Replacing my tippet

[Bamboozle]

A couple of tippet things...

IF the brand survives a few years in business, ALL tippet spools will get redesigned at some point making a tippet dispenser that accommodates them, obsolete.

This is the reason tippet dispensers that fit a particular size spool (like the one sold by Orvis many moons a-go) fell out of favor and were replaced by clunky spool holders.

I've been using a homemade tippet dispenser since the 1980's. The one I use to day is MUCH smaller at 4.25" x 3.25" x .75" and holds six spools. Using one requires winding new material onto one of the spools that fit the dispenser which only takes a few seconds with a drill motor or about a minute or two by hand by the creek.

If anyone is interested, the tippet dispenser made by Stonfo is pretty slick and small.

I stick with top brands of tippet, but even at $15 bucks for a 30 meter spool for fluorocarbon, it comes to $0.012 an inch or about $0.16 a foot.

(IF, and that's a big IF); IF I use 10 feet on a fishing trip, that's a whopping $ 1.60 a fishing trip...

Which is considerably less than the eggs I ate for breakfast, the gas it took to get to the creek, any of the cigars I smoked or the beers I drank before and after fishing...

 

[TCWNY]

I use 5x and 6x flouro from Bozeman Fly Works, much cheaper than Orvis and performs great. I landed a big steelhead on the 6x because I was too lazy to change up (and didnt expect to find one anyway)

 

[FollowTheBlueLines]

Has anyone tried the new Umpqua Stratos X dry fly nylon? It's supposed to be dyed "camo" and less dense than regular nylon. I'm sure it's probably just another marketing gimmick, but I was thinking about picking a spool up for ___s and giggles.

 

[ChuckofWagon]

Once you start using a tippet ring, you won't look back.

I started using those this year. In addition I "hook" the ring onto a tiny snap that is tied to my tapered leader.

I do this as I'm disabled and have to break down my rod when moving from location to location. I have an off-road mobility device that gets me around. If I keep the rod completely assembled it will get eaten by a tree or bush. (Ask me how I know)

So, I tie the tippet to the tippet ring, then snap the ring on and off the snap-hook. So far it seems to work....well....with the exception of my current tippet supply being brittle (I think from age and sunlight).

I've knotted the rings using a clinch knot, improved clinch knot, and even a nail knot.

I think I'll be happier when my new supply comes in. I've ordered Orvis 4X, 4.5X (as the 4X is backordered) and 5X Nylon along with another set of tippet rings.....man those are harder to keep track of than a flintlock lock fly!!!

 

[SBecker]

Solardini seems to be the best bang for your buck in fluoro right now (I don’t really use monofilament nylon anymore for nymphing or dries except for building leaders). Combine that with the fact that their 6x is >5lb test and their 5x is almost 7lb and it’s definitely worth trying.

Soldarini S-Power Elite Competition Fluorocarbon Tippet

This tippet has an excellent performance to cost ratio. It is up there with any of the other premium fluorocarbon's that I have fished (Devin) The highest grade of fluorocarbon tippet offered by Sandro Soldarini of Italy - Made in Japan - 50 m spool

tacticalflyfisher.com

Never understood the Seagaur thing- we spend so much money on rods, reels, waders, accessories and yet you’re cheaping out on the one thing between you and the potential fish of a lifetime. I catch enough high teens upper Delaware rainbows that would laugh at that 3lb test during their first run downstream. Now I’m out 2-3 nymphs. Who’s saving money again?

I see one major flaw in your comment.

 

[wildtrout2]

... along with another set of tippet rings.....man those are harder to keep track of than a flintlock lock fly!!!

If you store the tippet rings on a snap swivel, they're easier to keep track of. Also, when you need to use one, it's a good idea to put your tippet through the ring BEFORE you take it from the snap swivel, to avoid dropping/losing it.

 

[ChuckofWagon]

If you store the tippet rings on a snap swivel, they're easier to keep track of. Also, when you need to use one, it's a good idea to put your tippet through the ring BEFORE you take it from the snap swivel, to avoid dropping/losing it.

