I used to be an avid fly line fly fisher. I just now got into using mono rigs and I got to say I have more fun than ever before. Absolutely love it. I also really appreciate the education provided here. Will certainly apply these techniques
Good stuff. And the key here is that at ANY moment, we can easily change leaders and use fly line presentations for what the fly line does well -- what it's build for. VIDEO: Lightning Fast Leader Changes ua-cam.com/video/4xmgbTfyNsg/v-deo.html
One of the better if not best video on casting streamers using the mono rig. I like to fish 4-4.6mm tungsten jig streamers and 1/16oz lead bunny jigs, and will give these casting methods a try on a new 4 weight mono rig.
Glad this is finally out. I am along for the ride for all of it. Super effective system and something I think more people need to try and experience the difference! Tight lines Dom and thanks for sharing with others all your knowledge.
Just started listening to the podcast and watching these videos. I have learned so much so quickly thanks to you and the boys. Keep up the good work! Definitely going to use the pendulum load cast in tight spots. Thanks!!
Hi Dom, Thanks for the casting tips. I broke off a tip section with a conehead once because I wasn't using a circle or oval cast. Hope you are able to do episode 3 soon and however more you have planned for this series. I've also seen your videos on the Fishing Discoveries nymphing content.
Love it... and yes, it helps a great deal. Just returned from a weekend on the Deschutes River in Oregon using my first mono rig. The “contact with the fly” experience was highly informative. This video answered some the questions fro the weekend. Thank you.
Hey Dom, I love the videos, love the podcasts, and love your stories. This has been my best year on the water and I hope to exceed it in 2022 thanks to your info and knowledge. Tight liines!
Best video I've seen on casting a mono rig! I've been trying to figure out the oval cast for the last year and haven't seen or read anything that comes close to this video. The commentary and footage is absolutely perfect. Great companion to the Troutbitten articles.
2 part question- I like throwing 3-4 inch Galloup flies on smaller spring creeks. boogie men, peanut envies, mini dungeons. I’ve got a 9’ 5wt and 9’ 7 wt. Both fast action. Which rod would be best for this rig? And if adding split shot, how far from the fly do you place it?
Definitely the 5 weight. I throw the same flies you are describing all the time. Seven weight is wholly unnecessary with the Mono Rig. Remember, you are not throwing the weight of a fly line anymore. Will you need to add split shot? I don't know. That depends on two things: How much weight is in your fly? And what do you want to do with the fly? (Get deep, mid column, move it fast or slow.) When I add shot I put it about ten inches above a streamer -- five inches above a nymph. But even that is conditional on how deep you want the streamer to ride. Most often, too, I simply use weight built into the flies. Plenty of the flies you mentioned have weight, usually. Make sense?
@@Troutbitten absolutely! I appreciate the reply. To me this makes sense fishing on smaller eastern creeks and be able to be stealthy and throw bigger stuff. Can’t wait to try it out. Also, I noticed on your formula online below the tippet ring you’ve got 36” for the top fly and 24” for the bottom fly. How long should your tippet be below the ring if you’re only throwing a single bug? And should you cater the tippet size to the streamer? IE boogie man = 0x? Thank ya sir.
@@tf3876 Right on. Honestly, it makes sense regardless of the river size or any need for stealth. Having precise control over the streamer, from beginning to end, especially because it's our job to move a streamer convincingly, is an enormous advantage. It's also fun. Regarding your tippet question: In the article where you referenced the leader formula, I make the point that the tippet should suit the conditions and the fly. All of what is below the sighter is variable. Here are a couple of resources to help answer your questions: PODCAST | TROUTBITTEN:Tippet Size, Strength, Length and Rigging: troutbitten.com/2023/05/21/podcast-talking-about-tippet-size-strength-length-and-rigging-s7-ep7/ ARTICLE | TROUTBITTEN: Let's Talk Tippet -- Three Questions . . . troutbitten.com/2017/08/09/lets-talk-tippet-three-questions-end-line-fly-fishing-rig/ Make sense? Dom
What I like best is I feel that I am spooking less fish too - I can double haul and get that line out there to streamer fish with my 6 weight WF line (floating or sinking), but I often wonder how much I am spooking fish with the heavy landing of the fly line - This system, not a long cast, but good tradeoff if I am more stealth - I am getting used to it and I can see the possibilities now.
