This video takes you on a journey of fly fishing mastery! The detailed breakdown of fishing woolly buggers in different river conditions ignited my passion to get out there. It’s like learning a secret art that can bring a day on the water to life. Absolutely captivating!
Great to hear:) It's amazing just how effective this fly can be when presented differently in various water types. We have a lot more to share about how we tie, why and when and where we use woolly buggers and small streamers in a course we created that's available at our Patreon membership here. www.patreon.com/jensenflyfishing/shop/daves-fly-box-woolly-buggers-muddlers-137671?source=storefront
Ive been fly fishing for 10 years now, and the bugger is still one my best flies, with a lot of personal bests in fresh and saltwater. If I'm in a new piece of water, or area I'm throwing a bugger in black, olive or white, and I'll find fish. One of the best flies ever.
I love the short videos you guys do. However, this was really a masterclass in learning about buggers and seeing the varying techniques to catch fish with them. Thanks for all the information!
my next goal is conquering fly fishing. I appreciate the time you put into this video. You took your time and explained everything you could think of. I can easily see your experience on the water. I am taking notes and working on it! Excellent tutorial sir.
It ain't hard and the more you focus on the simplicity of the basics, the more you'll get a few to net and enjoy it. :) Keep in mind the most effective Woolly Bugger angler is actually an ultra-light spin angler that fully understands flow and slow retrieves and how to work a light slip bobber setup. Just sayin' :)
@@TheFishinMagician20 funny is that if you just think through what method does what best and learn to perfect those literal 4 or 5 tactics on spin or fly you could out fish any trout angler consistently. It's really when you look at it that way and eliminate the conflict of fly or spin being 'better' by answering that with 'at what?' or 'when/where?' 😊🍺
Excellent video with very good explanations, set-up instructions and demonstrations. You have provided simple direction and suggested options that should be considered when fishing buggers, bugger and nymph combos and more. Thank you.
Hi Dave, very good presentation with lots of good info that can be put into practice. The idea of fishing a nymph and a streamer fly is not new as we use to use that combination but called it nymph and a wee wet. You are correct about the WB fly working in NZ and the strike when it comes feels like your arm has been dislocated! The big fish running in fast high water take umbrage at being fooled and hooked and can take you downriver for a few hundred meters before either being netted or busting off. Thats what brings us back every winter! Cheers mate. Harera
Oh, there's nothing new about trailing a streamer with a nymph - we were clued into it 25 years ago by a fellow that fishes for huge bull trout. His thing was that the largest fish in that 15 to 20lb class, would certainly curiously look at the huge flies but often not eat, so a trailing morsel was added and that's often what took the fish... something subtle and natural. The only thing for us re: NZ is that because it is a special trip we rarely use streamers given how often we use them here. There's a difference in being local and fishing vs treating the trip as somewhat unique or special. Subtle but a mile apart. :) I think what we do at home in catching is oddly different than when making a trip of it, though in reality anything will catch trout :)
Holding the rod upright and keep a tight line from tip to lure is how I do Czech nymphing. Also, this technique can be used in the dark where a strike is detected by feel alone - very effective once you get the hang of it. Thanks for the video, learned lots. cheers Brian
They certainly work in lakes... but they can really work in rivers and streams - especially the slightly tannic waters we and you have. Hope it goes well :)
Just starting. Fantastic information. It seems that you are accomplishing quite a lot casting only a modest distance and really working a stretch of river. I'll give it a try.
Good for you getting in on it :) Our suggestion is to conquer & master the water within 30 to 35 from your body and within 100 days you'll be out-fishing most people on the water as mastering that distance requires attention to detail in all stages of your engagement :) If you want to dive deeper, we have a series of courses through our digital membership at www.jensenflyfishing.com
Hi Kelly, Just found this. Good stuff. We started using this method back in the early 80's'. It is a deadly technique especially for early season trout.
One of my top 3 bugs of 25 years of fly fishing. The largest trout I have caught from Montana to BC and Alberta where on buggers I like brown and olive personally!
Love this video. Going to try a couple within the next week on the Margaree River in Nova Scotia for Atlantic Salmon. Although my 3 son's have told me many times about this fly , I have never really given it an honest try. My son who works in AB , swears by your method of fishing a River. Here on the East Coast , it's pretty much cast on a 45 , let it swing. Thanks for the education.
The 45 swing is bloody effective tho! There's a reason we all do it. :) But to your point, the ol' woolly bugger does represent a lot of things and offers massive diversity in how and where to fish it. :) I know Bren pounds streamers often and I know he's prone to using a bugger now and then. Great to see him getting back out on the water more recently - we all need those days to calm and balance ourselves in life. :)
A fish caught chasing something chasing another something yep, that's a good setup, very effective I've used something similar for years Your vids are very good, A nice watch Thanks
Tapered certainly helps but... I spent the first 20 years of fly fishing cutthroat with 10Lb Trilene and if I needed to go lighter went to 8 or 6lb. Use what you have and if you find you don't catch as many or don't get as deep have a look at finer/thinner tippets as they'll cut through the water easier. Otherwise, if it works... :)
@@ScaryTerry357 as you get into fly fishing there are things that make life a little easier and things that if you know how to cast or do various things... you don't need much more than a rod, line and a spool or monofilament with a few flies. Keep it simple and focus on trout behaviour, location etc and you'll out fish the pros that have everything :)
I always fish two. A beadhead on the end and a conehead size 14 about 9 inches apart. I find this mimics schooling baitfish and/or pursuit. It's the best and most effective way to swing in current that I know of. It's much more likely to get the attention of a stubborn or uninterested trout. I've caught some really nice sized rainbows and browns this way. A lot of people say use a shorter leader like with streamers, but I don't have the best of luck that way. I use about 9 ft of leader.
