cougar wrote:
RoryB if you dont mind me asking.. what is a new Zealand type rig??
No probs. Its basically a system that allows you to fish two flies at once. Generally you will tie the bigger fly on first, on the end of the tippet/leader. You then tie a short piece of tippet leader/mono onto the bend of the hook of the first fly. On the end of this piece you then tie on the second fly, which is called the "point fly". The system originated in New Zealand where they would use a heavier fly to drag a lighter fly down, in the fast rivers. The lighter fly would be unweighted and therefore present more naturally to the fish. In south Africa it is a very common method of fishing on the Vaal river where the same principle applies: A heavy fly to drag other flies to a required depth. Some guys fefer to this method as "truck and trailer".
Now its not practised that much on still waters, but has advantages epsecially in heavily fished waters. Very often a fish will be attracted to a big fly but will be wary and not take. So the theory is that the fish will spot the smaller fly tagging behind and because small flies are less fished, the fish aren't too wary of them and it will induce a take. A lot of people don't have faith in small flies on stillwaters, but I have gone down to size 16 and even 18 on the point. Typically I would recommend a flashback nymph, either a Hares ear nymph or a Pheasant tail nymph for the point fly. Try to use a thinner tippet material for the point fly, like 4x or if you know your tackle well, down to 5x.
The problem with this system on stillwaters is casting. You can end up with a leader tangle of a serious class very easily! Hope this helps.