A very simple yet incredibly effective technique to insure that your nymph flies have time to sink to the bottom is what I call the upstream lift. It’s often difficult to get your nymphs to sink to the bottom due to tension in your fly line and nymphing rig with water currents and can be corrected by performing the upstream lift. As soon as you cast your nymphing rig upstream from your standing position, perform the upstream lift by quickly raising your rod tip up and then quickly lowering it back down again. I do this on every drift.

When your rig lands in the water upstream of your position, it immediately starts moving downstream at about the same speed as the surface current. The currents immediately apply pressure to your flyline, strike indicator, leader, and nymphs, creating tension in your rig and your nymphs never have the chance to sink to the bottom. When you raise your rod tip straight up, you pull your rig downstream at a speed that is faster than the surface current and gives a little slack in the fly line relieving this tension. When you quickly lower your rod tip back down again, the excess slack stops your fly line and strike indicator for a brief second which allows your nymphs to sink to the bottom tension-free.

As long as your presentation floats downstream freely and without tension after performing the upstream lift, your nymphs will stay on the bottom in the slower current throughout the entire drift. You could just add more weight instead of performing the upstream lift so your rig sinks quicker. But often times this is unnecessary and won’t solve the problem because the issue is tension and not weight. Add more weight if your presentation is still not sinking to the bottom after performing the upstream lift.

More information on trout nymphing can be found in my guide book SIMPLE NYMPHING FOR TROUT IN RIVERS & STREAMS.

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