Dropper fly setup

[MatchT]

Hello all,

I have been fly fishing a sinking line setup with a wooly bugger tied on to my tapered leader followed by an 18" tippet to the bend of the hook. on the end of the tippet I typically tie a smaller wet fly. I land fish on both flies....

My question, If I try dry fly fishing, with two small flies, one floating and one wet fly....how do you do a tandem setup without sinking the small dry fly? for example a #22 black midge dry followed by a Tungston bead wd40?[]


I didn't have much luck throwing dry flies early this year and I would like to attempt floating line once again.

Thanks for any tips and advice.
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[HFT]

The tungsten bead will probably sink a #22 midge, turning it into an emerger. A glass bead might be a better choice. That may still sink a midge that small. no bead at all might be best. If your attractor was bigger then it gives you more options for tandem.

Your rigging will work for tandem fishing.
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[flygoddess]

I got to say, it will depend on the size of the dropper.

I do fish #22 dries and a #22 bead head WD40. First I make sure my leader (not so much the tippet as I prefer it to sit IN the film.) floats.

Then I Mucilin, Aqual, whatever floatant the dry, but ALWAYS Frog Fanny dust.

It floats. In a faster current, like James said, it will turn into an emerger, but that is a good thing also.

One thing I do different. I (as you know use Furled Leaders) attach a 4' to 5' piece of Fluoro/mono/tippet/regular line in the poundage I need (ex: 2, 4, 6lb) I attach it to the ring on my leader with a clinch. then about 18" to 24" down, I attach the dry with a Surgeon's loop. Then I attach the dropper on the end.
OR, I will attach a 6" tag in the 18" to 24" then attach the Dry. I use the tag if I know I will be changing out the dry or in slow currents/pools.
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[FOD]

Frog fanny is my favorite. [] I learned about it in Montana.

If I use any dropper I am usually fishing big dries like hoppers and stimulators. But you can get away with a caddis or drake if you use small droppers like somebody already said.
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[MatchT]

Thanks everyone,

I have tried droppers on bigger flies too. I just didn't think it would work well to tie on to the bend of the hook of the dry fly.

I think using the tag end makes sense.... Will post results when I try someday....

sinking line has been good to me lately and not sure if a dry fly will work yet this time of year, I'm typically out by 8am and done by noon.

thanks all....
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[flygoddess]

You know I look forward to reports[]
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