It's always neat to hear how others do things... given that there is no one way to do this fishing thing :) To your point, we seldom fish less than 12' and typically 14 to 16' with all flies to avoid intrusion into trout's awareness window - why pound everything into it with short leaders? :)
Very funny that as I watched, my main thought was how long after the video did it take to get the buggers off and the Blue Wings on. 😃. I really don’t fish streamers enough. As many years as I’ve been throwing flies into trees, I always learn from your videos. Thanks, Allen
Yeah, when you're working sometimes you have to ignore what you want to do in favor of what needs be done. Applies to working in fly fishing too! Turned out well tho! 😊🍻
Do it all! :) But yeah, no... it was a push of water from the dam and cold snow melt coming in and levels were up and vis went down in 20 minutes and while the swallows look happy they were on midges in a push of water. There's a reason we decided to do a "How to Fly Fish Woolly Buggers" video! :) Literally we were on the river wanting to film and said "ok, let's do this!" :)
@@jensenflyfishing Nice! That's so damned rad! And, truth be told, this time of year, we're usually fishing subsurface (and hoping, hoping, hoping for a hatch). :) Thanks again for sharing your wisdom! Stoked to try this out!
Glad it was helpful! A lot of our content has built in "how to" so hopefully you find other topics in our videos that are directly useful to your fishing. We have new stuff coming out every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, so please subscribe to our channel. 🙂
I am relatively new to fly fishing. Went to Montana last year July and going back this September. I remember the guide using plastic indicators. Should I use plastic or wool. I am learning to tie flies and tied my first wooly bugger yesterday. It is black. Guess i will have to obtain more colors. Great video. Old Chief
Ultimately it comes down to what you find success with re: indicator. Wool with floatant is good, the quick release blown foam balls are great, the blown plastic work well also. In clear and low water you'll want the lightest indicator (wool) with least impact whereas high, murky, fast water you can use about anything. :)
Great video, I’m just learning to fly fish here in New Zealand where we have huge trout and I know a lot of people here fish with wooly buggers so this was very helpful! 🇳🇿
They'll definitely work there. A lot of the tactics will do extremely well on tannic waters certainly, but especially so on rising waters on the leading edge of Nor'west fronts. Hope you folks have a great season down there ❤
Hi, this time of the year there is snow on the mountain peaks of the volcanic plateau of New Zealand and that tells us anglers to head for Taupo. In my case it’s to swing Olive Green Woolybuggers to fresh run rainbows! I tie mine on a No. 2 or 4 long shank hook with a 4.5 Golden Tungsten bead and tie it to three foot of 6 lbs leader that is attached to a ring and a further 2 ft of 18 lbs nylon that is loop attached to a fast sinking shooting head line. I have used this setup since the 70s and still get smashed occasionally. Compared to the Euro Nymphing setup it looks clanky and heavy, but it works as you have to get down fast in quite fast running water (32 - 35 cubits) and the fish may be tucked under the far bank. Cold weather coming up this weekend should get the fish start to run up from the lake! Cheers mate. Harera
Great video about the techniques of fishing buggers and nymphs', but those birds in the background picking off the top water hatch just SCREAM for a dry fly!
i just got a cutthroat on a brown wooly bugger 3 days ago with splitshots about 8 inches away from it. I caught it with a spinning rod setup in the bull river in british columbia. first fish on a fly. hopefully i can apply the tecniques from the video in the bow in calgary where i usually fish
What is your trick to keeping your New Zealand wool indicator from saturating with water quickly and sinking? Great show as usual from you two!! Keep it coming!!!
Don't trim it despite what the company says to do. It's the linger finger of parachuting material that snaps dry in the false cast and allows it to float. You might do well to join our patreon channel that deep dives into all these nuances and details behind the scenes www.patreon.com/jensenflyfishing. 🙂🍻
I’ve never run two wooly buggers, always a bead head or sucker spawn off the dropper. Caught loads of trout and steelhead on this set up. I also use 7 1/2’ leaders to the micro swivel that gives a 9-9 1/2’ leader. To me a shorter leader is easier to control and put it in the seam it needs to be.
that's the great thing about woolly buggers... they ain't hard to fish and there's a heap you can do with them based on conditions, fish behaviour, location, etc. :)
@@jensenflyfishing Great Lakes Steelies love them if you have the right color! They can get finicky on colors, what they take one day they might not even look at it the next. I usually tie my dropper off the bend of the hook fishing for those.
You're welcome and glad to hear it! When you're new with FF, there's so many fun in's and out's with the learning of everything. Using those buggers in your box is almost guaranteed to give you more hook ups.
I fish a lot of Lake Erie steelhead and browns. I use wooly buggers all the time. My number 1 fly no matter what the conditions are. I mainly use it as an egg trailer and it destroys in that configuration.
Yeah it does every good water year. That’s part of the fun there. Caught one of my best Broons there, then learned that wearing a glove to pick up fish is dumb. Will never do it again. Great video.
good stuff..i just never can understand if u cast right handed why your reel isnt left handed retrieve..to each there own i guess...amazing how deadly wooly buggers are and how many different species of fish they consistantly catch..
Good question! Truth is I fish right-handed casting 60% of the time and 40% left-handed casting. So it simply doesn't matter in my case. And woolly buggers are such a great pattern that can really be adapted to so many situations :)
The 9 food leader narrows down to say 3x tippet, you then tie a swivel on to the tippet and then add 2 feet of tippet to the swivel ? If I get all that right Looking forward to trying this.
bang on. leader to swivel. Below the swivel tie on 18 to 24" of tippet. Leave the tag end of the lower bit on at the swivel by 4" and tie on your 2nd fly there. Easy peasy. Give it a go then play around with it as you see fit and what works for you. All the best!
