Nymphing with Commando Heads - OPST

Many people have wondered how Commando Heads fish with nymph rigs. For both casting and mending, it turns out that the same short, powerful head that launches sink tips with ease allows you to throw heavy-duty nymph rigs as well- bobbers, multiple split shot, two eggs, a dead cat, the whole nine yards. This video is Jon Ng's first time ever with a Commando Head, and it won't be his last. We captured his first casts and his first impression, and his transition to nymphing, which he does most of the time. We had to import him from California to make this video for us, because, just to be clear to the Inquisitors, we do not condone nymph fishing for steelhead in any way. But we did make a video about it.

But seriously, be responsible. Sometimes indicator fish counts can get a little ridiculous.

[mikemcguire]

The great strength of a Skagit system is that it will cast anything short of an anvil--heavy nymph rig no problem and no effort. Mending is a breeze until some running line is out, and then it really doesn't matter what it is mono or otherwise--it just doesn't have enough weight. This suggests using something heavier for running line like maybe the belly section of one of the heavier double weight lines. You sacrifice some maximum distance but get a better mending range. I may just have to try that.

[self-taught_angler]

This did not make sense to me.

He is talking about mending at a 50ft cast. Skagit heads are weight backward. On a 50ft cast with a 12-15ft head (without a tip), there is a good 20-25ft thin running line between you and the head. How is he managing to lift the head let alone transferring that lift towards the tip?

One can even witness this in the video. In the cast at 2:44, the head lands well away from the rock in front of him, but just after the cast (in the shoulder view) when he mends, he is only able to manage the running line in front of the rock.

[curtismartin]

All these videos using this set-up shows all theses beautiful casts. No one shows anyone catching anything. Do you drift to catch fish or just spend the day casting beautiful lines?

[Kelberi]

Human ; go up dog.

Dog ; seriously? It is steep.

[diegocarsalade]

Suuuper, pero donde esta el "fish"?

[PathLessPedaledTV]

Oh. Nice. Didn't think to nymph with them.

[jasrobsny]

Is he nymphing with a floating head or sink tip?

[Jaimelapoesie]

I loved these OPST videos, but how about one where people actually catch fish rather than swinging a line around like Zorro?

[mobilejohnm]

Looks awesome! What wt/length rod is Jon using? Also, what size Commando head and Lazer line? Many thanks for sharing!

[LouisianaSpey]

My biggest problems with this is getting flies to turn over

[andrewcampbell]

i have a temple fork outfitters lefty kreh signature II 9' 8weight single hand i want to nymph/swing streamers with, any thought on commando head weight? thanks in advance

[codyunczur]

Would you recommend a float tip for nymphing? Or just running tippet from the commando head?

[nicpeel]

What's being used for running line while nymphing? It doesn't look like lazer line...

[counterpoint]

OPST system casts great but is crap to mend with lazar line. Too light to lift head.

[DanielSwe]

What type of floating tip is used for this setup, or is the rig attached straight to the shooting head?
I fish a 13 feet rod with a 375gr commando head, any recommendations?