Great stuff here! Quick question…. What is your opinion of using the mono rig to nymph from a drift boat. I tightline/euro nymph pretty exclusively when I wade but still fish a traditional flyline/indy rig on the drift boat. Im thinking this mono rig would work well. Thoughts?
Hi there. Tight line nymphing from a boat does not work very well, unless you anchor up the boat. Since the boat is going pretty much the speed of the current, that changes everything. You need to make an upstream cast for tight line nymphing to be most effective. However, you can take tight line principles and use the tight line advantage very well with an indy. That's how I nymph from a boat. It's deadly. troutbitten.com/2017/02/14/tight-line-nymphing-with-an-indicator-a-mono-rig-variant/ troutbitten.com/2022/11/25/video-the-tight-line-advantage-for-nymphs-indicators-streamers-and-dry-dropper/ Make sense? Dom
@@Troutbitten makes perfect sense. I’ll throw that bobber on my mono rig next time. Thank you for the treasure trove of knowledge. I’m a regular to your site and youtube channel. I better buy me a hat :)
This is all good...but what exactly IS the mono rig? is it just an entire line of mono? isnt that just conventional fishing without the mechanical reel?
Fair question. DIG IN, my friend. The answers are there for you. But they can never be contained in a single UA-cam video. I never leave you hanging. There's a full category of articles about the Mono Rig on Troutbitten. Over 150 articles just on that subject.This will get you started. troutbitten.com/the-mono-rig/ Hope that helps. Happy digging. And, no, honestly, it's neither of the things you said. It's not an entire length of mono. It's just a leader of about thirty feet. Keep the fly line on the reel. Is it conventional fishing without the reel? No, not at all, because a fly line cast is very necessary to make this work. Cheers.
Wow I must've missed the boat somewhere along the way that you were putting out all these videos! Having both the amazing articles you write coupled with these excellently produced videos (great sound, great composition, great angles, etc) is amazing, thanks so much for amazing content. I can't wait to get my Fish Hard hoodie!
@@Troutbitten If I ever get your way, I'd also love to book a trip with you! I'm sure you book up fast, but I think the amount I could refine in a session with you would be fantastic.
Just discovered your site, podcast and videos. Really digging your approach and ability to thoroughly analyze things. Looks like a heavily weighted streamer is crucial to casting this rig. I'm interested in trying it out here in Maine. How would it work with an unweighted Gartside soft hackle? Or unweighted wet flies?
Good point. For fishing streamers in any system, in any way, we need weight to get the fly down. You can build that weight into the fly, sure. But you can also use split shot. The great thing about the Mono Rig is that it requires less weight to get down. And because we aren't throwing sinking lines which are FAR heavier than even a heavier weighted fly, we can use lighter rods. No seven weights necessary.
Hi there. Everything depends, right? So, rod type and more factor in. But in general, I feel like any trout streamer up to about 5 inches casts well with this rig on a four weight. Remember, we aren't casting any weight of a fly line. I'll say two grams, if I had to put a number on it.
Hey Dom. Love the yt channel, podcast, and website. I did about 6 hours of TB pods today working on my house! Seems like you have affected the market for 20 lb Chameleon. That's the highest lb test price at Amazon at $26. Lol. Would Amnesia work for the long butt section? Also, why 20 lb and not 25 or 30? Any disadvantage to a high vis alternative for the long butt section, not stiff enough, weight? Would 25lb chameleon high vis resolve that? Any harm using HiVis line? What about a floating mono like Pline's Hydrofloat? .013" for 20lb. I'll donate to the site based on your answers. Ha ha. Seriously though, great vids! Might be booking you for a PA trip soon. 👍
Thanks for your question. You can sub any material you like, but it will change the performance of the leader for sure. Remember, there's a good reason for each part of the Mono Rig. Here's an article that will help explain. This is like the keystone to the full Mono Rig series on Troutbitten: Design and Function of the Troutbitten Standard Mono Rig troutbitten.com/2021/03/14/design-and-function-of-the-troutbitten-standard-mono-rig/ To answer you question: Do not us 25 of 30 lb Chameleon or Amnesia. Both are far too thick for a good mono rig build. You will lose the tight line advantage and be dealing with coiling issues as well. And yes, there are disadvantages to using a hi vis butt section. Any time you move away from Chameleon you will lose power and have more coil, especially in the winter, even after stretching. All colored lines tend to do this. There are other reasons as well. P Line Hydrafloat would be a very poor choice for a butt section, as it is a braid, designed to be supple, so it has no power. These lines are built to be cast with a weighted lure. With the Mono Rig, we are using the leader itself to do much of the work of casting. It PUSHES flies ot the target. It's Casting Not Lobbing troutbitten.com/2019/07/07/fly-fishing-the-mono-rig-its-casting-not-lobbing/ #2 Turnover and Tuck Cast -- The Nine Essential Skills for Tight Line and Euro Nymphing troutbitten.com/2021/06/27/2-turnover-and-the-tuck-cast-nine-essential-skills-for-tight-line-and-euro-nymphing/ Hope that helps. Cheers.