Never too heavy. We use a 5wt all the time. Reality is that you can try anything and everything you want in FF. There is no "right" or "wrong" answer. At least this is how we see it:)
Merhaba jennesin, bu tarz Alabalık avı gayet zevkli fakat , Kırmızı benekli Alabalık avı böyle etrafı açık olması gerekir ki ekipman dallara ağaç köklerine dolanmasın. Ingilizce dilini anlamasam bile uygulamalı anlatımınız gayet güzel olmuş elinize yüreğinize sağlık 😀🇹🇷🇹🇷🇹🇷
Hi! Loved your vídeo. I learned about your TH-cam channel with the guys from Mosqueando na Mesa. It is a Brazilian channel about flyfishing. Tight lines! Cris Silva
Thank you for the incredible video - you've inspired me to use this technique more around our local rivers here in Oregon! Floating line works just fine for this set up, no need for a sink tip line, correct?
Great vid!! Using the height of strike indicator for the depth of the water is different. Do you find that you notice more strikes and a more natural dead drift? I’ve always fished with the indicator at top of your leader like 9ft up just the way I was taught.
Yes, based on the depth of water you're fishing being able to adjust how high the indicator is positioned above your flies is important, because it's all about finding the fish where they are feeding . A standard 9 feet isn't always going to work for you in every circumstance. Trout move around in the water column a lot depending on what they're feeding on and the depth of the water itself. If they are feeding on emerging mayflies for example, they won't be feeding on the bottom, but often a lot closer to the surface. The old standard nymphing depth to set the indicator is 1.5 X the depth of the water fished. However, truly the best indicator depth is 1.5 X the trout feeding depth.
I know it's not what you are teaching but there are tons of birds (Martins?) that are skimming the surface of the water. In this case I think I would be using dries because that is what the birds appear to be after. But thanks for the info about droppers and fishing Buggers.
We watched the water for over 1/2 hr and not a rise to midges in somewhat murky and quite cold water. Not sure that would have been effective that day. Cheers
I'm guessing that if you caught a fish on the lower fly that was brown in color you could switch it with the upper fly that is green in color to see if the fish are attracted to a certain color or depth.
Yes, you could do that for sure! We've found it's quite often depth over fly color that dictates success. But yes, if you chose to have two of the same color bugger on a tandom rig there's a chance you might hook up on two fish if they're seriously attracted to the color. Always good to experiment no matter what🙂
Fly fishing has a tapered leader then we add 'tippet' and it goes based on diameter of the line. In this case 2 or 3x which is essentially 6 or 8lb test in the Trilene world. This set up is easy to imitate with a slip bobber on light line. 🍻
Yes you can! You definitely need to remember to pause on your backcast as you've got more weight and don't try to false cast too much. A 9ft leader tapered to either 2 or 3X works great. Certainly nothing lighter than that for tippet.
Take a look at our affilitate link to this product found in the description of this video as well as below. Smith Optics Guide's Choice Sunglasses (Glass Lens): bit.ly/2TmNTD7 They are glass and we use low light ignitor for the color.
Novice question from a newbie incoming: what line do you use for nymphing? I’m using regular 5wt wf floating line.. The problem I have is the current on top drags my floating line… as a result, it’s impossible to keep the line tight as it’s just wiggled all over the surface at the mercy of the current. Also the nymphs (even with considerable extra weight added) have a hard time staying down because they’re being yanked up by the floating line… and even in calmer conditions are moving the speed of the surface current, making a very unnatural presentation down below. So in a nutshell I’m monkey see-monkey do-ing everything right.. but getting super crappy results. I believe the floating line is the culprit. So, what line for nymphs/streamers? Thanks
Any line "can" be used for nymphing and depending on your leader situation (length, taper, stout or fine) and fishing scenario (short vs long distance or heavy vs light flies), you may find a heavy WF line better or a fine DT line. With your WF line and description, it sounds like a mending issue. My first reaction is to say, learn the reach mend both natural and cross body, then hone in on line control with narrow loop mends by starting with shorter casts and really focus on mending controllable loops that don't have embedded wiggles as you describe. This will require positioning yourself in the same or the nearest seam in order to reduce counter or faster currents in order to truly hone in on that dead-drift and drag-free sought after presentation. www.patreon.com/jensenflyfishing
Many of these tactics will work but you also will want to beef up the leader & tippet, tungsten beadhead, maybe a different indicator if going deeper, and really hitting the riffles dead drift under indi or swinging with sink tips. Cheers
I run straight 14 pd fluorocarbon or 10pd camo tippet from my braided leader ,I only use braided leaders loop to loop orvis nothing else , makes life easy and your line goes out nice and straight,we use large split shot about 2 ft up from the fly depending how rough the water is. We also use slinkys its parachute cord with split shot inside connect them right to a swivel, they dont get hung up as much , most shops have them .You half to be on the bottom to catch these fish or you will not catch them,i use a medium yellow strike indicator held on with a rubber band right to the line.We call it the chuck and duck technique, when your fishing in 20 degree weather and everything freezes quick you want your line in the water as fast as you can recast, because the eyes of your rod get icy and it gets difficult to cast.You will loose flies so fancy patterns are out we use estaz eggs in all colors green ,pink were my best colors, and size 10 and 12 simple blackstone flys with a hot color thorax , hot glue eggs at certain times.
The problem i have with this set up is its difficult to cast the fly gets wrapped around the tippet and monafilament, its also difficult to detect strikes, in open water on large streams with big flies its probably ok .I rather tie right to the first fly of the bend for droppers and double fly setups,everyone has there technique thats what makes this sport so addictive we learn from each other everytime on the water always learning.
@@littlesilver2205 100% to what you shared re: doing things differently. The big part of this set up was to introduce the idea to use things like swivels and dropper lines off the main leader. Then introduce something subtle like the angle of the dropper line - not using the lower line to tie the top (dropper) fly on, rather, using the piece that travels back up the leader to tie the fly on because it forms an open loop away from the leader to alleviate the exact issue you are talking about. By using the upward side of that tied on tippet it help avoid the in-line issues you are talking about which is why we did it the way we did. But that gets back to how to tie tandem flies - and we most often do it as you suggest in line but wanted to share something different. :) Cheers
@@jensenflyfishing its great to see other setups, i am going to try a slinky, its round shot inside a parachute cord it gets down fast and dont hang up as much this should work very well with a piece of 15 pound camo tippet coming off the swivel ,I fish steelhead hardcore in the winter in Pulaski NY, its 20 degrees out everything freezes quickly. I am going to go with a smaller swivel so to cut back on the ice as you strip in, because it will accumulate around the swivel you wont be able to get it through the guides.Thanks for reply, now i have something to do in the hotel as i thaw out from the days fishing.
