A typical tandem rig is a dry / dropper setup where a nymph or some other “wet” fly is attached to the dry fly via a length of tippet.  As a general rule of thumb, you want to have between 24″ and 36″ of tippet between your dry fly and whatever the dropper may be, attached to the bottom of the dry fly with a simple clinch not.  Another benefit of utilizing this method is that you can utilize your dry fly as a strike indicator. 


I usually tie on a size #12 or so caddis due to the fact that it has proven time and again to be one of my most productive dry patterns.  For me, tying a bit of a larger size ensures that I will be able to see the fly in the event of a strike.  Some favorite patterns of me to tie on as droppers are the size #16 Copper John and Beadhead Pheasant Tail Nymph.


For those of you that haven’t tried casting with an additional point of articulation, it will take some getting used to.  My suggestion is to tie a rig on and practice casting at home in your driveway or backyard.  There’s no shame in perfecting a craft and if your neighbors catch a glimpse of you, it could be a great conversation starter.


Once on the water, fish the rig like you would a normal drift, paying careful attention to your mending as the dropper will be more susceptible to unnatural behavior in the water.


Another tip that I heard on a podcast the other day was to try this method with two streamers tied in tandem.  Utilize a size #14 wooly-booger as the base of the rig and tie on a larger predatory-emulating fish like a clouser minnow.  The idea here is to portray a fish in distress (the wooly booger).  In some cases this can excite any surrounding fish and incite a strike.


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