Tips on Making Tandem Rigs for Fishing

Knots and Connections

Tandem rigs can be tied using several different knots. The most common knot is clinch knot, but an open loop style knot is also effective when using large flies. Use the clinch knot or an open loop to connect the first fly to the leader. Use a clinch knot to connect a section of tippet to the bend in the hook or the eye of the hook. Use a clinch knot or an open loop knot to connect the second fly to the tippet.

Distance

The distance between the two flies depends on the fishing situation. If you are fishing two dry flies, use less than 8 inches of separation. The same rule applies to fishing a dry fly with an emerger fly. The natural emerger will be close to the surface, and your fly should be as well. You can separate the flies more when fishing a dry fly and a nymph. If you are fishing in deep water, separate the flies by 1 foot or more. Nymphs are most effective when fished close to the bottom.

Streamers

Fishing two streamers in tandem is an effective technique that is not often utilized. This technique should be utilized when targeting large fish. Separate the two streamers by 6 inches. Use a small streamer as the first fly in the rig and a large streamer as the tandem fly. It will appear as if the large streamer is chasing the small streamer and a dominant fish will attack one or both of the streamers.

Two Nymphs

Fishing two nymphs is one of the most common tandem rigs. The nymphs can be fished using a high sticking technique or they can be placed beneath a strike indicator to control the depth. Attach the heaviest nymph to the leader and use a smaller nymph as the tandem fly. The heavier nymph will help the rig get to the bottom and the smaller fly will make an offering slightly higher in the water column. This will present the fish with multiple options and increase your catch rate.