Rio Compensator tips

[pescador do mosca]

How do you guys feel about using the compensator tip + 15 ft. tip vs. the Big Boy tips alone and/or with the comoensator as far as achieving depth and "zone consistency"? (Goofy, but the only way I could figure out how to term it :confused: )

Thanks!:beer2:

[Steve Buckner]

The beauty of todays fly lines is that they allow the fisherman to adjust to each circumstance and it's the small adjustments that pay off big dividends. I've been able to hit the river bottom using a compensator and a type III in places where I never hit bottom using just a type VIII tip. That said, there are other places that I still can't get down deep enough without using lots of mass, ie, the big boy tips.

As you know, every situation is going to be different based upon the species you're purusing, the time of year, the depth and size of the river you're fishing and each run may have it's own unique set of requirements.

I prefer using a compensator if I can get by with it. I find it easier to cast the compensator and relatively light sink-tips (at sink rates from 3" to 8" per second at approximately 120 grains) than throwing 500 grain heads but there are situations where dense, light tips still won't get the fly down - then it's time to pull out the big boy tips.

[fredaevans]

here's the 'cheap seats' answer.:hmmm:

Take a full floater (more WF the better for the grain mass) and attach a three foot section of 25-30 pound Maxima main line (NOT leader material) to the end (this can also be the butt section of a 'regular' leader). Put a loop on the end and attach the sink tip 'loop to loop.'

Slow up your casting stroke a bit and the above will shoot out like a rocket (I've been doing the above for 20++ years). The 'shot of mono' acts just like the RIO compensator as it allows the 'tip' to drop below the floater WITHOUT having to pull the floating part under (which is 'counter-productive' and why RIO came out with the compensator to begin with).

[Charles Sullivan]

Mr. Evans,
I've been thinking of using a section of mono between the floating and sinking portions of the fly line. I used to do it for ladlocks back east to get around the no weight reg.'s. We used a longer piece of mono and a shorter sink tip, and single handed rods.
We would cast quartering upstream. Nymph the top part and swing the bottom. We were fishing "strymphs" (wooly buggers etc.) have you ever tried such a tactic? I've never tried it with a spey rod. It seems like the extra length would be helpful.
Any ideas on this technique?
cds

[fredaevans]

SS, I've not tried the 'mono-compens.' with a single handed rod. I suspect, given the compact nature of a single handed cast vs. the more open one of a spey, the 'mono in the middle' would hinge like heck. That said, nothing to say a shorter section (12"?) might work just fine. How long was the mono section you were using with the SH?

With a two hander you can place your sink tip where you want same, but a tad down stream quartering is what I'd recommend. Reason being (at least here on the Rogue) is as soon as the line hits the water you want to throw in an up-stream mend so the fly(s) and sink tip/T-14 are all down stream from the floating section of the line. (Think dead drift nymphing.)

Lot of fellows will just 'swing' a sink tip, or quartering/swing, but I've found (again, for where I fish) this is the least successful of the presentations.

[Charles Sullivan]

Mr. Evans,
Yes they hinged. I got fairly good at casting them, although it wasn't pretty. It was a bear at times. We also used longer mono sections and short tungston tips. Casts were shorter than when truly swinging. Make no mistake, it was an attempt to circumvent the reg.'s which were put in place to prevent snagging not nymphing. I think I'll need to experiment with this technique for Dollies this fall first.
Do you get many strikes early in the swing or in deeper/faster water?
The river that I fish was very clear last season and I think that was partially why I wasn't succeful. I believe that the fish were deeeper than the water I was able to fish succesfully with my Rio tips. Also there is a good amount of pressure. This may also push the fish into deeeper/faster water.
cds

[fredaevans]

First, it's "Fred," unless you're hell bent on giving me a complex (like I'm older than dirt, which is close to the truth;) ) Roger that on finding fish in 'rolly water' rather than in the normal "lies.";) Rogue fish are typically bottom huggers so it's get down and stay there if you want a even a passing chance at hooking up. Frequently we're using some sort of tip even in low water conditions along with a weighted fly to assure it stays 'down there' in the rocks. Cost you fly's? You bet, but better to loose a few and have a fair chance at getting the fishes attention.

Vis a vis the deeper/faster water this seems to be a early/late in the day thing for me. Bright sunny day ... after about 10AM: forgetaboutit. Back to the fast (even if only a foot or two deep) 'rapid' type flows. Hour or two before dark the fish (seem anyway) to move back into the "deeper" slower flows for the evening/night.

Fred

[Charles Sullivan]

Thanks fred. I'm gonna make some set ups. After 4 years of winter steelhead failure, I'm rethinking my approach to everything except my political views and support of the Red Sox. Thank You for the help.
Charles

[fredaevans]

Do 'practice' fishing a 'dead drift' rather than 'on the swing.' There really is a reason the first will 'take' more fish. Fly's presented this way are heading right at the fish .. as in WHOA what the hell's that??.

A fly on a swing is passing across the fish's vision so far less time for him to react. As water temps go down (if you can believe it, the Rogue at Tou Velle Park is already down to 47 degrees!) fish metob. drops accordingly. The longer these guys have to see the 'bait' the longer they're going to have to 'think about it.':ray1: