USING SPLIT SHOT AND MARKERS
SPLIT SHOT FOR WEIGHTED BAIT
Add a split shot weight approx. 8" above the hook. Use two split shots for to get deeper faster, when the current is fast, or in windy conditions. Note - adding more weight will increase the tension felt by the fish. All things being equal, 1 split shot is better than 2 but not if your presentation doesn’t reach the fish at the bottom. Keep in mind, most fish feed 1 -12 inches off the bottom with their nose up. You must get your presentation into this zone.
If adding two split shots place them approx. 12" from the hook.
MARKERS
Place the markers to set your depth and space them a few inches apart. The goal is to get close to the bottom. Because the current will bend and raise your line off the bottom, add depth to your markers. For example, if the water depth is 4 ft, set your markers to 5 ft (depending on strength of current). It is better to set your markers higher and lift the rod if you feel you are dragging off the bottom. Then you can make adjustments.
VERSATILITY
Get Excellent Results with Nymphs, Dry Flies, Fly Worms, Artificials, Live Bait, and River Bait.
NYMPHS
Your Keiryu rod is an excellent nymphing rod because Keiryu enables excellent natural drifts, the key for subsurface fishing. Keiryu nymphing is well suited to Euro style nymphing as you have a vertical, no drag connection to your nymph. A heavy nymph allows you to get deep quickly and the rod provides the sensitivity to feel the take and the stiffness to set the hook. Line Options:
1) Make Your Own Lines. Click here to see options for making your own lines and rigs, including options for single nymph, in-line double rig, and euro style double rig.
2) Use the Owner Yarn Marker Rig. Replace the tippet with a fluorocarbon tippet and nymph. Start with 6X. The goal is a slim, light, fast sinking line. Use split shot if weight is required to get the nymph down deep quickly or if currents are fast.
3) Kevlar and PVC lines. These lines work best for single / lighter nymph presentations that do not need to go that deep. If you are going deep, with heavier nymphs, we recommend options 1 and 2.
FLY WORM
The San Juan fly worm is a very effective fly in rivers, streams and in Alpine lakes. Better yet, worms exist all year, so Trout will opportunistically take them any time. They can be especially effective after rainstorms and high water runs have washed worms into the river.
There are many options for rigging worms. You can use any of the Owner lines, make your own line (follow instructions for single nymph line) or use a Kevlar / PVC floating line.
ARTIFICIALS
Soft baits can be very effective, however, this is a case of experimenting.
We have found the NIKKO Eggs, Hellgrammite and Caddisfly to be very good options. In some areas, they do amazingly well. Note that not all rivers have hellgrammites. In rivers that don't, you generally will not have any luck using a hellgrammite soft bait. But the reverse is also true.
The Owner rigs are excellent for fishing artificials. Use 1 or 2 split shots depending on depth and conditions (take note of the split shot tips at top of page).
DRY FLY
While Keiryu is most often used for subsurface fishing, it can also produce excellent results with dry flies using appropriate floating lines. One advantage to Keiryu dry fly fishing is the ability to reach out far without the burden of extra long lines. Our 5.4m rods paired with equal length lines give the angler the ability to cast out to 34 ft. As the lines are not longer than the rod, landing the fish is quite simple and does not require hand pulling in any line. We have two excellent lines for casting and fishing with dry flies.
The Kevlar 4 meter line was designed as a very easy to cast tapered line. It is well suited for use with the stiffer actions of keiryu rods. It is subtle and tangle free. TIP: Adding a floatant to the line helps it float better. Mucilin is one such floatant we like and recommend.
The Daiwa PVC line is a level line that is 4 meters in length. This line is soft and has lower memory than other lines we tested. The line has moderate weight for casting in moderately windy conditions.
LIVE BAIT
Store bought worms (nightcrawlers, redworms, etc.) are extremely effective and easy to use. Depending on size, cut the worms in half to approx. 1 1/2" (this also doubles your bait).
The Owner rigs are excellent for fishing baits. Use 1 or 2 split shots depending on depth and conditions (take note of the split shot tips at top of page).
RIVER BAIT
All rivers and streams are teaming with live insects such as nymphs, mayflies and caddisflies. Finding bait at the source. It can be fun and extraordinarily effective.
Click here for more information on finding and rigging baits.
Just like baits, the Owner rigs are excellent for fishing river bait. Use 1 or 2 split shots depending on depth and conditions (take note of the split shot tips at top of page).
