Fishing with the Jumping Jack rig – super simple and extremely effective


FISHING WITH THE JUMPING JACK IS A DEADLY TECHNIQUE FOR TROUT AND GRAYLING

In this guide we would like to show you how to fish with the Jumping Jack and show you how you can use it to fish very successfully for trout and grayling in medium-sized and larger flowing waters with very little effort.

Jumping Jack fishing rig

The Jumping Jack – a simple and successful way to catch grayling and trout in medium-sized and larger rivers

The Jumping Jack fishing weight, with its special shape and the unique properties and many advantages it offers is used nowadays as a casting weight in many areas of fishing with great success. However, as the name original name “Tiroler Hölzl” suggests, the Jumping Jack was originally used in Tyrol to fish for trout and grayling in the large Alpine rivers at the bottom of the valleys. This type of fishing was very simple and yet extremely effective, so that fishing with the Jumping Jack has become widespread throughout the Alpine region and beyond. Incidentally, the original name comes from the traditional way it was made: before a hollow plastic tube was used to provide buoyancy, the upper part of the Jumping Jacks was actually made of wood.

Although you don't fish with a fly rod and fly line, the baits used are the same artificial flies as those used in fly fishing. This method is therefore just as gentle on the fish as traditional fly fishing. Another advantage of the Jumping Jack rig is its large range in casting. This technique also allows you to cover lots of water in a short time. In addition, the necessary equipment, the assembly of the flies and the technique itself are very simple. All these reasons contribute to the popularity and high catch rate of this fishing method. In fact, this fishing technique has also been explicitly prohibited in certain waters – precisely because it is so successful.

Grayling Fly Jumping Jack Rig Fishing

The Jumping Jack rig with the appropriate nymphs is virtually a catch guarantee for grayling

Nevertheless, we would like to share with you our knowledge and experience to use the Jumping Jack when fishing for trout and grayling in this short guide. Firstly, because this fishing method is traditionally used in some of the waters of the fishing clubs of which we are members and is not only a successful but also sustainable way of fishing. We are happy to pass on this know-how, which has been developed over generations.

On the other hand, as a leading online shop for artificial flies, we have a great deal of experience with all aspects of fly fishing. This means that you will only find high-quality flies in our shop that have proven their catchability in many different types of water. This also applies to our large selection of special flies for Jumping Jack fishing.

The artificial flies and small hooks ensure a gentle fishing and allow easy unhooking and fast release of undersized fish and protected fish species. Careful management of fishing can minimise the impact on fish stocks caused by excessive catching. In this way, the river keeper can ensure that the fish population in his water remains vital and stable, even when fishing with such catchy techniques as the Jumping Jack.

1. THE RIGHT FISHING TACKLE

Let's take a look at the right combination of fishing tackle. You will be surprised how simple the necessary equipment is for fishing with the Jumping Jack rig. You do not need to buy special rods and reels, but standard equipment that many anglers already have in their cellar will do fine. That's another thing that makes this fishing technique so attractive.

Jumping Jack Rig, Casting, Fishing Rod, Fishing Reel, Fishing

Many anglers already own the right rod and reel

1.1. THE RIGHT ROD

The ideal rod for fishing with the Jumping Jack is 3.30 m to 3.60 m long and designed for casting weights of 20 to 40 grams. A progressive action with a tip that is not too soft makes it easier for you to cast over long distances and to guide the Jumping Jack rig. Longer rods would allow for longer casts and a slightly better angle when guiding the rig. However, in our experience, they are only useful if there is little vegetation near the shore of the water you are fishing. But you shouldn't choose a rod that is much shorter than this either, because the Jumping Jack rig has a length of around 1.5 metres. Therefore, a certain rod length is required to be able to cast comfortably. Whether you opt for a telescopic rod or a 2-3 piece rod depends primarily on your personal preference. For the fishing itself, this makes little difference.