They absolutely work all year round. There may be better flies during a specific hatch or time of year but buggers will always always always catch fish 12 months a year! And it doesn't matter if you're fishing spooky New Zealand Browns or Arctic grayling or rainbows or cutthroat they all eat them!😊🍻👍
@@jensenflyfishing thank you so much for gettin back to me. It definitely will help me to use buggers more often now that I know how to properly use them. Cheers!!
I have been fishing buggers for years and still found a ton of valuable knowledge here. thanks!
Great to hear!
Cant watch this enough! My favorite amd most productive fly
Fish catcher! 😊
This video takes you on a journey of fly fishing mastery! The detailed breakdown of fishing woolly buggers in different river conditions ignited my passion to get out there. It’s like learning a secret art that can bring a day on the water to life. Absolutely captivating!
Great to hear:) It's amazing just how effective this fly can be when presented differently in various water types. We have a lot more to share about how we tie, why and when and where we use woolly buggers and small streamers in a course we created that's available at our Patreon membership here. www.patreon.com/jensenflyfishing/shop/daves-fly-box-woolly-buggers-muddlers-137671?source=storefront
Ive been fly fishing for 10 years now, and the bugger is still one my best flies, with a lot of personal bests in fresh and saltwater.
If I'm in a new piece of water, or area I'm throwing a bugger in black, olive or white, and I'll find fish.
One of the best flies ever.
100% to this! :)
Hands down the best educational content on TH-cam 👍
I've caught alot more fish the past 2 years thanks to your videos
Appreciate it 🙏
Thank you.
That's great to hear and you're welcome:)
This is one of the big reasons as to why we share what, why and how we do things.
I love the short videos you guys do. However, this was really a masterclass in learning about buggers and seeing the varying techniques to catch fish with them. Thanks for all the information!
Glad you enjoyed it! Hopefully it serves people well into the future. Simple stuff but good to get into a video :)
Excellent video. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and time.
Glad you found value in it - lots of little nuances to adopt and adapt to your setups and conditions :)
One of the best videos I've watched for information that is easy to understand. Ty
This is wonderful to hear. Thanks for the positive feedback.
my next goal is conquering fly fishing. I appreciate the time you put into this video. You took your time and explained everything you could think of. I can easily see your experience on the water. I am taking notes and working on it! Excellent tutorial sir.
It ain't hard and the more you focus on the simplicity of the basics, the more you'll get a few to net and enjoy it. :) Keep in mind the most effective Woolly Bugger angler is actually an ultra-light spin angler that fully understands flow and slow retrieves and how to work a light slip bobber setup. Just sayin' :)
@@jensenflyfishing in that case I think I’m in the right place 🎣
@@TheFishinMagician20 funny is that if you just think through what method does what best and learn to perfect those literal 4 or 5 tactics on spin or fly you could out fish any trout angler consistently. It's really when you look at it that way and eliminate the conflict of fly or spin being 'better' by answering that with 'at what?' or 'when/where?' 😊🍺
Guilty of doing the “beginner retrieve” lol. Thank you for telling me not too, I had no idea
😊 just remember the old cheerleader cheer... "Be aggressive. Be - Be aggressive!" 🤣 all the best!
Excellent video with very good explanations, set-up instructions and demonstrations. You have provided simple direction and suggested options that should be considered when fishing buggers, bugger and nymph combos and more. Thank you.
Great to hear that feedback and thank you for taking the time to share :)
Hi Dave, very good presentation with lots of good info that can be put into practice. The idea of fishing a nymph and a streamer fly is not new as we use to use that combination but called it nymph and a wee wet. You are correct about the WB fly working in NZ and the strike when it comes feels like your arm has been dislocated! The big fish running in fast high water take umbrage at being fooled and hooked and can take you downriver for a few hundred meters before either being netted or busting off. Thats what brings us back every winter! Cheers mate. Harera
Oh, there's nothing new about trailing a streamer with a nymph - we were clued into it 25 years ago by a fellow that fishes for huge bull trout. His thing was that the largest fish in that 15 to 20lb class, would certainly curiously look at the huge flies but often not eat, so a trailing morsel was added and that's often what took the fish... something subtle and natural. The only thing for us re: NZ is that because it is a special trip we rarely use streamers given how often we use them here. There's a difference in being local and fishing vs treating the trip as somewhat unique or special. Subtle but a mile apart. :) I think what we do at home in catching is oddly different than when making a trip of it, though in reality anything will catch trout :)
This information was fantastic! Very informative! Thanks for sharing ☺️🙏🏻👍
Great to hear and all the best out there :)
Holding the rod upright and keep a tight line from tip to lure is how I do Czech nymphing. Also, this technique can be used in the dark where a strike is detected by feel alone - very effective once you get the hang of it. Thanks for the video, learned lots. cheers Brian
It's a fish catching system for sure! 😊 A little tougher with a woolly bugger that needs a trimming in the field but it can work 😊🍻
This is the best! Practical and so well explained, Thank you
You're very welcome!
The quality of this video is exceptional. Top notch info here.
Glad to hear it. We always try our best to put our best foot forward in all that we do.
There is a lot of education in this video. Well done. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it! It was fun putting thought and time into it! :)
Thank you for the tips!
Those swallows in the background are really going nuts over some kind of hatch.
You are welcome. Yes the swallows loved the #30 midges. The ice cold water and 2' vis had the trout thinking less of it🤣
Wow! This is easily the best woolly how to on TH-cam. Well done mate! Learned a lot!
