When to Use Floating vs. Sinking Quick Connects for Fly Fishing (Complete Guide)

When to Use Floating vs. Sinking Quick Connects for Fly Fishing (Complete Guide)

The QuickDrift™ System includes both Floating and Sinking Quick Connects so anglers can adapt their rigs instantly to changing water conditions. Each type serves a specific purpose on the water, and knowing when to use them will help you fish more efficiently and stay in the strike zone longer.

This guide breaks down the situations where each Quick Connect performs best, and how to switch between them as conditions change.

When to Use Floating Quick Connects

Floating Quick Connects are designed to stay on the surface. They are made from a low-density polymer that naturally rides above the water and keeps your connection point from being pulled under.

Use Floating Quick Connects when:

  • You are fishing dry flies

  • You need a delicate, natural drift on the surface

  • You are presenting emergers or soft takes near the film

  • You want your connection point to stay visible

  • You need added sensitivity for subtle topwater strikes

Floating Quick Connects also give you a visual cue, and double as a strike indicator when you place a buoyant material like wool in the secondary hole, just under the hole you use to tie your main or leader line to. When your fly disappears or hesitates, you’ll often see the surface tension shift at the Quick Connect.

When to Use Sinking Quick Connects

Sinking Quick Connects are built to sit just below the surface film. They allow your leader to transition smoothly into deeper water and avoid unwanted floatation at the top of your rig.

High-density sinking connector for fast subsurface rig changes

Use Sinking Quick Connects when:

  • You are nymphing

  • You are fishing deeper pools or faster water

  • You need a direct connection for tight-line or Euro presentations

  • You want your flies to sink quickly without surface drag

  • You are fishing streamers or multi-fly rigs

  • You want a cleaner, uninterrupted entry into the water column

Sinking Quick Connects help you reach the strike zone faster and maintain better control over depth.

When Conditions Change — Swap Instantly

The biggest advantage of the QuickDrift™ System is how fast you can adapt on the water. You already have both Floating and Sinking Quick Connects in your kit, so switching styles takes only a few seconds.

Here are common scenarios where anglers switch:

A hatch starts:
Swap to a Floating Quick Connect and attach your pre-tied dry fly rig.

The sun drops and fish move deeper:
Swap to a Sinking Quick Connect and clip on a nymph or streamer rig.

Fishing pressured water:
Use Floating for subtle, surface-level presentations; switch to Sinking when fish stop rising.

Wind increases:
Use Sinking for better line control and reduced drift from surface tension.

Cold conditions or low light:
Both types allow knotless rig switching, but sinking often helps you maintain better feel below the surface.

How Floating and Sinking Quick Connects Work Together

Most anglers find themselves rotating between the two throughout the day. Here’s a simple way to think about it:

  • Floating = surface work

  • Sinking = subsurface work

Both are included in your QuickDrift™ System so you’re never locked into one style. You can build full sets of pre-tied rigs for each type and switch instantly depending on where the fish are feeding.

Pairing the Right Rig With the Right Quick Connect

Here’s a helpful setup guide:

Dry Flies
Use Floating Quick Connects for the most natural presentations.

Emergers / Soft Hackles Near the Film
Start with Floating; move to Sinking if the flies need to sit just under the surface tension.

Nymphing
Use Sinking Quick Connects to avoid lift from surface drag.

Euro / Tight-Line
Sinking gives you a more controlled, direct connection.

Streamers
Sinking helps heavier patterns drop without resisting the surface.

Stillwater
Use Floating for chironomids near the film; switch to Sinking for deeper cruising lanes.

The Benefit of Having Both (Built Into the System)

Instead of asking “which one should I get?” the better question is:

What is the water telling you right now?

Your QuickDrift™ System comes with multiple Floating and Sinking Quick Connects so you can:

  • Pre-tie rigs for each style

  • Swap instantly as the day changes

  • Never re-tie knots on the water

  • Move between surface and subsurface fishing seamlessly

It’s about being adaptable — and spending more time fishing, less time rigging.

Explore the QuickDrift™ System

Learn more about the full QuickDrift™ setup here:

Green QuickDrift™ system

QuickDrift™ System:
https://www.flytimefishing.com/products/quickdrift

Read more fishing guides and tips:
https://www.flytimefishing.com/blogs/fly-fishing-guides

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