Droppers off Salmon Flies

[Chromaflage]

How long of a leader do you guys use when you run a dropper off a salmon fly? What size fly do you normally use? I've tried this before, but without going to a non-bead head fly in a small size, I find I have problems with the salmon fly pattern sinking.

Thanks,

CrF

[Blue Tip Spinner]

i usually run about 18 to 20 inches of leader and i use a size 14 or 16 fly of my choice (which is usually a hare's ear w/o a bead) and i have no problems with it sinking. i have used bead heads in the past and i never had any problems with it sinking the salmon fly. i usually make sure i use plenty of fly floatant on the salmon fly. hope this helps.

[Chromaflage]

Hmmm....maybe it's 'cause I was putting a #12, weighted, beadhead prince nymph on there... :redface: :redface: :redface: I'll try something lighter next time. Or maybe I was missing strikes, thinking that my fly was sinking because of the dropper - D'Oh! :idea: Thanks!

CrF

[mandinga]

usually I run 24".

I was running a large indicator/salmonfly with an 18" caddis pupae dropper on tuesday...

[rock bottom]

Soft hackles are great droppers too. Swing em into the shallows.

[SCR Steelheader]

i fished bead head prince nymphs of them on the metolious and had some awesome success. really small ones, like size 14

[dimwit]

If you tie your own flies you can use a glass bead in place of a metal bead and it will be lighter. Also, a flashback can give you a somewhat similar sparkley-movement-air bubble kind of characteristic without the weight of a bead head. But unweighted softhackles or really rough and loosely tied hare's ears are my first choices for droppers.

[Two Fister]

CrF,
I usually run about 20" of tippet off of the hook shank. I use a lighter line than whatever I have tied to my salmon fly. For example, if I'm fishing 6 pound tied to my salmon fly, I'll use 3 or 4 pound for the dropper. Allows you to keep your big fly if the little guy gets snagged on a branch or the bottom. Also if a fish takes the salmon fly and rolls on the leader, the lighter tippet is more likely to break without doing too much damage to the fish.

I almost always use a size 18 flashback pheasant tail for my dropper. Sometimes with a bead, sometimes without. Can't wait to get out there!

TF

[Chromaflage]

Cool! Thanks all! I've got several options now. It's getting closer. I'll be heading that way Tuesday AM and will be there until Sunday!!!! :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: Hope to see some of you out there. If you see my tub, give me a shout!
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/4243Roslyn5.JPG

CrF