Dry dropper fishing, often referred to as duo fishing or klink and dink, combines a buoyant dry fly with a small nymph suspended beneath it. The dry fly acts as both a surface imitation and a visual bite indicator, while the nymph fishes below the surface where trout often feed. It is a versatile method for rivers, particularly when fish may be taking insects at different depths or when there is no obvious hatch.
The setup is simple. A larger, buoyant dry fly is tied to the end of the leader, with a length of tippet attached to the bend of the dry fly hook or to the eye where appropriate. A lightly weighted nymph is then tied to the end of that dropper tippet. The dry fly should be large enough to support the nymph without being dragged under, while still looking believable on the surface.
This method is particularly effective when prospecting runs, glides and pocket water. The dry fly provides a visible target and can attract trout feeding near the surface, while the nymph searches the water beneath. It allows anglers to cover likely holding areas efficiently without constantly changing between dry fly and nymph setups.
The length of dropper tippet determines the depth at which the nymph fishes. On shallow, fast water, a short dropper may be all that is needed. In deeper or slower water, a longer dropper allows the nymph to reach fish holding closer to the bottom. Start with a manageable length and adjust it according to the depth and speed of the water.
A drag-free drift remains essential. The dry fly should drift naturally with the current, without being pulled across the surface by the line. If the dry fly starts to skate, sink or behave unnaturally, the nymph is unlikely to be drifting correctly below it. Mending line and positioning yourself carefully will help maintain a clean drift.
### Bite Detection
The dry fly is often the first sign that a trout has taken the nymph. If it dips, pauses, moves sideways or disappears, strike immediately. Trout may also take the dry fly itself, so every rise, swirl or movement around it should be treated as a potential take.
Dry dropper fishing is especially useful on smaller rivers, where a bulky dry fly can be easily seen amongst broken water and the nymph can reach fish holding beneath fast surface currents. It is also a useful method when fishing unfamiliar water, as it helps anglers establish both whether fish are looking up and how deep they are feeding.
At Peaks Fly Fishing, dry dropper fishing is one of the most useful all-round methods for river trout. It is not always the most refined approach, particularly when fish are selectively feeding on a specific hatch, but it is an excellent way to search water, locate feeding fish and catch trout at more than one depth with a single cast.
## Recommended Equipment
### Rods
* 8ft 6in to 9ft 6in fly rod.
* A #4 rod is suitable for smaller dry flies and very small nymphs on modest-sized rivers.
* A #5 rod is often beneficial when using larger buoyant dry flies, longer leaders or fishing on breezy days.
### Fly Line
* Weight Forward Floating.
### Leaders & Tippet
* 9ft to 12ft tapered leader.
* Fine tippet to the dry fly, matched to the conditions.
* Short to medium dropper tippet below the dry fly.
## Peaks Fly Fishing Tips
* Choose a dry fly buoyant enough to support the nymph.
* Start with a shorter dropper in shallow or fast water, then lengthen it as depth increases.
* Strike immediately if the dry fly dips, stops, moves sideways or disappears.
* Use a lightly weighted nymph so the dry fly is not constantly pulled under.
* If trout are clearly rising to one natural insect, switch to a single dry fly and focus on presentation.