OK, rookie fly fishing question here. The regs say up to three hooks may be used. Does that mean I can tie on three chronomids on my line?

Only before the opener and must be 12.00" apart

Mike, answer is yes... unless the rules for the particular body of water specify a single hook.

Almost all places the answer is yes.

Zen, I was kidding around earler but why would you want to have three flies tied to your leader? How would you do it? I can see having a group together could possible intice a hugery trout or 2 to lash out. 3 trout on at one time would be a kick though. I have enough trouble tossing one as I'm way out of practice but the way fishing is going I may have to upgrade my fly reel for my GL2.

Tie from one eyelet to the next. I've done two but not three before. Only tried this for chronomeds myself.

The hard part is threading a size 18 fly hook with age 46 eyes.

Thanks for the confirmation.

3 flies is common with european fly fisherman who fish lakes. You don't see it much over here - even though legal on most waters.

If you do try it, chronimid fishing under and indicator would be one way. Not a lot of casting needed. Or various trolling techniques. It can be deadly if you vary your speed and allow your flies to sink to the bottom, then speed up and let them SLOWLY rise to the surface, then slow down\stop and let them sink back down - rinse, lather, repeat...

I fish 2 flies often. Dry fly with a nyph dropper. Big dry with a tiny midge. Leech\Bugger with smaller fly \ nymph trailer. Various indicator techniques with 2 egg patterns.

Using 2 flies can help add weight - instead of adding shot or using sinking lines or tips.
A dry on top can act as a strike indicator - and also attract\hook fish. And many other good reasons.

Reasons not to do it:
Some don't find it 'sporting' or 'fly fishing'
Harder to cast - need to open up the loops
You risk losing more than one fly
You risk foul hooking fish if they strike and miss the lead fly and you set the hook and snag them with the trailer...

Generally I just tie the dropper fly to the bend of the top fly's hook using a lighter weight line (and\or flourocarbon).

Back when I learned flyfishing, 3 wet flies was a common method in PA streams. These were the traditional wetflies too with the duck quill wings. If your leader is tapered properly then it's relatively easy to cast with 3 flies. Just don't cast for distance and make sure you have a big loop in your line.

Also multiple fish on the line is not the thrill you think it is. Usually it's a wet blanket feel. I had two 3 pounders on once. One would try and jump and the other would snub him down.

It's an old style meat way of fishing. Very effective too.

next post on current methods. Fishing with two chronies is a good way to fish. Lets one check on which pattern works best and also which depth.

Also, say a dry fly and a small nymph... the dry acts as an indicator.