Intro | Bounce Advantages | Setting Up Your Rig | Open-Loop Casting | Extreme Nymphing | Nymphing Stillwaters| Bottom Weights

Bottom Weights
Bounce nymphing can be adapted to weedy bottoms, rivers with big rocks, and even lakes. On weedy bottoms I don't use split-shot. I tie a loop on the bottom of the leader and connect a strip of lead-core trolling line by pinching a loop in the lead-core line and connecting it to the leader loop with a loop-to-loop connection. Tug both ends to tighten the knot and the lead-core line will not slip. Use lengths of lead-core line from 3 to 18 inches long. The lead-core line slides easily over weeds.

In areas with big rocks, use several small split-shot in a row, lead-core line, soft weights, or twist-on lead strips instead of one large split-shot to help avoid hanging between rocks.

A weight borrowed from steelhead anglers called a slinky is also good in big rocks. A slinky is a piece of nylon parachute cord with the core removed. Insert split-shot into the hollow cord and melt the ends with a lighter. This flexible pack of sinkers slides easily over large rocks and uneven bottoms. Use a snap swivel to change the slinky and to keep the tippet from twisting as the slinky rolls along the bottom.

Toobies-Shot (www.skipsoriginals.com) is a flexible plastic sleeve you thread onto your tippet and then jam in place with nontoxic shot. It's great in areas where lead is not allowed. Tin, bismuth, or tungsten weights are also good choices. Get used to the idea of fishing without lead because the day is coming when it will be the law. If adding weight to the leader is not allowed (as on some fly-fishing-only waters), use a heavy nymph with the hook bend clipped off as your bottom weight.