ESN
ESN: European Style Nymphing
The purist should move on and not read this article. The purist being the dry fly traditionalist who on occasion will throw a streamer, sometimes an indicator, but would never touch a “Euro” rod.
Years ago, my friend Rob and I would use our five weights and tie small nymphs with split shot to make the setup heavy. The setup would sink fast and we would “tight line nymph” with taut leaders and set our hooks on anything we would feel. Tight line nymphing has been around since fly fishing began. European style nymphing is just tight line nymphing, but the rods, reels, leaders, and flies have all evolved.
I tell my clients how effective and easy to learn ESN is. From small creeks to big rivers, I’ve had lots of success with Euro nymphing, and so have my clients.
When I lived in Eugene, OR and first heard guides were using ESN rods on their drift boats, I was skeptical. I was wrong. ESN rods on the McKenzie drift boats were not only effective, but in 2019 almost every guide had them on their boats.
ESN Fly Patterns
The rods have evolved to extend a little longer, usually ten to eleven feet long since you’re fishing in very close proximity. They often have a much thinner tip for sensitivity and come in two to four weights.
Leader setups have evolved and continue to evolve by the year. I personally use Devon Olsen’s setup with monofilament, sighter material, tippet ring, fluorocarbon tippet, and fly. The monofilament leader is long and in your finger as you fish, giving you that extra sensitivity and vibration. I tell clients, “it’s like a guitar string in your hand.”
Along with rods and leaders evolving, the jig hook has pretty much redefined nymphing. A slotted bead allows the jig hook to orient the position of the hook so its point rides upward and the fly is more horizontal in the drift, preventing as many hook snags on the bottom and increasing hook sets.
I don’t know many who tie on traditional hooks anymore. I still tie some, but not as many as I used to.
ESN
You are limited with casting. Because of the monofilament leader, it’s more a lob than a cast. Most of the fish are in close, so I’d worry more about bright colored clothes than my cast and keep it short and within reach of the rod length or two.
Overall I love dry fly fishing. I love lots of styles of fishing, including ESN. It’s effective in all types of water conditions and easy to learn. Don’t forget how to cast a dry fly or strip a streamer, but ESN is just another feather in the cap and another resource to be used.
Tight Lines,
Greg
