The dropper rig is the most efficient way to fish moving water. You float a buoyant dry on top — a Parachute Adams, an Elk Hair Caddis, a hopper — and dangle a heavier nymph 12 to 24 inches below it on a separate piece of tippet. Two flies, two strike chances per drift.
Setting it up:
- Tie your dry fly to the leader using an improved clinch knot.
- Cut a 12–24 inch length of tippet, one size lighter than your leader tip (usually 5x or 6x).
- Tie one end of that tippet to the bend of the hook of the dry, also with a clinch knot.
- Tie your nymph to the other end of that tippet.
The dry doubles as a strike indicator. If it dips, pauses, or skates, set the hook — the nymph below has either found a fish or a rock. Most days, it's a rock; some days, it's the difference between zero fish and ten.
The signal the rig is wrong: your dry keeps sinking. The nymph is too heavy. Drop a fly size, or use a smaller bead head.