1.2. WHAT TYPE OF REEL SHOULD I CHOOSE?

The right fishing reel for this type of fishing is a common fishing reel with a finely adjustable brake so that you can adjust the pull-off resistance as you like, so that the small fine hooks of the flies do not come loose even when you hook a larger fish or play the fish in the main current. A well-filled spool and a spool shape optimised for long casts will help you reach even greater distances. In addition, your fishing reel should have a capacity of at least 150 m, or better yet 200 m of 0.26 mm line. This is because the Jumping Jack rig allows you to cast extremely far. You can also let this rig drift very far downstream. If a nice fish takes the fly and pulls dozens of metres more out of the reel during the fight, you'll be glad of the line reserve.

Jumping Jack Rig Fishing Reel

The reel should have a fine adjustable brake and sufficient capacity

1.3. FISHING LINE

As main line we recommend a monofilament fishing line with a diameter of 0.22 to 0.26 mm. The disadvantage of stretch in a monofilament fishing line compared to a braided one is minimised by the self-hooking effect due to the weight of the Jumping Jack and the maintenance of line tension when guiding the rig. On the contrary, in some situations the stretch can even have a desired buffering effect, especially when the hooked fish flees into the fast main current. The monofilament ensures that the tension and thus the pressure on the fish is not too great and the fish unhooks much less often. Even if 200 metres of fishing line on the reel may seem excessive to you, you should not skimp in the wrong place.

1.4. WHAT OTHER EQUIPMENT DO I NEED?

The short and simple answer to this question is: not much! With the Jumping Jack rig, you can fish from the shore in a relaxed manner, so you don't need your own waders. If the shore is accessible throughout, you can even do without boots.

Jumping Jack Fishing Rig River

You can easily fish the Jumping Jack from the shore. In many cases, you don't need wading gear or high boots for this

However, we recommend that you carry a landing net with a long handle or a telescopic landing net. This makes it easier for you to land the fish especially when fishing a long rod and you can reach the fish even on steep banks. Since the Jumping Jack rig is fished with several flies (with barbs), we recommend a rubberised landing net mesh or a silicone mesh. On the one hand, this type of landing nets are gentle on the fish you catch, especially if you intend to release it. On the other hand, your flies are also less likely to get tangled in a net like this than in a mesh landing net.

Moreover, you will need snap swivels and, of course, Jumping Jacks in different weights such as appropriate fly patterns, which we will take a closer look at below.

2. THE BEST FLY PATTERNS

When fishing Jumping Jack style, fly patterns are used that are very similar to classic wet flies or nymphs in terms of their appearance and pattern. We have already put together the best and most successful patterns for this type of fishing in a specific product category. Our fly patterns offer you a wide selection of shapes and colours. They have also been tried and tested in many waters, have proven their catching ability umpteen times over and are certainly not inferior to natural bait. In addition, artificial flies are more durable and easier to handle than natural bait.

Jumping Jack Nymph
Jumping Jack Nymph

Two examples of catchy nymph patterns that you can find in our online shop

All our Jumping Jack flies have one special feature: all patterns have an approx. 10 cm long monofilament leader, which is tied directly into the fly. This 0.20 mm monofilament is tied to the hook shank and threaded through the eye of the hook. This way, the fly stands out nicely from the main line of the rig. In addition, the monofilament piece makes it easier to tie the flies to the rig, as we will see in detail. Even if the monofilament piece that has been tied in has become too short after frequent use, you can of course continue to use our nymphs. To do this, simply tie a new piece of monofilament leader directly to the eye of the hook.

Jumping Jack Nymph tied in leader

The tied-in monofilament leader makes it easier for you to make the Jumping Jack rig

3. THE JUMPING JACK FISHING RIG

If you were expecting complex rigs with a lot of theory and countless variations at this point, we're afraid we'll have to disappoint you. As effective as this type of fishing is, its rig is just as simple. Basically, the entire Jumping Jack rig is tied to the main line. You start out with the Jumping Jack itself and tie a snap swivel to the end of the main line where you attach the Jumping Jack weight. Approx. 40 to 60 cm above the snap you tie in your first fly or nymph. To do this, proceed as follows:

