Hi all is it possible to fish a nymph on a sinking line in deep tidal water? I will be casting upstream and allowing the nymph to drift back to me gathering line as it comes back.
I know it can be done with a floating line but has anyone tried it using a sinking line, is detecting bites a nightmare? please help.

It's a method devised by a guy called Charles Brook in the US a long time ago. He used big stonefly nymphs on a HiD in deep fast rivers. The fish hook themselves against the weight of the line and the current.

Good luck if you try it.

I've seen the Czechs fishing nymphs on fast sinkers. They cast downstream and then inch the flies back past likely lies.

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Thanks for the replys The reason I ask is that I need to get the nymphs down deep the water can often be up to nine ft deep off the rod tip and flowing through hard. fishing downsteam just makes the fly sit only inches below the surface.
I know the americans use heavy shot and big indicators but this must be a nightmare to cast.

i would think an addition of a tungsten bead to your fly might help it to sink?

In deed we do .... the cast is called the "chuck and duck" for very good reasons.