Better dry-fly fishing on reservoirs

Dry-flies can be presented singly or as a team. It’s vital that your leader has a tapered section to dissipate the casting energy evenly from the fly-line to the leader and provide a stable turnover. Stepping down from a thick fly-line directly to, let’s say, 6lb level mono can create a nasty ‘kick’ at the fly-line and leader junction, making leader turnover unreliable. 

I use a 12ft Leeda Profil tapered leader and crop it to 7ft 6in, from the tippet end (see Diagram 1). I add a loop at either end (remove the maker’s loop), creating a 7ft permanent connection (6in is lost by forming the loops). Tippet sections can then be added. 

For a single-fly set-up, attach 5ft of 6lb level mono to give a 12ft leader (Diagram 2). This single-fly leader is perfect for beginners, or where you’re fishing into a headwind. It can be shortened to 10ft in blustery weather. A single-fly leader is also handy when quick-fire casting to rising fish — with only one fly and no droppers, there is less likelihood of tangles when constantly changing direction to cover moving trout. 

A two-fly rig is useful if searching the water when little is stirring at the surface. Yet, if a trout rises, the leader isn’t too long to change direction quickly. To the 7ft Profil taper, I add 3ft 6in of 7lb mono. It should be a thicker and stiffer section to make the dropper stand proud of the leader. This will reduce tangles. Leaving a 6in dropper, use a water knot to attach a further 4ft of 6lb mono for an overall 14ft leader (Diagram 3). 

I reserve a three dry-fly set-up for searching water from a boat. To the 7ft Profil taper, I connect 2ft 6in of 7lb mono. Allow 6in for the top dropper and add 4ft 6in of 7lb mono. Then knot a further 4ft of 6lb or 5lb mono to create a 17ft leader (Diagram 4). 

As for flies, good all-rounders for searching include black, amber or claret Hoppers, Shipman’s Buzzer and Elk Hair Caddis. When the wind eases and there’s a near flat calm, opt for Suspender Buzzers or Shuttlecock emergers in black, green, or fawn.