Paul Gandell has spent the last week on a special TRM research project… So who is Paul? TRM’s 4 year old video will introduce him.
TRM’s research department has been following Paul’s progress to assess which is the most successful method of casting on the Tongariro River – between “Euro-nymphing” and traditional nymphing. Wet liners were not invited to participate as they might have won.
All trout landed were gently released with a blessing. During the week the results and trout condition varied. The Rainbow below was the only one landed last Thursday morning somewhere upriver. Paul had lost the access track but it looked like the TRB above Fan Pool. It was typical of the condition of most others and weighed in at 4.5 pounds (2 kilos). Some mornings one good fish like this is better than several smaller trout.
Paul reported there were several good opportunities with plenty of trout spotted, but on his first false cast a fleet of rafts swept through the pool. He waited for the trout to settle down again when another flotilla of kids on rafts arrived. Then he gave up.
After a short week of comparing casting styles Paul wrote:
Hi,
I have had a closer look at my diary and I reckon that the split is actually 70% regular nymphing and 30% euro nymphing …. But let’s not let the facts get in the way of a good story 😀
This is the jack I kept. It took me well into my floating line before I got him under control. He struck and instantly ran like a demon. Quite difficult to control.
I think euro rods have a very soft tip for sensitivity and a very stiff butt for control … which is why they can be 3 or 4 weights. Because of the way you fish these rods anything heavier weight-wise would be a killer on the arm if fished all day.
Paul
Hi Ross,
The regular nymphing vs euro nymphing project is now complete and the results are as follows.
I had the auditors check the numbers and this has resulted in a small correction from my verbal report.
Full days fishing: 5 day
Average hours per day fishing: 6 hours
Average hours in the morning session: 3 hours (9:00am – noon)
Average hours in the afternoon session: 3 hours (2:00 – 5:00pm)
Percentage of time spent regular nymph fishing: 60%
Percentage of time spent euro nymph fishing: 40%
Fish landed regular nymph fishing: 8 fish (3 in the morning sessions , 5 in the afternoon sessions)
Fish landed euro nymph fishing: 7 fish (6 in the morning sessions, 1 in the afternoon sessions)
Fish lost regular nymph fishing: 7 fish (5 in the morning sessions, 2 in the afternoon sessions)
Fish lost euro nymph fishing: 0 fish
Bottom line is that euro fishing is a very useful technique to have in the tool box.
I had no idea if I would like this technique so rather than rushing out and spending $2,000 plus on a euro nymphing rod, reel, line etc I just bought a scientific anglers euro nymph kit https://www.flyshop.co.nz/SRCH.html?Search=Euro+kit for under $50 and attached it to the floating line on my 4 weight 9 foot rod. Only once did I get to the regular fly line when an angry jack took off before I could get him under control.
I’m sure the full euro setup would provide more control and precision … but I think my results indicate that the kit approach is a great way to experience this method of fishing without having to mortgage the house.
Hope others might find this analysis useful.
Regards
Paul