Glad you enjoyed it! Hope it helps a little. It's just simple stuff applied but can be mighty effective :)
thank you guys i learnt more from you then anyone else ...beginner trying to take in as much info as possable
That's fantastic to hear! We'll just finalizing some courses that will be available at our website very soon. www.jensenflyfishing.com
@@jensenflyfishing thankyou from us. We are looking forward to your upcoming videos
Very clearly explained and demonstrated. I’ve always reserved my woolly buggers fro lake fishing, but you’ve opened my eyes. Thanks from Australia
They certainly work in lakes... but they can really work in rivers and streams - especially the slightly tannic waters we and you have. Hope it goes well :)
@Dr. Richard Long Just hoping to share the possibilities and how effective these darn flies can be. Thanks for subscribing!
Thank you sir. Very informative, I learned a lot.
Glad it was helpful!
Just starting. Fantastic information. It seems that you are accomplishing quite a lot casting only a modest distance and really working a stretch of river. I'll give it a try.
Good for you getting in on it :) Our suggestion is to conquer & master the water within 30 to 35 from your body and within 100 days you'll be out-fishing most people on the water as mastering that distance requires attention to detail in all stages of your engagement :) If you want to dive deeper, we have a series of courses through our digital membership at www.jensenflyfishing.com
I really like your teaching, good job
Thank you for saying that, it helps and encourages. Thank you! :)
Hi Kelly,
Just found this. Good stuff. We started using this method back in the early 80's'. It is a deadly technique especially for early season trout.
Exactly. Such simple stuff that has served the test of time. 😊🍻
Really well done, so much good content. Thanks.
Awesome to hear you loved it 😊
Very good explanation. Adds new tools to me. Thanks from Argentina.
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks for the vid. Learned some stuff about depths and seams.
Perfect. If you can come away with a nugget or two of things you may never have thought of before, all the better:)
I have seen such an explanation for the first time....very impressive...❤
Glad you liked it!
Really good video! thank you for all effort and explanations!
you're welcome :)
Amazing how specific language evolves to suit exacting techniques
always
One of my top 3 bugs of 25 years of fly fishing. The largest trout I have caught from Montana to BC and Alberta where on buggers I like brown and olive personally!
That doesn't surprise us in the least! Such a consistently great fly.
Been fly fishing for a few years n still learning
We all do for sure! 😊
Love this video. Going to try a couple within the next week on the Margaree River in Nova Scotia for Atlantic Salmon. Although my 3 son's have told me many times about this fly , I have never really given it an honest try. My son who works in AB , swears by your method of fishing a River. Here on the East Coast , it's pretty much cast on a 45 , let it swing. Thanks for the education.
The 45 swing is bloody effective tho! There's a reason we all do it. :) But to your point, the ol' woolly bugger does represent a lot of things and offers massive diversity in how and where to fish it. :) I know Bren pounds streamers often and I know he's prone to using a bugger now and then. Great to see him getting back out on the water more recently - we all need those days to calm and balance ourselves in life. :)
A fish caught chasing something chasing another something yep, that's a good setup, very effective I've used something similar for years Your vids are very good, A nice watch Thanks
:) ain't that the truth. Happy stripping!
Do I need a tapered leader for whooly bugger or can i use 10 lb lin?
Tapered certainly helps but... I spent the first 20 years of fly fishing cutthroat with 10Lb Trilene and if I needed to go lighter went to 8 or 6lb. Use what you have and if you find you don't catch as many or don't get as deep have a look at finer/thinner tippets as they'll cut through the water easier. Otherwise, if it works... :)
Ok thanks I didn't know all the videos make them seem necessary
@@ScaryTerry357 as you get into fly fishing there are things that make life a little easier and things that if you know how to cast or do various things... you don't need much more than a rod, line and a spool or monofilament with a few flies. Keep it simple and focus on trout behaviour, location etc and you'll out fish the pros that have everything :)
@jensenflyfishing ok thanks 😊 have a great day
I always fish two. A beadhead on the end and a conehead size 14 about 9 inches apart. I find this mimics schooling baitfish and/or pursuit. It's the best and most effective way to swing in current that I know of. It's much more likely to get the attention of a stubborn or uninterested trout. I've caught some really nice sized rainbows and browns this way. A lot of people say use a shorter leader like with streamers, but I don't have the best of luck that way. I use about 9 ft of leader.
It's always neat to hear how others do things... given that there is no one way to do this fishing thing :) To your point, we seldom fish less than 12' and typically 14 to 16' with all flies to avoid intrusion into trout's awareness window - why pound everything into it with short leaders? :)
very informative, i learned a lot from your video, thank you,
That's really great. We always appreciate knowing there's value for folks in what we share.
Awesome video many thanks 🙏
You're welcome.😊
I see The Fly Shop fly box! Cheers from California
It's an oldie now but sure wish we could pick up a few more :)
I like drifting a wooly bugger underneath a strike indicator, can give it a twitch or just let it go with the current, works wonders
That's exactly it. Such an effective fly and method of fishing it. 😊
Great video. Awesome information.
Glad it was helpful!
Very funny that as I watched, my main thought was how long after the video did it take to get the buggers off and the Blue Wings on. 😃. I really don’t fish streamers enough. As many years as I’ve been throwing flies into trees, I always learn from your videos. Thanks, Allen
Yeah, when you're working sometimes you have to ignore what you want to do in favor of what needs be done. Applies to working in fly fishing too! Turned out well tho! 😊🍻
Wow-this video is packed full of great tips & techniques. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it 🤗👍
Great video. Learning to fly fish and this was very helpful.
Great to hear. Find water low that on your water and just give it a go 👌🍻
Great video! Thanks.
Love the buggers! ❤️❤️
I can't WAIT to try this! Thank you!
