Hi Tom,

In short, your proposed setup would work exactly the way you suggested. We shared your question with Simon Gawesworth, who is one of the world’s best casting instructors and has worked with Rio to develop many of their products. Here’s his response:

My simple answer to this question would be as follows: “There probably isn’t a better option for fishing that wide range of techniques and tactics than doing as you suggest. The Euro Nymph Shorty can easily be attached to the front of the RIO Gold line for tightline/high-stick nymphing and will work very well doing that. When you need to fish dry flies or streamers, simply remove the Euro Nymph Shorty line, and you will be left with a very versatile line that will throw all manner of dry flies and streamers. This is a great way of fishing all those disciplines with a single rod and reel, keeping the Euro Nymph Shorty and Euro Nymph leaders tucked away in a pocket and pulled out when needed.“

I personally find switching out Euro lines to be a pain while on the water and opt for a two-spool system. I rig one mono-rig style with 15lb Amnesia (work similar to a Euro line) micro-looped to about 30 feet of Pierre Sempe bicolour sighter material that I use as a leader, then add tippet ring and tippet. On my spare spool, I have a Rio Gold 4-weight with a 12-foot tapered dry-fly leader. I use this system with 2-weight and 3-weight Euro rods. For a 4-weight, I would upline to a 5-weight Rio Gold line. I also carry a 3-weight micro Skagit head and a couple Poly Leaders. I can take off the 30′-foot Pierre Sempe leader and attach the Skagit head to the Amnesia. You’d be surprised how well these Euro rods work for singlehand Spey.

Thanks, Gil