@@Troutbitten Thanks so much for the thorough response. I sent you a donation on your site. Sounds like your work has proven that Chameleon 20# is the optimum choice. Thanks for the work figuring that out. 👍 Would 15 lb Chameleon be ok to try out? I have a spool of that. Wouldn't handle streamers very well I suppose. Hydrofloat is a co-polymer I think, but it definitely would be too limp after re-reading its description and a couple of your articles. Floatation also doesn't seem important for a mono rig.
Just got back from the Salmon River NY. Never tried euro nymphing was always a chuck and Drucker. Caught three. I found your videos and website after my trip. I like what I'm reading on your site. Thanks by the way. On the SR I have to use a single weighted fly (regulations) QUESTION : Do you think the standard mono rig is the way to go. Or the mid size rigging. Or something in between? Thanks
Hi there. Yes, I do think the standard is the way to go. Here's why: troutbitten.com/2021/03/14/design-and-function-of-the-troutbitten-standard-mono-rig/
Good stuff as always, Dom! One question: What is the maximum length of leader can i expect to pick up for a circle cast, that is, before throwing more of it in the forward cast? In the video, it almost looks like you're picking up 20+ feet of leader outside the rod tip, which seems like a lot. But throwing a heavy streamer wouldn't require as much pickup becasue of how much I leader I can throwing in the final cast. Thansk much! Toney
Hi Toney. Good stuff. Like anything else, there are a lot a variables to consider for that question. I can throw more line if I'm on a boat, or even if I'm wading shallower. I can throw more line with a heavier streamer, because it helps carry the line with it. But in general, 30 feet is very comfortable, forty feet is pushing it. And fifty feet is just about maxed out. Make sense?
Man, this is awesome- thanks for taking the time to put these together. I know you mentioned the 4wt, but could you please go into a little more detail regarding rod selection for mono rigging? Would one be better off with a 10ft or 9ft? Would a 5wt be preferable to a 3wt? TIA
Hi. There are so many considerations to answering your question that it is not easy. It's all about what you want to do, how you like to cast, and how versatile you want to be. That said, for STREAMERS on the Mono Rig, I would not prefer the 3. I'd choose a 4 or 5 weight. But you can certainly fish small to medium streamers with a stiffer 3 weight, like an H3. Much more info about all of that here: troutbitten.com/tag/fly-rods/ Cheers. Dom
Do you ever find accuracy to be more of an issue with this rig ? I throw a lot of streamers smaller streams with lots of overhanging trees, tight quarters etc. If you don't have the space for circle casting etc, would that be an issue ?
Hi there. Fair question. But no, in fact I believe I'm more accurate with this rig. Trouble with a fly line then the leader, then the fly, is that you're kind of casting 3 different things. With this rig, it's the leader and the fly, just 2 things. And remember, although I showed the circle cast, the leader is built to function like a fly line if you treat it that way -- meaning, you can throw tight loops when necessary, to get under branches and things. Make sense? Dom
It's awesome that you are doing videos now! It really helps for someone like myself to see the concepts you present on Troutbitten in action! (Being a visual learner that is) I'm sure I'm not the only one who finds this super helpful! Please keep them coming! Also, Troutbitten is one of the best resources I've come across for those of us that want to be better anglers! Thanks for the great content!