(although seeing those swallows early in the video would have me twitching to tie on an emerger. :) )
Do it all! :) But yeah, no... it was a push of water from the dam and cold snow melt coming in and levels were up and vis went down in 20 minutes and while the swallows look happy they were on midges in a push of water. There's a reason we decided to do a "How to Fly Fish Woolly Buggers" video! :) Literally we were on the river wanting to film and said "ok, let's do this!" :)
@@jensenflyfishing Nice! That's so damned rad! And, truth be told, this time of year, we're usually fishing subsurface (and hoping, hoping, hoping for a hatch). :)
Thanks again for sharing your wisdom! Stoked to try this out!
Very informative and well explained thank you for taking the time to share your experiences and make a great video
Glad it was helpful! A lot of our content has built in "how to" so hopefully you find other topics in our videos that are directly useful to your fishing. We have new stuff coming out every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, so please subscribe to our channel. 🙂
I am relatively new to fly fishing. Went to Montana last year July and going back this September. I remember the guide using plastic indicators. Should I use plastic or wool. I am learning to tie flies and tied my first wooly bugger yesterday. It is black. Guess i will have to obtain more colors. Great video. Old Chief
Ultimately it comes down to what you find success with re: indicator. Wool with floatant is good, the quick release blown foam balls are great, the blown plastic work well also. In clear and low water you'll want the lightest indicator (wool) with least impact whereas high, murky, fast water you can use about anything. :)
Great video, I’m just learning to fly fish here in New Zealand where we have huge trout and I know a lot of people here fish with wooly buggers so this was very helpful! 🇳🇿
They'll definitely work there. A lot of the tactics will do extremely well on tannic waters certainly, but especially so on rising waters on the leading edge of Nor'west fronts. Hope you folks have a great season down there ❤
Hi, this time of the year there is snow on the mountain peaks of the volcanic plateau of New Zealand and that tells us anglers to head for Taupo. In my case it’s to swing Olive Green Woolybuggers to fresh run rainbows! I tie mine on a No. 2 or 4 long shank hook with a 4.5 Golden Tungsten bead and tie it to three foot of 6 lbs leader that is attached to a ring and a further 2 ft of 18 lbs nylon that is loop attached to a fast sinking shooting head line. I have used this setup since the 70s and still get smashed occasionally. Compared to the Euro Nymphing setup it looks clanky and heavy, but it works as you have to get down fast in quite fast running water (32 - 35 cubits) and the fish may be tucked under the far bank. Cold weather coming up this weekend should get the fish start to run up from the lake! Cheers mate. Harera
As always...Great Video.. Thank You
Hope it was helpful! 😊🍻
Excellent advice.
Glad it was helpful!
@@jensenflyfishing: posting the link over on our local chapter of Project Healing Waters' social media page.
Very helpful!
@@charlesloftis2920 thank you for that and great to hear :) It is appreciated
Great video about the techniques of fishing buggers and nymphs', but those birds in the background picking off the top water hatch just SCREAM for a dry fly!
#28 midges on a 5C day with water temps of maybe 38 / 39F with not a single rise all day and you'd go dry? Hmmmmmm....
i just got a cutthroat on a brown wooly bugger 3 days ago with splitshots about 8 inches away from it. I caught it with a spinning rod setup in the bull river in british columbia. first fish on a fly. hopefully i can apply the tecniques from the video in the bow in calgary where i usually fish
Fly or spin, doesn't matter! Get those buggers on and drift 'em, twitch 'em, fish 'em! They work! Awesome to hear and good on you, congrats!
@@jensenflyfishing thank you! going to get at it this weekend.
@@fishertech awesome :)
What is your trick to keeping your New Zealand wool indicator from saturating with water quickly and sinking? Great show as usual from you two!! Keep it coming!!!
Don't trim it despite what the company says to do. It's the linger finger of parachuting material that snaps dry in the false cast and allows it to float. You might do well to join our patreon channel that deep dives into all these nuances and details behind the scenes www.patreon.com/jensenflyfishing. 🙂🍻
thank you for the information!
A fun little video to assemble 😊
Excellent Intel thanks
hope it serves you well :)
I’ve never run two wooly buggers, always a bead head or sucker spawn off the dropper. Caught loads of trout and steelhead on this set up. I also use 7 1/2’ leaders to the micro swivel that gives a 9-9 1/2’ leader. To me a shorter leader is easier to control and put it in the seam it needs to be.
that's the great thing about woolly buggers... they ain't hard to fish and there's a heap you can do with them based on conditions, fish behaviour, location, etc. :)
@@jensenflyfishing Great Lakes Steelies love them if you have the right color! They can get finicky on colors, what they take one day they might not even look at it the next. I usually tie my dropper off the bend of the hook fishing for those.
I've had to teach people how to use wooly buggers one of them was a long time fishing guide LOL.
we all have to and can learn new stuff - even the obvious stuff. We've been there lots! :)
Great video! Remember to check your local regulations: not all locales allow multiple flies. Tight lines!
Thanks. Yes, some places are single barbless regulations, and that's another topic unto itself.
Thanks for this. I am new and had no idea what I was doing with the buggers. This was extremely helpful!!!
You're welcome and glad to hear it! When you're new with FF, there's so many fun in's and out's with the learning of everything. Using those buggers in your box is almost guaranteed to give you more hook ups.
Nice Job!
Glad you enjoyed it 🍻
I fish a lot of Lake Erie steelhead and browns. I use wooly buggers all the time. My number 1 fly no matter what the conditions are. I mainly use it as an egg trailer and it destroys in that configuration.
Neat stuff! They are such a solidly effective fly.
Hi. I’m a Lake Erie guy myself, but not too good at it. Do you mostly fish dead drift them or streamer fish them? Thanks.
The view there is great in the summer!! hahah
yup. took a beating this sprin-summer in high water tho.
Yeah it does every good water year. That’s part of the fun there. Caught one of my best Broons there, then learned that wearing a glove to pick up fish is dumb. Will never do it again. Great video.
