Most Simple Nymph Setup EVER // Breaking the Rules!

Nymph fishing doesn't have to be complicated! Use this strategy when working downstream on small to mid-sized water. Nymph fishing is a technique used in fly fishing where anglers imitate the aquatic nymph stage of insects. Nymphs are juvenile forms of insects such as mayflies, caddisflies, stoneflies, and midges, which live underwater before emerging as adults. Since nymphs are a major food source for trout and other freshwater fish, nymph fishing can be highly effective, especially in rivers and streams.

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0:00 Intro
1:02 Why So Many "Rules"?
1:38 Fishing Your Way Back Downstream
2:08 How to Do It. EASY
3:23 Fish ON!

[baileyboy]

My God, this was such a relief to watch. This is how my grandfather taught me decades ago but like so many of us as an adult I have let myself get caught up with the latest approach, the latest trend. Refreshing to see someone saying, it's OK to keep it simple.

[instructor]

I have caught most of my fish with this technique. I just started doing it when I was new to fly fishing and didn’t know what I was doing. Thanks for a great video.

[brettneuberger]

This could be my favorite tip EVER. Fish up with a dry, fish down with a single nymph — keeping it so simple! Thanks!

[jamesbrede]

I gotta say joe, you are a HELL of a dad !!! No more said.

[imagingconcepts]

Rules really are overrated!! I really enjoy your content but it’s your passing the gift to your kids that has made me a fan, excellent work!!

[soopernate]

Thank you for bringing back an old school technique. Refreshing and nostalgic at the same time.

[mikeclement]

Bro... I never knew any of this stuff. I never looked online or fished with anyone that told me the correct way to nymph.

I always just use a single nymph on my line and swing it like a streamer. I'm totally relieved this is way to go.

I will say... I lose a LOT of nymphs to the shale bottom.


Edit: I just started watching fly fishing videos because I finished all the THP videos and tried some fly fishing variants. Total mind blow seeing all the different methods and setups.

[silvercreekflyfishing]

This opened my eyes. One of the reasons I love fly fishing; no rules. Definitely gonna try this on the deschutes this weekend. Thank you for your knowledge, it helps noobs like me improve every day.

[gbossaboy]

When I was a kid this was referred to as the "Leisenring Lift" often used with wet flies and soft hackles - the key being allowing the current to pull the leader tight and raise the fly through the water column.

[briankelly]

I've been doing this for decades, I always thought I was doing things wrong (while I catch a lot of fish). I take it one step further though, I'll strip 8-10 feet of line off the reel and feed the fly down stream quickly after the swing. It ends the whole cast like a 8-10 foot dead drift.
This really does work. To heck with the purists who criticize it!

[ghice]

Hey Joe, Love your videos and love the beginning of this one with both your boys hooking up on a Rainbow and then talking trash on who's the largest 😊 ... I actually fish this way all the time when I'm Euro Nymphing ... 99% of the time I allow my drift to swing to the end and rest there a few seconds ... It's amazing how many strikes I get at the end if the swing ... Great video and wonderful advice ... Tight Lines from Tennessee 🎣

[ozangler]

G'Day Joe,
Great to see you out fishing with your kids--priceless moments for all of you.
I recall many years ago catching my first stream trout on a swung wet fly. I need to get back to more basic presentations as you suggest. Swung wet flies and nymphs have caught fish long before fly fishing became burdened with rules and snobbery. When our Victoria, Australia streams reopen in September, I think I'll swing nymphs and wets and see how I go. Wading downstream has to be easier on my legs than battling upstream against the current. On my last river trip with a mate before COVID19 reared its ugly head, I slipped and got dunked twice after the current threw me off balance even though I had a wading stick. Dodgy knees and shoulders-- getting old is a crock but, I guess it's preferable to the other alternative!
Thanks for this advice. I enjoy all your videos and look forward to watching more.
Cheers,
Steve.

[gregtarris]

I do this all the time. I prefer a fly like a bead headed woolly bugger black and about 2 feet behind size 20 zebra midge. I think the big fly attracts fish ( they sometimes take it) but then they see the midge as easy takings. I have also used a soft hackle as tail fly very effectively. Thanks for the review!

[ljr]

Great tip. I fish like this all the time. I typically take one rod, a 5wt and interchange between dry flies and nymphs often. My favorite setup has been a 7.5’ 3x tapered to a tippet ring then 3x, 4x, or 5x tippet. Sometimes people get intimidated with the highly technical setups and this proves that simple works just fine. 👍

[Midgek]

Great for streamers as well - a pause after the end of the swing is a necessity . Great tip for nymph fishing thanks

[smau]

This is the content I want to see. On the location, actually showing how it's done in compact form. Thanks!

[mikekrol]

How many people have stumbled through fly fishing without these great shortcuts? I see them daily. Thanks Joe. I learned the value of the swing empirically. You could have saved me much time. Great vids.

[richarde]

Yet another quality Red’s Fly Shop video! Beautiful water, Joe. So fun to see your boys fishing with you.

[paulcolson]

An ole doc I used to fish with had about as much patience as these young fellas probably do and fished nymphs the same way and with much success. His mantra was “I just want something jerking on my line. Don’t care about the fancy stuff!” Great video.

[cachi-]

One hundred percent agreed! This is how I fish 99% of the time because as you said it’s easy, clean and a heck of a lot of fun. I don’t like using strike indicators or weights to get down to the bottom. I’m lazy but I also like the purity of the system with just your nymph and nothing else. I might not catch as many fish as others might with different setups but I think I enjoy it more and that’s what matters to me. Which river is this, Joe? It looks like the Yak but it cannot be cause you’re wading.