Hi Fred. It's really more about casting with speed between two points than weight. troutbitten.com/2018/11/25/quick-tips-put-more-juice-in-the-cast/ I had a pair of streamers on there. (I fish that way a lot.) And we hoped that two flies would also show up better than just one. The overall weight was about 125 centigrams. For reference, in my box, that's about what my #8 stoneflies with tungsten beads and lead wraps weigh. Cheers. Dom
Your word choices are very helpful to me to connect the images to the actions. Reminds me of being in the river with you, looking forward to the trip this spring. Thanks for teaching and sharing! Love that music, is that you playing?
Hi. It's not my favorite because it has less power, so it pushes less. You can learn more about butt sections and the preferences of other anglers like George Daniel, Lance Wilt, Pat Weiss, Torrey Collins, Lance Egan, Davy Wotten, Devin Olsen etc., in the Troutbitten article found here: troutbitten.com/2018/01/24/ask-an-expert-for-euro-nymphing-or-the-mono-rig-what-leader-material-do-you-like-for-the-butt-section/ Hope that helps. Cheers. Dom
Hi Tim. Good question. I talk a little about that in episode one, and I also mention and link to it in the supporting article for this video (linked in the description). It's green OPST Lazar Line. It's nearly the same diameter as my favorite Chameleon butt section, but not quite as powerful, so it pushes less. You can learn more about butt sections and the preferences of other anglers like George Daniel, Lance Wilt, Pat Weiss, Torrey Collins, Lance Egan, Davy Wotten, Devin Olsen etc., in the Troutbitten article found here: troutbitten.com/2018/01/24/ask-an-expert-for-euro-nymphing-or-the-mono-rig-what-leader-material-do-you-like-for-the-butt-section/ Make sense? Cheers. Dom
Dom, this is such great info, seeing is believing. Love your way of circling up to load a heavy streamer and then shooting. Way better than "chuck and duck". Will you cover leading the streamer, and streamer position? This opens up lots of opportunities in addition to the classic swing. Great, innovative stuff!
Thanks, Stephen. I'm glad you connect with it. Yes, the next video covers some of the unique approaches that the Mono Rig style offers us. And that is very much focused on how we can lead the streamer and how the head is positioned -- because we have control of those things. Cheers. Dom
Also, your circle cast taps into a skagit type continual load spey cast. Rather than a back cast, you load the rod, circle the load around letting it stay loaded, then forward cast. Brilliant.
Dom I notice your mono leader/line appears to be green. Is this a different material your using? Would this be the same rig you would use for you nymphs?
Hi there. Good question. I talk a little about that in episode one, and I also mention and link to it in the supporting article for this video (linked in the description). It's green OPST Lazar Line. It's nearly the same diameter as my favorite Chameleon butt section, but not quite as powerful. Cheers. Dom
Thanks josh always looking for easy acronyms to give people to help learn. This’ll be an easy one for new casters to remember, and to be real it’s great for spey casting too. Especially on the load.
I used to be an avid fly line fly fisher. I just now got into using mono rigs and I got to say I have more fun than ever before. Absolutely love it. I also really appreciate the education provided here. Will certainly apply these techniques
Good stuff. And the key here is that at ANY moment, we can easily change leaders and use fly line presentations for what the fly line does well -- what it's build for.
VIDEO: Lightning Fast Leader Changes
ua-cam.com/video/4xmgbTfyNsg/v-deo.html
One of the better if not best video on casting streamers using the mono rig. I like to fish 4-4.6mm tungsten jig streamers and 1/16oz lead bunny jigs, and will give these casting methods a try on a new 4 weight mono rig.
Thanks very much.
Such a good series, man. Looking forward to more!
Cheers.
Glad this is finally out. I am along for the ride for all of it. Super effective system and something I think more people need to try and experience the difference! Tight lines Dom and thanks for sharing with others all your knowledge.
Cheers, buddy.
Just started listening to the podcast and watching these videos. I have learned so much so quickly thanks to you and the boys. Keep up the good work! Definitely going to use the pendulum load cast in tight spots. Thanks!!
Love it. Go get 'em.
I absolutely love fishing this rig, thanks for turning me on to it!
Right on. I love it too. All about contact and control over the path of the flies.
Good job breaking it down! Very helpful.
Thanks
Thank you for taking the time to make this system and information so accessible. I can't wait to try something new on the water!
Cheers.
Fantastic 👍
Thank you! Cheers.
Looking forward to the next video. Caught my first trout on the mono rig thanks to all of your advise on troutbitten.
