Double-fly rigs: How to use this simple, effective fly-fishing tactic

When it’s not obvious what fish are eating, how do you decide what fly to tie on? When I can’t make up my mind—or if I’m just feeling saucy—I go with a double-fly rig. Where legal, fishing two flies lets you cover more water with a single cast, while also testing flies of different colours, shapes or actions. Multi-fly rigs have been used for more than two centuries, and there are dozens of versions, but I like to keep mine as basic as possible. Here are a couple of my most reliable rigs. They’re simple to make, and designed for easy casting in rivers, lakes, ponds or anywhere else you’re inclined to fling a fly.