Thank you, love the swallows in the background.
isn't it great to see the buzz of activity? Love them :)
Very high quality video! Thank you :-)
Hope it helps you on the water! 😊🍻
Old Chief with another question. Did you put anything on the hackles when you pulled them out? Thanks
Just a counter wrap of fine wire, but nothing on the fibres, no
Thanks! New to fly fishing, I don’t even have any flys. Only have been bead fishing.
well - woolly buggers are a good place to start too! :)
good stuff..i just never can understand if u cast right handed why your reel isnt left handed retrieve..to each there own i guess...amazing how deadly wooly buggers are and how many different species of fish they consistantly catch..
Good question! Truth is I fish right-handed casting 60% of the time and 40% left-handed casting. So it simply doesn't matter in my case. And woolly buggers are such a great pattern that can really be adapted to so many situations :)
The 9 food leader narrows down to say 3x tippet, you then tie a swivel on to the tippet and then add 2 feet of tippet to the swivel ? If I get all that right Looking forward to trying this.
bang on. leader to swivel. Below the swivel tie on 18 to 24" of tippet. Leave the tag end of the lower bit on at the swivel by 4" and tie on your 2nd fly there. Easy peasy. Give it a go then play around with it as you see fit and what works for you. All the best!
Nice, thanks!
simple stuff! love the buggers!
I have a 5wt rod. Would this set up be too heavy? Could I modify it with unweighted buggers and the swivel for the weight with a sinking tippet?
I use a 5 weight, it works just fine up to size 4 flies
Never too heavy. We use a 5wt all the time. Reality is that you can try anything and everything you want in FF. There is no "right" or "wrong" answer. At least this is how we see it:)
Thank you nice presentation 👍
Great to hear you liked it :)
great info
Thanks for watching and glad it was helpful!
Merhaba jennesin, bu tarz Alabalık avı gayet zevkli fakat , Kırmızı benekli Alabalık avı böyle etrafı açık olması gerekir ki ekipman dallara ağaç köklerine dolanmasın. Ingilizce dilini anlamasam bile uygulamalı anlatımınız gayet güzel olmuş elinize yüreğinize sağlık 😀🇹🇷🇹🇷🇹🇷
That is good to hear - and these tactics can catch so many different fish species with woolly buggers. Hopefully they are easy to replicate 😊
Hi! Loved your vídeo. I learned about your TH-cam channel with the guys from Mosqueando na Mesa. It is a Brazilian channel about flyfishing. Tight lines! Cris Silva
th-cam.com/video/TmDyoCEa1Sk/w-d-xo.html
We'll check it out, thank you - great to hear you found us and hope you have a wonderful season! :)
Hi thanks, excellent video. I asume you are using small Woolley buggers for the yarn indicator to be able to float properly? Saludos from Chile
2 × #8 buggers with tungsten beads - wool with floatant does a great job. That's the new Zealand strike indicator wool system. Cheers
What kind of line are you using in this video?
Orvis hydros trout dt5
Thank you
glad you enjoyed it. Buggers! :)
Great content ♥️
Thank you. Hope it was helpful:)
Thank you for the incredible video - you've inspired me to use this technique more around our local rivers here in Oregon! Floating line works just fine for this set up, no need for a sink tip line, correct?
Glad it was helpful! Yes to floating line.
What size rod are you using?
Hi. 5 wt helios 3F 😎🍻
Thank you so much for this incredible video. Do you mind suggest a rod and what kind of line you suggest for this kind of fishing?
as shared in the video! :) 5 with WF. CHeers
I may have missed it but what weight rod and line are you using on this particular set up ?
5wt rod with 5 wt DT fly line
Dave what rod were you using at the beginning of the video was it the 5 or 6 wt - Helios 3f
Hiya. That's the 5F 😊😎
Great vid!!
Using the height of strike indicator for the depth of the water is different. Do you find that you notice more strikes and a more natural dead drift? I’ve always fished with the indicator at top of your leader like 9ft up just the way I was taught.
Yes, based on the depth of water you're fishing being able to adjust how high the indicator is positioned above your flies is important, because it's all about finding the fish where they are feeding . A standard 9 feet isn't always going to work for you in every circumstance. Trout move around in the water column a lot depending on what they're feeding on and the depth of the water itself. If they are feeding on emerging mayflies for example, they won't be feeding on the bottom, but often a lot closer to the surface. The old standard nymphing depth to set the indicator is 1.5 X the depth of the water fished. However, truly the best indicator depth is 1.5 X the trout feeding depth.
Thanks for taking the time to explain that . I’ll have to try it next time out on the river.
I know it's not what you are teaching but there are tons of birds (Martins?) that are skimming the surface of the water. In this case I think I would be using dries because that is what the birds appear to be after. But thanks for the info about droppers and fishing Buggers.
We watched the water for over 1/2 hr and not a rise to midges in somewhat murky and quite cold water. Not sure that would have been effective that day. Cheers
I'm guessing that if you caught a fish on the lower fly that was brown in color you could switch it with the upper fly that is green in color to see if the fish are attracted to a certain color or depth.
Yes, you could do that for sure! We've found it's quite often depth over fly color that dictates success. But yes, if you chose to have two of the same color bugger on a tandom rig there's a chance you might hook up on two fish if they're seriously attracted to the color. Always good to experiment no matter what🙂
What is the leader made of? 6 lb test? Or something special for fly fishing?
Fly fishing has a tapered leader then we add 'tippet' and it goes based on diameter of the line. In this case 2 or 3x which is essentially 6 or 8lb test in the Trilene world. This set up is easy to imitate with a slip bobber on light line. 🍻
What about pocket waters? Is it good using wooly?
100% cast above the structure a few feet and let it sink then pulse it past the boulders 😊👌
@@jensenflyfishing ty so much ❤️
Can you easily cast two big wooly buggers on a 5wt, what size leader do you recommend?
Yes you can! You definitely need to remember to pause on your backcast as you've got more weight and don't try to false cast too much. A 9ft leader tapered to either 2 or 3X works great. Certainly nothing lighter than that for tippet.
