How to Use Split Shot in Fly Fishing?

Split shots can help get flies to where fish are holding in woody debris environments, especially by adding it to sections of the leader above your fly and decreasing chances of snags or break-offs. Split shot fishing requires knowing when and how to add shot or subtract weight for maximum nymph movement and attract fish bites. Here is a complete guide to explain how to use split shots in fly fishing.
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Small Split-shot fly fishing requires more finesse than cranking a worm. For this rig to work effectively, its weighted nymph must move naturally along the bottom. This fishing technique is tricky for beginner anglers as it doesn't create that familiar "tap-tap" strike zone many basses are used to feeling.

One solution is using a crimping tool, which quickly and easily crimps shot on your line without cutting your leader or risking chipping a tooth. Most anglers tie the trail fly off of the lead fly's hook bend, which puts tension on the lead and reduces its natural movement.

An alternative method involves attaching a split shot using a surgeon's knot or blood knot above your lead fly and attaching each sliding dropper loop using another surgeon's knot or blood knot. Each sliding dropper loop features its own perfect loop nymph tied at its end as a first fly.

Some anglers opt to forgo adding split shots altogether and instead utilize non-toxic tungsten putty, shaped into shapes to fit around their fly and added or removed as necessary. This method allows flies to ride higher in the water column, where they're less likely to encounter rocks and land on them.

Start out slowly when adding weight; gauge the speed to determine how much additional is necessary. A common error is adding too much too soon and snagging the bottom.
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Weight adjustment is key when fishing in fast-moving waters. We recommend using a non-toxic split shot, lighter flies, or tungsten putty that you can easily shape and attach to your leaders. These will be less likely to tangle and are easily removed and reused with forceps or pliers. Tungsten packs more weight into a smaller form factor and is also better for the environment.

Establish a system of applying and removing split shots that suits you well. This will make you more efficient at switching up rigs as conditions shift and lessen the time spent getting back into fishing mode. It can make an enormous difference to your catch rate.

Anglers using split shot rigs must recognize a strike indicator that does not feel like a tap-tap. Split shot strikes often produce more of a mushed-like sensation and/or added pressure on the line than traditional strikes do.

Anglers looking to prevent tangles often use a blood knot when attaching their split shot. They trim one tag end close to the knot while leaving another long enough to crimp onto. This strategy ensures a tangle-free fishing experience.

This allows the split shot to move freely while preventing tangles. Other solutions involve blocking it with knots, which could compromise your fly line strength and cost you fish! Tie a perfection loop above your tandem nymph rig to prevent this scenario from occurring again, and attach the split shot using an improved clinch knot instead.
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Split shots can make all the difference in getting your fly down on fish while adding life and style to nymphing rigs, especially when bass feed in crevices like boulders or flood-soaked bushes.

The addition of a split shot to your nymphing rig is not only easy but can also help speed and depth fishing for smallmouth bass in rivers that experience heavy pressure. This feature is especially helpful in heavily pressured rivers.

For those using split shots for their nymphing rigs, it is crucial to use two sinkers instead of just one sinker to help get flies down and out of crevices more naturally. This keeps your rig fishing naturally without an unexpected fly bouncing unnaturally in the current while making removal from crevices much simpler.
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Sometimes, improving your nymphing rig can be as straightforward as adding or subtracting a split shot. Start with what seems appropriate, and then make an upstream cast without your fly to determine how much weight is carrying the rig to its desired depth. If what you initially chose wasn't sufficient, add more.

If you need to remove a split shot, this tool can make life a lot simpler—the fast crimp end quickly crimps it for you while the other force opens it so it can be removed more easily and safely than using your fingers alone, which often results in toxic lead entering anglers' mouths when they re-rig their gear! Plus, once used again, it can be reused!
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When doing fly fishing, a split shot is essential to a successful fly fishing rig, whether for nymphing or streamer fishing. When used properly and carefully, it can become an effective tool in trout fishing.

However, frustration with split shot can sometimes cause a fly angler to forgo it in favor of other methods like tungsten beads for nymph fishing or coneheads when streamer fishing - this would be a mistake as split shot has its place and should always be part of any angler's arsenal. To maximize its use for maximum success, follow these tips.