Fly fishing with split shot can be a great way to add some weight to your fly and get it down to where the fish are. But let’s be honest, adding split shot can also lead to some frustration and even a few curse words (or maybe that’s just me).
First things first, let’s talk about what split shot actually is. It’s a small, round piece of metal that you can attach to your leader to add weight. The idea is that the weight will help your fly sink faster and get down to where the fish are.
Now, onto the fun part – let’s talk about an example of fly fishing with split shot. Picture this: it’s early fall, the leaves are just starting to turn, and you’re standing knee-deep in a crystal-clear river. You’re using a 9-foot 5-weight rod with a floating line, and you’ve tied on a size 16 beadhead pheasant tail nymph.
You know there are some big rainbow trout lurking in this river, and you’re determined to catch one. But the water is moving pretty quickly, so you decide to add a split shot about 8 inches above your fly to help it sink faster.
Adding split shot to your line is a bit of a balancing act. You want enough weight to get your fly down to where the fish are, but not so much weight that it hinders your ability to cast and retrieve your fly. It can take some trial and error to find the right amount of split shot for the conditions you’re fishing in.
You make a few casts upstream, letting your fly drift down towards you. You’re keeping your eye on the line, watching for any subtle movement that might indicate a fish has taken your fly. And then it happens – you feel a tug, and you quickly set the hook.
The fish takes off downstream, and you let out a little whoop of excitement. But then you remember the split shot. As you try to reel in the fish, you can feel the weight of the split shot bouncing along the bottom of the river. You’re worried it’s going to get caught on a rock and break off your fly.
This is where having the right equipment comes in handy. A good fly rod with a sensitive tip will help you feel the movements of the fish, even with the added weight of a split shot. And a sturdy leader will help you land that big fish without worrying about it breaking off.
But you keep your cool, and after a few minutes of fighting, you finally land the fish – a beautiful 16-inch rainbow trout. You carefully remove the fly from its mouth, snap a quick photo, and release it back into the river.
Fly fishing with split shot can be an effective technique for targeting fish that are feeding near the bottom of a river or stream. But it’s important to remember that adding weight to your line can also affect the way your fly moves through the water, so you’ll want to adjust your casting and retrieval techniques accordingly.
It’s also important to be mindful of the environment you’re fishing in. Always practice catch-and-release fishing, and avoid fishing in areas where fish populations are already stressed or endangered.
All in all, fly fishing with split shot can add a fun and challenging element to your fishing experience. So the next time you’re out on the water, give it a try – you might just catch the fish of a lifetime!
If you enjoyed this post, check out our fly fishing for beginners post!