Fly Fisherman - A dropper fly.

[Gene L. Kouba]

I've tried to fly fish with a popper and adding a dropper wet fly to the popper.  Problems are many!  Where and how do you attach the the line to the popper so as to not "tangle" the two.  How long of dropper line does everybody fine to be the appropriate lenght?  Any information I could receive would be appreaciated!

[Steve Crowder]

To much trouble Gene. I just stick to one fly at a time!

[Jen Nayfly]

Just stick with the popper about an hour before sunset to an hour after sunset. You won't need a dropper

 

[dennis chaney]

tye to the hook bend. i fish them about 8" to a foot behind the popper.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

And there you have it - tie the fly to the hook bend with an improved clinch knot. This keeps the dropper line tight to the popper's hook and away from the "works."

 

Often the plan is to tie the fly to the poppers eye, or on a dropper blood loop out front. Eventually, this method tangles the whole works and you get frustrated.

 

But tied to the hook itself with the rigid clinch knot and 4# test line, the fly rides in the back of the bus. I would also use a  longish dropper line - something around 18"-24".

As far as I know, the sort of fly you use is important, too. You want a wet nymph style. This sinking fly will ride below the popper, catching the attention of the larger bluegill drawn to all the commotion caused by the popper. The popper itself then acts as a strike indicator.

 

My brother in law was a real "brim slugger" using this method back in the day. I just ordered a bunch of poppers myself for this.

[Bryan W]

I also tie in the dropper at the popper hook bend.  Along with 8-12 inches of line before the dropper.  The thing I find that helps me is to open up my loop while casting.  This tends to make more of a splash, but  I find this acts like a dinner bell on those hot summer evenings too!