Based partly on success in international competition, the various European techniques—Czech, Polish, French—have stirred interest in America recently. In competition, suspension indicators and split shot are not allowed. Techniques include 10–11 foot single-handed rods, very long leaders incorporating high visibility “sighters” for strike indication, weighted flies that allow longer casting with long leaders, and sometimes thin diameter fly lines. The techniques are related to short-line, high sticking nymphing.

A new library acquisition is the excellent, highly recommended DVD by Devin Olsen and Lance Egan, Modern Nymphing: European Inspired Techniques. The DVD includes description of when to use conventional nymphing versus Euro methods.

Two other DVDs featuring Lance Egan are also available. The titles are Nymphing Foundations and Nymphing Expert Tactics. The first is on conventional techniques and the second on European techniques. Egan is the guy who landed 72 trout in three hours on the Crooked River in October 2012 during the U.S. National Fly Fishing Championship; see Don Robert’s article in Fly Fishing & Tying Journal, Spring 2013.

Featuring Euro-techniques, we also have the valuable book Dynamic Nymphing by George Daniel, who is a friend of Lance Egan. Daniel also has several YouTube videos.