@@jensenflyfishing Thank you!
Red and white plastic bobbers are cheap and work well...but then so does knowing how to cast, mend and drift flies.
and then... enter the woolly bugger :)
hi great video, what brand and colour lens of sunglasses are you using? glass or poly carb.
Take a look at our affilitate link to this product found in the description of this video as well as below.
Smith Optics Guide's Choice Sunglasses (Glass Lens): bit.ly/2TmNTD7
They are glass and we use low light ignitor for the color.
Great Video! What is the brand or the maker of the tungsten swivel you are using?
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it! Danielson crane swivel with solid wire eyes - size 7
@@jensenflyfishing Thanks so much!!
Novice question from a newbie incoming: what line do you use for nymphing? I’m using regular 5wt wf floating line.. The problem I have is the current on top drags my floating line… as a result, it’s impossible to keep the line tight as it’s just wiggled all over the surface at the mercy of the current. Also the nymphs (even with considerable extra weight added) have a hard time staying down because they’re being yanked up by the floating line… and even in calmer conditions are moving the speed of the surface current, making a very unnatural presentation down below.
So in a nutshell I’m monkey see-monkey do-ing everything right.. but getting super crappy results. I believe the floating line is the culprit.
So, what line for nymphs/streamers? Thanks
Any line "can" be used for nymphing and depending on your leader situation (length, taper, stout or fine) and fishing scenario (short vs long distance or heavy vs light flies), you may find a heavy WF line better or a fine DT line. With your WF line and description, it sounds like a mending issue. My first reaction is to say, learn the reach mend both natural and cross body, then hone in on line control with narrow loop mends by starting with shorter casts and really focus on mending controllable loops that don't have embedded wiggles as you describe. This will require positioning yourself in the same or the nearest seam in order to reduce counter or faster currents in order to truly hone in on that dead-drift and drag-free sought after presentation. www.patreon.com/jensenflyfishing
Great presentation!!
I sub'd!
Awesome, thank you!
We appreciate it.
Great video, thank you!
Would you do anything different for fall/winter run Great Lakes Steelhead?
Many of these tactics will work but you also will want to beef up the leader & tippet, tungsten beadhead, maybe a different indicator if going deeper, and really hitting the riffles dead drift under indi or swinging with sink tips. Cheers
I run straight 14 pd fluorocarbon or 10pd camo tippet from my braided leader ,I only use braided leaders loop to loop orvis nothing else , makes life easy and your line goes out nice and straight,we use large split shot about 2 ft up from the fly depending how rough the water is. We also use slinkys its parachute cord with split shot inside connect them right to a swivel, they dont get hung up as much , most shops have them .You half to be on the bottom to catch these fish or you will not catch them,i use a medium yellow strike indicator held on with a rubber band right to the line.We call it the chuck and duck technique, when your fishing in 20 degree weather and everything freezes quick you want your line in the water as fast as you can recast, because the eyes of your rod get icy and it gets difficult to cast.You will loose flies so fancy patterns are out we use estaz eggs in all colors green ,pink were my best colors, and size 10 and 12 simple blackstone flys with a hot color thorax , hot glue eggs at certain times.
The problem i have with this set up is its difficult to cast the fly gets wrapped around the tippet and monafilament, its also difficult to detect strikes, in open water on large streams with big flies its probably ok .I rather tie right to the first fly of the bend for droppers and double fly setups,everyone has there technique thats what makes this sport so addictive we learn from each other everytime on the water always learning.
@@littlesilver2205 100% to what you shared re: doing things differently. The big part of this set up was to introduce the idea to use things like swivels and dropper lines off the main leader. Then introduce something subtle like the angle of the dropper line - not using the lower line to tie the top (dropper) fly on, rather, using the piece that travels back up the leader to tie the fly on because it forms an open loop away from the leader to alleviate the exact issue you are talking about. By using the upward side of that tied on tippet it help avoid the in-line issues you are talking about which is why we did it the way we did. But that gets back to how to tie tandem flies - and we most often do it as you suggest in line but wanted to share something different. :) Cheers
@@jensenflyfishing its great to see other setups, i am going to try a slinky, its round shot inside a parachute cord it gets down fast and dont hang up as much this should work very well with a piece of 15 pound camo tippet coming off the swivel ,I fish steelhead hardcore in the winter in Pulaski NY, its 20 degrees out everything freezes quickly. I am going to go with a smaller swivel so to cut back on the ice as you strip in, because it will accumulate around the swivel you wont be able to get it through the guides.Thanks for reply, now i have something to do in the hotel as i thaw out from the days fishing.
Do buggers work better in the winter vs summer, vice versa? Or do they work all year around??
They absolutely work all year round. There may be better flies during a specific hatch or time of year but buggers will always always always catch fish 12 months a year! And it doesn't matter if you're fishing spooky New Zealand Browns or Arctic grayling or rainbows or cutthroat they all eat them!😊🍻👍
@@jensenflyfishing thank you so much for gettin back to me. It definitely will help me to use buggers more often now that I know how to properly use them. Cheers!!
When I use the NZ indicator it keeps sinking even with size 14 nymphs. No idea how it's keeping those flies up
You likely need to use more of the wool and don't trim it like they tell you to.
@@jensenflyfishing thank you, I keep getting it water logged, think my presentation is also an issue on the cast or not mending enough
What size barrel swivels do you use? Thanks for the videos!
Sorry for the delay - had to dig the garage door out from this 2 foot blizzard. Danielson crane swivel with solid wire eyes - size 7. There you go!
@@jensenflyfishing thanks for getting back to me. We don't have snow yet but it will be coming soon!
@@bigron8346 you are welcome. Enjoy fall as it lasts :)
@@jensenflyfishing Any suggestions on where to find the Danielson crane swivels? I've looked everywhere online without much luck. Thanks
@@jeffvanik3417 Hiya - I think they were a Cabela's purchase but see WalMart has them too :)