  • Tie a simple knot in the leader that protrudes from the nymph. In our experience, the ideal distance from the nymph and thus the length of the dropper is about 5 to 8 cm. This knot serves as a stopper.
  • The previously tied-in Jumping Jack helps you the keep the tension on the main line for the next step as it makes it easier for you to form a loop in the main line with two fingers. From behind, you pull a piece of the upper part of the main line through this first loop, forming a second loop. The weight of the Jumping Jacks causes the eye of the first loop to close by itself.
  • Now thread the side arm of the nymph through the remaining loop, position the knot of the dropper next to the loop and close it by tighten the main line. If you listen carefully, the knot will crack slightly when you pull it.
  • Finally, pull the dropper towards the nymph until the stopper knot reaches the main line. Done!
Tied in Jumping Jack Nymph

This is exactly how the side arm with the nymph tied to the main line should look

Don't worry, it sounds more complicated than it actually is. In this video, we have put together for you how to tie in the flies to the main line. As you can see, the knot is very simple and tied in a few seconds:

You can tie the nymphs to the main line in no time at all

The knot is rock solid and can even be re-opened if necessary. However, always check the durability of the main line and the dropper and, if in doubt, cut the damaged area. This is because every knot causes crushing, which can damage the fishing line and thus reduce its durability.

Traditionally, three flies are tied on the Jumping Jack rig. The distance between the individual flies is around 30 to 40 cm, so that the entire rig is around 1.5 metres long. However, please note the number of baits or hooks allowed in the respective fishing water, as you may only be allowed to fish with two nymphs or even just one.

Jumping Jack rig setup with distances

Setup of the Jumping Jack rig. These distances have proven to be effective

4. WHAT IS THE OPTIMAL WAY TO FISH THE JUMPING JACK RIG?

Now we are finally ready for the first cast and it remains very simple. The relatively long rod, the streamlined casting weight at the end of the line and the overall very slim rig allow you to achieve enormous casting distances. You can comfortably fish from the shore or a gravel bank. You cast the rig upstream and as soon as the Jumping Jack touches the surface of the water, you close the bail arm so that wind or current do not pull any more line off the reel. You let the Jumping Jack sink to the bottom and take up tension by winding in the loose fishing line.

With long casts, you can cover large areas of water very efficiently

The unique shape of the Jumping Jack enables long casts, but its slim weight in the form of lead or another alloy at the tip and the buoyancy of the air-filled tube means that the Jumping Jack does not lie flat on the river bottom, but stands up. On the one hand, this dramatically reduces snags. On the other hand, it causes the Jumping Jack to ‘bounce’ over the bottom, keeping your flies over long distances exactly where the fish prefer to be: close to the bottom. There, the current is weaker due to the rough riverbed than in midwater. The fish therefore have to expend less energy swimming. Due to the large casting distance, the angle between the riverbed and the Jumping Jack assembly is of course very flat, so that the nymphs are offered very close to the bottom despite the distance between the Jumping Jack and also between each other.

Jumping Jack rig working

Due to the flat angle, all 3 nymphs drift in the catching zone just above the river bottom

5. HOW HEAVY SHOULD THE JUMPING JACK BE?

The correct weight of the Jumping Jack depends less on the casting distance and more on the current and the depth of the water. The Jumping Jack is ideally weighted when you can reach the bottom in the current, but the Jumping Jack still drifts towards you in small jumps, either by itself or with only minimal help from tensing and hauling in the line. You can feel the ‘jumping’ Jumping Jack on the taut fishing line and you can also see it on the bobbing rod tip.

If the Jumping Jack is too light it will not reach the river bottom, so it will drag the flies where the fish are. Experience has shown that the minimum weight should not be less than 20 grams. This is because the Jumping Jack not only takes your nymphs to the bottom and allows them to drift optimally, but also serves as resistance, so that in most cases the fish hooks itself. When you get a take, it is therefore sufficient to reel in quickly and not lose tension at any moment. You don't need to set the hook, mainly because it wouldn't be transmitted due to the long distances and the stretch of the monofilament fishing line.

On the other hand, a weight that is too heavy will remain in place and will not drift away on its own. It is very important that the Jumping Jack moves towards you at the same speed of the current, just by drifting and keeping the line in tension, because this makes the nymphs move at the right speed. At first, the drift may seem too slow to you. In fact, the current at the bottom of the water is slower than at the surface. This also makes the Jumping Jack rig move a little slower. If you have to reel in the Jumping Jack to make the nymphs move at all it is most likely that you reel them in too fast.

