Hi i have just recently started fly fishing and have begun to use droppers but find that after 2/3 casts the dropper has twisted itself around the mainline and sometimes knotted itself . is there any way to stop this or reduce the ammount it twists ?

Welcome to the forum.when using droppers you have to slow down/open up the casting loop.this will help a bit,but you will always get some tangles with droppers,it's the nature of the beast.

Jim

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When you tie the dropper on and have two loose ends be sure you cut off the end nearest the hook. Also try stepping up the line strength for the dropper i.e. if using a 4lb line use 5lb for the dropper. Because it's slightly stiffer it helps keep it sprouty.

As Jim said above it is unfortunately the nature of the beast.

Oh nearly forgot don't make it to long, 2-3 inches is enough.

yh a stiff Fluro or nylon about 8lbs imo and keep the droppers short about 6inches and make sure the top tag you cut off is as close as u can get without the knot failing you, i usually start with a dropper about 9 inches if i dont know what there taking and then aim for a dropper of only a few inches with the killer fly

I would venture to disagree on this point, as I've always found that the end running down towards the hook is by far the stronger option on which to tie your dropper. You may find that the dropper wraps around the leader a bit more than when using the end facing back up towards the fly line, but you will get less breakages.

As far as getting the odd casting knot in your droppers is concerned, don't worry about it as it happens to us all. In fact, some anglers intentionally tie an overhand knot in their dropper length to encourage the dropper to stand out from the main line.

Graham

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I agree with WF.you must always cut the tag end nearest the flyline.

Jim

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The Fishermans Friend is the Flirty Fly,Fickle Food for Fleeting Fish.

Thx a lot for all your replies ill be trying out your suggestions for sure on my next trip it has helped me a lot

Steve

I do not agree with WF or grayling. If you cut the top one and use the lower then it tends to wrap around the line every time, it dangles right next to it. Soon as you lift the rod it clings to the mainline-well, it would!

If you use the top then it sticks out and away at right angles to the mainline. Even more so if you go up a lb or two for the dropper. I'm talking 2-3" dropper not 6-9".

Personal preferences obviously, but I know which I prefer and why.

The trouble with using the upward facing leg is you're more likely to suffer a breakage at the knot than if you use the downward facing leg. Conventional wisdom does recommend the downward facing leg and I agree.

There are fundamental reasons why you should use the downward facing 'tag' of a three turn water knot as your dropper -

1. The dropper fly is tied to the 'main line' and
2. The pull of the fish is in the direction of the knot, not against it as would happen if you were to use the upward tag.

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