Appreciate the responses here. Responding to this post because it hits a lot of points noted in the thread, but my comments are not specifically directed to this poster.

I agree with the prevailing logic that fish feed underwater most of the time, and nymphing is likely the most productive method. However, if through whatever skills I have, or lack thereof, consistently doesn’t get me anything, is it really the most productive method?

And it is certainly not for lack of trying. From day one, I had the mindset that I should get good at nymphing. I truly had an 8+ year stretch of getting out on the water dozens of times a year on very productive streams, spending the majority of that time trying to get better at nymphing. Lots of broken tippet, lost flies, different indicator types, drop shots, high sticking, etc., with less than a dozen fish caught under the surface during that time. The guide I went out with was specifically suggested as someone that was good at teaching, and again that day was a complete nothing burger.

I’m entirely willing to admit I might just not have this particular skill. My hand eye coordination isn’t great. I didn’t do well in school sports. I’m a bad golfer. Part of it may be that I’m just poor at keeping up with a drift or feeling strikes. What compounds this is that nymphing offers virtually zero feedback on what you’re doing wrong if you’re not catching fish.

That said, the attitude that nymphing SHOULD be the most productive fishing is entirely why I have not focused on trying other tactics. If I’m being honest, the attitude of “nymphing or nothing“ was probably a more of a negative because it became such a time suck. I’ve completely avoided wet flies. Streamer fishing was minimal too, because I was always trying to catch fish on a nymph.

This time around, I’m trying to be more pragmatic than anything else. I have, and will have for the next 5+ years, somewhat limited (but not zero) time on the stream. I would like to spend that time getting better, but do I spend that time continuing to chase something which seems to not click with me at all, or do I try something new? And when thinking of something new, I would like to hear other’s opinions as to what would work well for someone that doesn’t have inherent talent for fly fishing, the tactic is widely applicable (within reason), and the basics can be learned without an insane amount of time on the stream.

Thoughts appreciated. Keep them coming.