I'm currently writing an essay on the use of the Dry-Dropper in South Devon (UK).
From the Introduction:
The story of the Dry-Dropper in South Devon (UK) was interrupted by the stentorian voice of the 'father of dry-fly fishing' - Halford (1844 – 1914), and the silence of the 'father of nymph fishing' - Skues (1858–1949).
In the 21st century "A dry-dropper rig is simple: a dry fly with a nymph tied to it" (Burgert 2020). In the 20th century it was given various catchy modern names that belie its origins: 'Klink and Dink', Duo Method, Dry Dropper, New Zealand Dropper, as well as Fitton's neologism Wry fly (i.e. Wet and Dry Fly).
Despite appearances, the Dry-Dropper is not a modern development. It was described in 1847 by George William Soltau who fished on Dartmoor and rivers in South Devon. This essay describes its early development; but it later fell out of favour because: "The attitudes of dry fly purists such as Halford, his peers and successors played a major part in the strangulation of the development of nymph fishing" (Lawton 2005 p23).
In addition, Soltau moved his Dry-Dropper to mimic the behaviour of natural insects. This way of fishing the Dry-Dropper rig was accidentally discovered by Tom Rosenbauer (2008), and described as 'Loch-Style High-Sticking for Trout' by Ed Engle in 2010.
Soltau's book may have had no effect on the development of fly-fishing outside Devon (UK), but it certainly was of interest to serious collectors of English halieutic literature. A copy of Soltau's (1847) book was included in Charles Thacher’s gift in 2021 to the American Museum of Fly Fishing. According to the museum, "Mr.Thacher is discerning, he knows what merited addition to his collection and what did not."
Link to essay: http://www.flyfishingdevon.co.uk/Pulma ... opper.html
A History of the Dry-Dropper in South Devon (UK)
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Re: A History of the Dry-Dropper in South Devon (UK)
#2Interesting! The first time I heard about dry-dropper was a video by Jack Dennis in the late 1980's about fishing in New Zealand.
I'm an avid 'dry-dropper fisherman' myself. I like the idea of fishing two layers of waters at the same time.
I'm an avid 'dry-dropper fisherman' myself. I like the idea of fishing two layers of waters at the same time.
Re: A History of the Dry-Dropper in South Devon (UK)
#3We always called it hopper-dropper. Kinda rolls off the tongue nicely.
Mark
Mark
Re: A History of the Dry-Dropper in South Devon (UK)
#4Fascinating subject, this is of special interest to me since I mostly fish on Dartmoor. Many thanks for the contribution!
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Re: A History of the Dry-Dropper in South Devon (UK)
#5Halieutic: a fishing-related word I didn’t know. My vocabulary thanks you.paulkenyon wrote: ↑08/07/22 09:19
Soltau's book may have had no effect on the development of fly-fishing outside Devon (UK), but it certainly was of interest to serious collectors of English halieutic literature. A copy of Soltau's (1847) book was included in Charles Thacher’s gift in 2021 to the American Museum of Fly Fishing. According to the museum, "Mr.Thacher is discerning, he knows what merited addition to his collection and what did not."
Link to essay: http://www.flyfishingdevon.co.uk/Pulma ... opper.html
Ad piscatoribus sunt omnes res secundi.