Glad to hear it, man.
Awesome information, please keep posting!
Thank you. It's in the works.
Great topic - excellent explanation and demo as well! Thanks!
Cheers. Thanks, Brian.
Continued great stuff!
Cheers
This is innovation 👌🏻
Cheers
yup - very helpful
Cheers.
A good quality video that shows the circle/loop cast really well. Love the pendulum cast.
Cheers
Very interesting and informative, I’m subbed sir!
Nice
Hi Dom, Thanks for the casting tips. I broke off a tip section with a conehead once because I wasn't using a circle or oval cast. Hope you are able to do episode 3 soon and however more you have planned for this series. I've also seen your videos on the Fishing Discoveries nymphing content.
I break rods too. Ha
Love it... and yes, it helps a great deal. Just returned from a weekend on the Deschutes River in Oregon using my first mono rig. The “contact with the fly” experience was highly informative. This video answered some the questions fro the weekend. Thank you.
Ah, good stuff. Dom
Are the other video episodes that follow up on the first two? Just love the series so far.
Thanks. Actually, there's another one in the Fly Fishing the Mono Rig series coming in a few days. That one is about casting vs lobbing.
Hey Dom, I love the videos, love the podcasts, and love your stories. This has been my best year on the water and I hope to exceed it in 2022 thanks to your info and knowledge. Tight liines!
Thanks so much.
Best video I've seen on casting a mono rig! I've been trying to figure out the oval cast for the last year and haven't seen or read anything that comes close to this video. The commentary and footage is absolutely perfect. Great companion to the Troutbitten articles.
Thanks. That's kind.
very informative thanks for the lesson
My pleasure!
2 part question- I like throwing 3-4 inch Galloup flies on smaller spring creeks. boogie men, peanut envies, mini dungeons. I’ve got a 9’ 5wt and 9’ 7 wt. Both fast action. Which rod would be best for this rig? And if adding split shot, how far from the fly do you place it?
Definitely the 5 weight. I throw the same flies you are describing all the time. Seven weight is wholly unnecessary with the Mono Rig. Remember, you are not throwing the weight of a fly line anymore. Will you need to add split shot? I don't know. That depends on two things: How much weight is in your fly? And what do you want to do with the fly? (Get deep, mid column, move it fast or slow.)
When I add shot I put it about ten inches above a streamer -- five inches above a nymph. But even that is conditional on how deep you want the streamer to ride. Most often, too, I simply use weight built into the flies. Plenty of the flies you mentioned have weight, usually.
Make sense?
@@Troutbitten absolutely! I appreciate the reply. To me this makes sense fishing on smaller eastern creeks and be able to be stealthy and throw bigger stuff. Can’t wait to try it out. Also, I noticed on your formula online below the tippet ring you’ve got 36” for the top fly and 24” for the bottom fly. How long should your tippet be below the ring if you’re only throwing a single bug? And should you cater the tippet size to the streamer? IE boogie man = 0x? Thank ya sir.
@@tf3876 Right on. Honestly, it makes sense regardless of the river size or any need for stealth. Having precise control over the streamer, from beginning to end, especially because it's our job to move a streamer convincingly, is an enormous advantage. It's also fun.
Regarding your tippet question: In the article where you referenced the leader formula, I make the point that the tippet should suit the conditions and the fly. All of what is below the sighter is variable.
Here are a couple of resources to help answer your questions:
PODCAST | TROUTBITTEN:Tippet Size, Strength, Length and Rigging:
troutbitten.com/2023/05/21/podcast-talking-about-tippet-size-strength-length-and-rigging-s7-ep7/
ARTICLE | TROUTBITTEN: Let's Talk Tippet -- Three Questions . . .
troutbitten.com/2017/08/09/lets-talk-tippet-three-questions-end-line-fly-fishing-rig/
Make sense?
Dom
Thanks - these are the perfect addendum to your essays and articles. Just what I need as we are waiting for ice out
Cheers
What I like best is I feel that I am spooking less fish too - I can double haul and get that line out there to streamer fish with my 6 weight WF line (floating or sinking), but I often wonder how much I am spooking fish with the heavy landing of the fly line - This system, not a long cast, but good tradeoff if I am more stealth - I am getting used to it and I can see the possibilities now.
Very true!
