Fishing tandem flies

[Travis C.]

Hey guys,

I fish tandem nymphs and such quite a bit as I imagine most fish two flies of some sort. I was just wondering how you guys preferred it.

Do tie the first off the tag end or tie the second of the shank (what I do) or do you fish it as a dry dropper?

Secondly, how far is too far on that second one?

Thanks guys,

Travis

[dbradyh]

I sometimes fish New Zeland style (flies tied to hook). Usually, I fish no more than a couple of feet between flies.

[RonS]

I tie to hook bend.  Easier, faster, and I don't think the fish care. Could be wrong and am open to discussion and learning about preferred methods.

Good subject.

[jarrod white]

I tie to hook bend.  Easier, faster, and I don't think the fish care. Could be wrong and am open to discussion and learning about preferred methods.

Good subject.

Same here.

[grumpy]

dry/dropper for me, both tied to the eye of the dry, dropper no more than 2' from the dry.
With the current generation, haven't been able to use the set up.
Grumpy

[Leo deMonbreun]

just a little bit of reading for ya!! one search so there is probably a lot more out there, sorry, cut and paste time

http://www.midcurrent.com/articles/techniques/monahan_seeing_double.aspx
http://www.midcurrent.com/articles/gear/monahan_tandem_combos.aspx
http://www.fishandfly.co.uk/ffedit0501.html
http://www.redrockadventure.com/fishing/flyfishing/fishing_droppers.htm

[countryflyfisher]

I ve done it both to the bend of the hook and eye to eye I think the eye to eye has a better hook ratio but tangles more where as the bend of the hook seems not to tangle as much. as far as the dry dropper versuses a nymph rig a rule of thumb I was taught was 4 ft or less dry dropper any deeper use a indicator. I don t always stick to that rule but it is a nice place to start

[wm1]

I tie the second fly to the hook bend. I tie the clinch knot over my finger and then slip it over the hook bend. I originally used a dry fly with a nymph or wet fly dropper, but now use all kinds of variations; wooly buggers, soft hackles, emergers, midges and nymphs.
As far as distance between the two flys it depends on the depth that I want to fish each fly, water flow, and how I want to present each fly. It is no different than fishing a single fly, only you have to think how each fly will perform in the water.
A couple of weeks ago on the Caney I caught my first "double"; two fish at once on a two fly rig. It was exciting and not as difficult to bring to the net as I had thought it would be. Instead of two fish fighting against me, they seemed to fight against each other. Quite a thrill!
A couple of times this year I have also tried fishing three flies on some leaders that I bought. These surprised me in how easy they casted and I did not have any problems with tangles. I even fished them in the dark before daylight one morning. Obviously, I rigged them the day before. These are great for searching to see what the fish are interested in.