Of course, the current in the river is not the same everywhere, so it is important that you feel how fast your Jumping Jack is drifting. In the stronger main current, it is sufficient to keep the fishing line taut. In quieter areas, you will need to support the appropriate drift a little by slowly (!) reeling it in.

To be optimally prepared for any situation on the water, we recommend that you have Jumping Jacks in different weights, from 20 to 40 grams at hand. In our experience, this range covers all currents and depths. Start with a 30-gram Jumping Jack. Cast a few times and then vary the weight up or down until you have found the right weight for your body of water and the actual current.

Tiroler Hölzl klassisch

The "classic" Jumping Jack weight with green rubber tube and lead weight at the tip

Tiroler Hölzl bleifrei

Jumping Jack with lead-free weight and inconspicuous transparent tube

Since fishing with lead has been restricted or banned altogether in some waters, we also have suitable lead-free Jumping Jack weights for you. In addition, the tube of these Jumping Jacks is transparent, so it is less conspicuous than those in the classic green colour.

Thanks to the snap swivel, replacing the Jumping Jack is quick and easy. In addition, the knot on the swivel is also a kind of predetermined breaking point. Should an inextricable snag occur, you will keep at least the flies as only the Jumping Jack will be lost.

6. THE CORRECT WAY TO GUIDE THE ROD

To follow the drift as closely as possible and present the nymphs optimally, hold the rod steeply and the tip high so that you form a nice angle. This also reduces even more the likelihood of snagging. In this way, you let the Jumping Jack bounce towards you and always make sure that the fishing line is taut by continuously reeling it in, however avoiding to reel it in actively and thus too quickly.

Fishing the Jumping Jack rig

If you hold the rod steeply upwards, you reduce the risk of snags and can feel nicely how the Jumping Jack ‘jumps’ over the bottom of the water

If the Jumping Jack reaches your position, you have two options:

  1. With the bail arm closed, let the rig drift past you without catching up. This way you will fish the immediate area below your position in a semicircle, because the current and the fixed line length will push the rig in a swing towards your side of the bank.
  2. You open the bail arm of the fishing reel and extend the drift downstream.

7. EXTENDING THE DRIFT

To fish each cast even more efficiently and to be able to effectively cover an even larger area of water, the drift of the Jumping Jack rig can also be extended downstream from your position. You fish the rig as just described. As soon as it comes to your position, open the bail arm of the reel and let the line run from the spool in a controlled manner by clamping it between your thumb and index finger. This way you can still feel the Jumping Jack ‘bouncing’ over the riverbed. Hold the line hand as close to the reel as possible so that you can immediately close the bail arm and start playing the fish as soon as you feel a take. In this video, we have once again illustrated the controlled letting-go of the Jumping Jack rig:

The pull off of fishing line can be perfectly controlled with the fingers

8. CONCLUSION: SIMPLE AND EFFECTIVE

Fishing with the Jumping Jack is sometimes dismissed as mundane fishing for trout and grayling. But the fact is that it is an easy and extremely successful fishing method that can also be used to effectively fish large, wide and deep rivers where fly fishing becomes almost impossible. By using artificial flies, this type of fishing is more fish-friendly and gentle than other methods that use natural bait such as worms or maggots. The necessary equipment is very simple, and, in many cases, you probably already have it. For this reason alone, we think it's worth trying it out for yourself to get an idea and form your own opinion of this type of fishing.

But be warned: with this method, success is as good as guaranteed and many a sceptic has become a convinced Jumping Jack fisherman after the first great catches. Tight lines!


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Andreas Riedl
Andreas Riedl
Fly fisherman, fly tyer
Job: Product Manager
Hobbies: Road bike, balcony gardening
He got in touch with fishing at the tender age of 11 and has been fishing mainly with flies for a good 20 years. As a self-taught fisherman, he is open to everything new and also fishes with artificial flies on sabiki rigs or with a spinning rod. He considers himself lucky to have such an understanding family with two time-consuming hobbies.
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