Great stuff here! Quick question…. What is your opinion of using the mono rig to nymph from a drift boat. I tightline/euro nymph pretty exclusively when I wade but still fish a traditional flyline/indy rig on the drift boat. Im thinking this mono rig would work well. Thoughts?
Hi there. Tight line nymphing from a boat does not work very well, unless you anchor up the boat. Since the boat is going pretty much the speed of the current, that changes everything. You need to make an upstream cast for tight line nymphing to be most effective. However, you can take tight line principles and use the tight line advantage very well with an indy. That's how I nymph from a boat. It's deadly.
troutbitten.com/2017/02/14/tight-line-nymphing-with-an-indicator-a-mono-rig-variant/
troutbitten.com/2022/11/25/video-the-tight-line-advantage-for-nymphs-indicators-streamers-and-dry-dropper/
Make sense?
Dom
@@Troutbitten makes perfect sense. I’ll throw that bobber on my mono rig next time. Thank you for the treasure trove of knowledge. I’m a regular to your site and youtube channel. I better buy me a hat :)
@@thedousehousewatercolorexp5745 Ha. Cheers. Get you a hat.
This is all good...but what exactly IS the mono rig? is it just an entire line of mono? isnt that just conventional fishing without the mechanical reel?
Fair question. DIG IN, my friend. The answers are there for you. But they can never be contained in a single UA-cam video. I never leave you hanging. There's a full category of articles about the Mono Rig on Troutbitten. Over 150 articles just on that subject.This will get you started.
troutbitten.com/the-mono-rig/
Hope that helps. Happy digging.
And, no, honestly, it's neither of the things you said. It's not an entire length of mono. It's just a leader of about thirty feet. Keep the fly line on the reel. Is it conventional fishing without the reel? No, not at all, because a fly line cast is very necessary to make this work.
Cheers.
@@Troutbitten short story long could this solve the issue of trout getting spooked by the fly line?
Awesome content, production quality, and artistic work. Well done!
Thank, buddy.
Wow I must've missed the boat somewhere along the way that you were putting out all these videos! Having both the amazing articles you write coupled with these excellently produced videos (great sound, great composition, great angles, etc) is amazing, thanks so much for amazing content. I can't wait to get my Fish Hard hoodie!
Ha. Thank you. Cheers.
@@Troutbitten If I ever get your way, I'd also love to book a trip with you! I'm sure you book up fast, but I think the amount I could refine in a session with you would be fantastic.
@@TheFlyFishingFilmmaker Right on. Be in touch. We'll have a good time and learn a lot. Cheers.
Just discovered your site, podcast and videos. Really digging your approach and ability to thoroughly analyze things. Looks like a heavily weighted streamer is crucial to casting this rig. I'm interested in trying it out here in Maine. How would it work with an unweighted Gartside soft hackle? Or unweighted wet flies?
Good point. For fishing streamers in any system, in any way, we need weight to get the fly down. You can build that weight into the fly, sure. But you can also use split shot. The great thing about the Mono Rig is that it requires less weight to get down. And because we aren't throwing sinking lines which are FAR heavier than even a heavier weighted fly, we can use lighter rods. No seven weights necessary.
Hello, these are the videos I was looking for 👏👏👏 . I would like to ask a question. How heavy can my streamer be if I use a 4 rod? Greetings from 🇨🇱
Hi there. Everything depends, right? So, rod type and more factor in. But in general, I feel like any trout streamer up to about 5 inches casts well with this rig on a four weight. Remember, we aren't casting any weight of a fly line. I'll say two grams, if I had to put a number on it.
Hey Dom. Love the yt channel, podcast, and website. I did about 6 hours of TB pods today working on my house!
Seems like you have affected the market for 20 lb Chameleon. That's the highest lb test price at Amazon at $26. Lol.
Would Amnesia work for the long butt section? Also, why 20 lb and not 25 or 30? Any disadvantage to a high vis alternative for the long butt section, not stiff enough, weight? Would 25lb chameleon high vis resolve that? Any harm using HiVis line? What about a floating mono like Pline's Hydrofloat? .013" for 20lb.
I'll donate to the site based on your answers. Ha ha.
