i probably spend less time retying than most because i'm not tossing those 4'+ leaders that you see most using these days. short leaders snag up less. not to mention that when i do snag up, it's a lot quicker to retie than a float setup.

i find myself playing with depth settings a lot when tossing the bobber around, since i don't use them to fish long runs of consistent depth. with drift gear, you're always in the strike zone, within a foot or so of bottom.

i don't rag on the bobber guys as much as i used to as i do a fair amount of that type of fishing, but do bemoan the decline of the art of drift fishing these days. however, that does give me an edge in some situations, since i can pick off a lot of the fish that the jig tossing hordes pass over, especially on the smaller rivers.

Some float.
Some sink.

It's a diet thing.

So this is that snootie sh!t that Vedder teaches in Bobber School ?
Figgered.

Stam in for the win!

Snootie? More like lazy, the less reties the better for these old eyes, especially in low light conditions.

I have fished Washington Rivers starting with dink floats since the 80’s having learned the method from some of the short fishing trips taken to Canada. Since there wasn’t much tackle like these floats and worms etc. available around here at that time, I would stock up at Fred’s tackle shop each year while up there.

I was fishing one SW WA river in the early 90’s and a couple of good ol’ local boys came up and said we don’t fish this river with gear like that. I said that is too bad you would catch more fish if you did.

Next time I went fishing down there guess what some of the anglers were using?

+1 milyun

I've become lazy and half blind, and using a float keeps me fishing more, and being pissed off less. I can see the float, it's the knot tying that takes glasses these days.

Ol drifter here, but, I have had my ass kicked by cork soakers a couple of times. And, I've paid them back a few times too!

So, in closing, I'll keep on driftin'

fp

I don't give twoshits...there are douchebags and clowns fishing with every conceivable method, and there are rockstars and cool dudes fishing with every conceivable method.

I just fish the way I feel like fishing, and worry very little about how other people are...I also catch pretty much exactly as many fish as I need to, and worry little about how other people are catching more or less than me, too.

As a matter of fact...I try pretty hard to not worry about anything at all when I am out fishing.

That's what I get to do when I am working.

Flossers and snaggers are always douchebags, whether they do it with drift gear, boobers, or...gasp!...flyrods.

Fish on...

Todd

I used to have an opinion about this kind of thing, but I have either became totally enlightened or reached total apathy. I wish I had time to care about how someone else fished.

Right now, plunking is my favorite.

It is fishing with your mind only, the physical aspect is just lobbing out the stuff 10 feet from your rod tip. You can choose to think about what is going on, and refine your set up all day long, or you can just turn off your brain and sit by the fire.

Right now I would love to turn off my brain for 3 hours.

I don't care how others fish either. However, I do think there is something to be said for each method. Here is how I see it.


Drift Pros: Coverage, slower presentation, fish heavier water, grab.

Drift Cons: Snags, dragging bottom can spook fish, not a natural drag free drift.


Float Pros: Natural presentation, no bottom contact (Unless you want it), fewer snags, doesn't spook fish, fish slower water

Float Cons: Less coverage of all water types, more gear to deal with if you throw it into the trees et cetera, less detection of soft bites (Maybe?).


Did I get it all wrong? Any additions subtractions?

Pretty much what Todd said. Who gives 2shits? Go outside and fish. Have fun and make memories. Everything else is background noise.

It seems like most here are well versed in many styles or techniques. The topic was float vs drift but has turned into a technique debate. For every water condition or type of holding water there is a technique which will increase your odds for success...To me, the guys who can employ all techniques (flyfishing included) are the ones at the top of the food chain for arguments sake.

Plunking... I have become hopelessly addicted to plunking spring chinook. I normally would be breaking out the fly rod in spring but have gotten hypnotized by watching the plunking rod dance in anticipation of a chinook takedown.

So, yeah....who the fuk cares, go out and have fun!

Netting !!!!!

"Shampoo is better, it goes on first and cleans the hair. No, conditioner is better; it goes on second and leaves hair silky smooth." Anyone putting real effort into debating this topic is about as smart as Billy Madison.










For the record, I float fish. I think it cuts down on my river cursing and gear carrying.

Whatever works for the conditions at hand.

What a useless conversation! Reminds me of fly snobs arguing about strike indicators. For me, it's upstream dry fly or nothing! I'd rather enjoy my casting than disgrace a fish with a strike indicator!

Well that makes perfect sense! What steelheader worthy of the name would ever disgrace a steelhead?

I've seen guys flyfishing using those little balloons with corkies/beads and micro shot with pretty good results. Seems like a lot of weight and commotion to use a fly rod to float fish. Dry fly for steel in the summer/fall is a blast...single hand rod, dry line and fly...awsome.

If only hatchery winter runs ate dry flies like fat kids eat skittles

Plant every ditch instead of pretending there are still wild strains of fish in the lower 48.