Yes. And thank you. I actually do these things.....and then out in "the field" stuff seems to happen to me........

 

[Bamboozle]

The furled leaders I have made for me come with 1.5 mm tippet rings but I other than that I don't use tippet rings for fly fishing. However I do use them for other types of fishing.

Long ago when I was buying them from Feather Craft, they just came loose in a Ziploc bag. So I started threading them on a small safety pin (it has to be small because I only use the 1.5 mm size). I pin that to a pocket flap on my fishing shirt or somewhere in a pouch or bag and never looked back.

When pinned, I find them easier IF I need one and it ain't a bad thing to have a pin around when fishing. I even transfer the tippet rings I buy on a snap swivel to a pin.

 

[tjsingle]

I am partial to Rio and Orvis tippet for trout. For streamer fishing I use a spool of Seaguar fluorocarbon between 10lbs and 15lbs depending on the application (fresh vs salt).

I pretty much set up my trout fishing the same way. 4X - 7.5' leader to a 2mm tippet ring than use varying lengths of tippet. All my streamer leaders for trout are just those same 7.5' leaders that got too short.

If I am on bigger water using dries, I will go up to a 9' leader but its not my go to setup.

 

[Nocktavius]

I see one major flaw in your comment.

please elaborate!

 

[falcon]

I mostly use Trouthunter or Rio Powerflex for nylon. I have FC in Trouthunter and Cortland which the Cortland Rep gifted me at the Fly Fishing Show.

 

[PennKev]

Never understood the Seagaur thing- we spend so much money on rods, reels, waders, accessories and yet you’re cheaping out on the one thing between you and the potential fish of a lifetime. I catch enough high teens upper Delaware rainbows that would laugh at that 3lb test during their first run downstream. Now I’m out 2-3 nymphs. Who’s saving money again?

We waste a lot of money on all those other things as well.

 

[tomgamber]

Once you start using a tippet ring, you won't look back.

until you drop a whole clip full in the tall grass. then its never mind.

 

[PennKev]

until you drop a whole clip full in the tall grass. then its never mind.

That's why you attach the clip to your pack/vest/whatever.

 

[nymphingmaniac]

If you store the tippet rings on a snap swivel, they're easier to keep track of. Also, when you need to use one, it's a good idea to put your tippet through the ring BEFORE you take it from the snap swivel, to avoid dropping/losing it.

a safety pin works too. Also, I leave a little tag of line on the ring so I can handle it by the tag

 

[Cebe]

I have relied on Orvis Super Strong for many years. I have also tried various spools of Cortland, Climax, Rio, Scientific Anglers, but have always gone back to Orvis. It is probably made by the same company that does some of these other brands but I figure this way there is consistency across the sizes. I did find other brands that didn’t measure properly with my micrometer for tippet size. Orvis seems pretty true to the sizes.
For building the leader I use Maxima Chameleon down to .013” then switch to Orvis for the tippet sections.
For my two handers I use all Maxima Chameleon.

 

[Nymph-wristed]

I will throw TroutHunter in there with the half sizes and 50 yrd spools..

Mostly fluorocarbon because it lasts longer in my experience. I like nylon in the cold months but not the warm ones. Knot strength suffers and stretch becomes more of an issue.

I actually use Vanish in 100 yard spools for the 5X I use most of the time. The fancier, more consistent diameter stuff for fancier presentations.... I don't get fancy often.

 

[tomb]

a safety pin works too. Also, I leave a little tag of line on the ring so I can handle it by the tag

Those little wire grippers hold the ring nicely while you tie the knot instead of the tag. they can also hold the ring while taking it off the safety pin. I prepped 2 leaders this way ,just last night

 

[SBecker]

please elaborate!

It was more of a tongue in cheek dig at nymphing the Delaware. Delaware should only be dry fly and streamer fished. lol

 

[henrydavid]

I've been having good luck with Maxima chameleon 4lb mono.