Seriously though, great vids! Might be booking you for a PA trip soon. 👍
Thanks for your question. You can sub any material you like, but it will change the performance of the leader for sure. Remember, there's a good reason for each part of the Mono Rig. Here's an article that will help explain. This is like the keystone to the full Mono Rig series on Troutbitten:
Design and Function of the Troutbitten Standard Mono Rig
troutbitten.com/2021/03/14/design-and-function-of-the-troutbitten-standard-mono-rig/
To answer you question: Do not us 25 of 30 lb Chameleon or Amnesia. Both are far too thick for a good mono rig build. You will lose the tight line advantage and be dealing with coiling issues as well.
And yes, there are disadvantages to using a hi vis butt section. Any time you move away from Chameleon you will lose power and have more coil, especially in the winter, even after stretching. All colored lines tend to do this. There are other reasons as well.
P Line Hydrafloat would be a very poor choice for a butt section, as it is a braid, designed to be supple, so it has no power. These lines are built to be cast with a weighted lure. With the Mono Rig, we are using the leader itself to do much of the work of casting. It PUSHES flies ot the target.
It's Casting Not Lobbing
troutbitten.com/2019/07/07/fly-fishing-the-mono-rig-its-casting-not-lobbing/
#2 Turnover and Tuck Cast -- The Nine Essential Skills for Tight Line and Euro Nymphing
troutbitten.com/2021/06/27/2-turnover-and-the-tuck-cast-nine-essential-skills-for-tight-line-and-euro-nymphing/
Hope that helps.
Cheers.
@@Troutbitten Thanks so much for the thorough response. I sent you a donation on your site. Sounds like your work has proven that Chameleon 20# is the optimum choice. Thanks for the work figuring that out. 👍
Would 15 lb Chameleon be ok to try out? I have a spool of that. Wouldn't handle streamers very well I suppose.
Hydrofloat is a co-polymer I think, but it definitely would be too limp after re-reading its description and a couple of your articles. Floatation also doesn't seem important for a mono rig.
Just got back from the Salmon River NY. Never tried euro nymphing was always a chuck and Drucker. Caught three. I found your videos and website after my trip. I like what I'm reading on your site. Thanks by the way. On the SR I have to use a single weighted fly (regulations)
QUESTION :
Do you think the standard mono rig is the way to go. Or the mid size rigging. Or something in between?
Thanks
Hi there. Yes, I do think the standard is the way to go. Here's why:
troutbitten.com/2021/03/14/design-and-function-of-the-troutbitten-standard-mono-rig/
Good stuff as always, Dom! One question: What is the maximum length of leader can i expect to pick up for a circle cast, that is, before throwing more of it in the forward cast? In the video, it almost looks like you're picking up 20+ feet of leader outside the rod tip, which seems like a lot. But throwing a heavy streamer wouldn't require as much pickup becasue of how much I leader I can throwing in the final cast. Thansk much! Toney
Hi Toney. Good stuff. Like anything else, there are a lot a variables to consider for that question. I can throw more line if I'm on a boat, or even if I'm wading shallower. I can throw more line with a heavier streamer, because it helps carry the line with it. But in general, 30 feet is very comfortable, forty feet is pushing it. And fifty feet is just about maxed out.
Make sense?
Man, this is awesome- thanks for taking the time to put these together.
I know you mentioned the 4wt, but could you please go into a little more detail regarding rod selection for mono rigging? Would one be better off with a 10ft or 9ft? Would a 5wt be preferable to a 3wt?
TIA
Hi. There are so many considerations to answering your question that it is not easy. It's all about what you want to do, how you like to cast, and how versatile you want to be. That said, for STREAMERS on the Mono Rig, I would not prefer the 3. I'd choose a 4 or 5 weight. But you can certainly fish small to medium streamers with a stiffer 3 weight, like an H3.
Much more info about all of that here:
troutbitten.com/tag/fly-rods/
Cheers.
Dom
I'm a visual learner so this is great stuff. Can't wait to try it out to get the visual and rod feel into my muscle memory!
Good luck, Mike!
Do you ever find accuracy to be more of an issue with this rig ? I throw a lot of streamers smaller streams with lots of overhanging trees, tight quarters etc. If you don't have the space for circle casting etc, would that be an issue ?
Hi there. Fair question. But no, in fact I believe I'm more accurate with this rig. Trouble with a fly line then the leader, then the fly, is that you're kind of casting 3 different things. With this rig, it's the leader and the fly, just 2 things. And remember, although I showed the circle cast, the leader is built to function like a fly line if you treat it that way -- meaning, you can throw tight loops when necessary, to get under branches and things.
Make sense?
Dom
It's awesome that you are doing videos now! It really helps for someone like myself to see the concepts you present on Troutbitten in action! (Being a visual learner that is) I'm sure I'm not the only one who finds this super helpful! Please keep them coming! Also, Troutbitten is one of the best resources I've come across for those of us that want to be better anglers! Thanks for the great content!
Kind words. I appreciate the support, man.
Dom
Thanks, keep up with the good work.
Cheers.
Dom
Great information. Looks like you had a fair a fair amount of weight in your flies to get that much "jump" to your line.
Hi Fred.
It's really more about casting with speed between two points than weight.
troutbitten.com/2018/11/25/quick-tips-put-more-juice-in-the-cast/
I had a pair of streamers on there. (I fish that way a lot.) And we hoped that two flies would also show up better than just one. The overall weight was about 125 centigrams. For reference, in my box, that's about what my #8 stoneflies with tungsten beads and lead wraps weigh.
Cheers.
Dom
Your word choices are very helpful to me to connect the images to the actions. Reminds me of being in the river with you, looking forward to the trip this spring. Thanks for teaching and sharing! Love that music, is that you playing?
Thanks, Scott. No, not me playing guitar. But I like the choice as well.
Excellent, thank you! How do you find the OPST line to use compared to the Maxima?
Hi. It's not my favorite because it has less power, so it pushes less.
You can learn more about butt sections and the preferences of other anglers like George Daniel, Lance Wilt, Pat Weiss, Torrey Collins, Lance Egan, Davy Wotten, Devin Olsen etc., in the Troutbitten article found here:
troutbitten.com/2018/01/24/ask-an-expert-for-euro-nymphing-or-the-mono-rig-what-leader-material-do-you-like-for-the-butt-section/
Hope that helps.
Cheers.
Dom
@@Troutbitten Excellent, thanks mate!
Right on
Are you using Amnesia line in this video? Thanks for posting this video.
Hi Tim.
Good question. I talk a little about that in episode one, and I also mention and link to it in the supporting article for this video (linked in the description). It's green OPST Lazar Line. It's nearly the same diameter as my favorite Chameleon butt section, but not quite as powerful, so it pushes less.
You can learn more about butt sections and the preferences of other anglers like George Daniel, Lance Wilt, Pat Weiss, Torrey Collins, Lance Egan, Davy Wotten, Devin Olsen etc., in the Troutbitten article found here:
troutbitten.com/2018/01/24/ask-an-expert-for-euro-nymphing-or-the-mono-rig-what-leader-material-do-you-like-for-the-butt-section/
Make sense?
Cheers.
Dom
@@Troutbitten Yep, makes sense. I could tell by the color that it probably wasn't your usual 20# Chameleon.
Dom, this is such great info, seeing is believing. Love your way of circling up to load a heavy streamer and then shooting. Way better than "chuck and duck". Will you cover leading the streamer, and streamer position? This opens up lots of opportunities in addition to the classic swing.
Great, innovative stuff!
Thanks, Stephen. I'm glad you connect with it.
Yes, the next video covers some of the unique approaches that the Mono Rig style offers us. And that is very much focused on how we can lead the streamer and how the head is positioned -- because we have control of those things.
Cheers.
Dom
Also, your circle cast taps into a skagit type continual load spey cast. Rather than a back cast, you load the rod, circle the load around letting it stay loaded, then forward cast. Brilliant.
Dom I notice your mono leader/line appears to be green. Is this a different material your using? Would this be the same rig you would use for you nymphs?
Hi there. Good question. I talk a little about that in episode one, and I also mention and link to it in the supporting article for this video (linked in the description). It's green OPST Lazar Line. It's nearly the same diameter as my favorite Chameleon butt section, but not quite as powerful.
Cheers.
Dom
Gotta have the “TATS”. Tension At The Start
There ya go.
Thanks josh always looking for easy acronyms to give people to help learn. This’ll be an easy one for new casters to remember, and to be real it’s great for spey casting too. Especially on the load.
Thank you 🙏
Right on.
👍✌🏻
Cheers
Sad for the 4 people who thumbed down, hate fishing and have no souls.
Ha. Yeah, I guess so.