Tippet Material

[Caddis]

What type of Tippet materials do you guys use? I've been using the Orvis material for years and like it very much. I've tried using Varvaris <sp> and don't care for it at all. It breaks much too easily and the knot's tend to slip quite often when catching a fish. I've never lost so many fish before because of these reasons. I suggest staying away from varvaris and using something else.

What type of materials do you use? I'm interested in knowing what works best for you.

 

[JOE.T]

AL'S guys truned me on to rio tippett and leaders,as well as my friend josh the guide in montana at this point i use there new flourocarbon tippet its expensive 12.95 per roll but i personally think its great stuff. Its also got a sronger breaking strenght than the standard rio.

 

[GeneM.]

I've had just the opposite results with Varivas. I used Umpqua and Orvis for several years until 2 years ago. One of the shops on the Farmington river here in Ct. started selling Varivas in the lighter tippett sizes. I've found that the 6x-8x were stronger and the diameters fairly accurate compared to some others, that I now use it in all sizes. When I find the need for flourocarbon I am pleased with Rio. I'm also pleased with the abrasive resistance of both materials.

 

[Caddis]

That's very interesting. I think I'm going to try the RIO. The Varivas seems to slip on me quite often. I use a blood knot for my tippets and a perfection knot for my flys. When using the Varivas, both of them slip on me. In some occasions I lose only the fly and in others I lose the tippet, and of course the fly that goes along with it.

What type of knots are you using, maybe I'll try a different one?

I find that while using the Orvis stuff, I very rarely get broken off. When I do, I thinks it may be due to user error!

 

[GeneM.]

I use a two turn surgeons knot for attaching tippett to leader, its fast and strong. For attaching the fly to tippett I use a 5 turn clinch knot. I really like to keep things quick and easy especially when those Delaware trout are rising. I've found Rio's standard tippett material to be quite slippery, stong but slippery.

 

[JOE.T]

Guys, i thought this might be interesting info on rio tippets and helpful as well. I USE BOTH the flouroflex and the new flouroflex plus. I am not technologicaly advanced so i cant set up a think but you can log onto thetroutshop.com click on terminal tackle and then click on rio lines and leaders. I use a two turn surgeon knot to connect tippet and a cinch knot for my flys.Hey dennis when you take that class with al he will cut of your leader and splice one on.HAHAHA(INSIDE JOKE).

 

[JOE.T]

I should of explained read info about flouocarbon and why its better than nylon.Invisible,stronger,denser so it sits in the film not on top.etc ETC.

 

[Caddis]

I don't want him touching my leader, I love my braids! I only use Fluoro, but quite honestly, I think it's a mental thing... You know, about 7-10 bux more than mono, must be better. For the first 18 - 19yrs of my fly fishing career, I've only used mono and have never had an issue. Now along comes this other stuff and here I am using it. I can't recall if I noticed a difference, but I'm not about to go back, this stuff works, it's reliable, and expensive (which is key to anything we buy these days, if it's expensive, it must be good!!!).

I'm definetly going to try the RIO. That's even more expensive than the Orivis... OOOOOH I can't wait to get my hands on this stuff!

 

[JOE.T]

Your right, its definitely a mental thing i to never had problems with any tippet or material before!And come to think of it my first set up- rod,reel,and line was about 60$ and I caught many ,ManY fish with it!The more money the better right?

 

[Caddis]

Well, as far as the rod/reel combo thing, that is different! Try a cheapo rod today and compare to your Loomis. I can see an imediate difference with a good rod and a bad rod. That's not to say that you can't get a good rod for cheap, just try a few different ones out first and compare to something more expensive... You might like the cheapo rod better.

 

[Andy B]

Far as tippet material and leaders I use two brands. For when I buy leaders I use Climax. I also buy the climax tippet material to compliment the product. When I have time and make my own leaders I use the Umpqua leader kit. Far as buying tippet material I tend to buy the brand that my leader is made from. If you take a look at various brands of tippet material in this case lets use 5X you will see one thing that stands out which is the strength or maximum pounds before breakage. I look for the diameter size or thickness. Matching and tying on a piece of tippet material that is slightly different in thickness can lead to unexplained breakoff's and or week splices in the knot. If the fishing is slow I really prefer to use a blood knot wich is much stronger and tranfers engery in a more efficient manor than a surgeons knot. I will say I dislike cortland and Scientific anglers leaders and tippet material.

 

[Caddis]

Andy,

You mention that you will use a blood knot over a surgeons knot. I only use a blood knots when connecting my tippet to my leader. My question to you is why do you use the blood knot only when the fishing is slow?

Thanks,

Dennis

 

[Caddis]

I believe that the blood knot hits the water with a bit more finess than the Surgeons knot. Also, If you're using the Surgeons knot to tie your leader onto your flyline, I would recommend using the nail knot instead. It never gets stuck while running through your guides.

Dennis

 

[fcch]

I like Maxima leader material as it is relatively "stiff". The ability of the leader to dissipate the energy of the flyline is important and I like my leaders to be 2x to 2.5x the length of the rod. I mostly fish for Salmon and 2-6 lb sea run brooks.

 

[NJFred]

Seargar.... flourocarbon and damn expensive at about $13 a spool. However, the key to the material is that it is stronger than std stuff but more importantly is seems to be very supple... helpful for those dragless presentations. The only downside to it is that you must tie knots carefully. I found more breakage problems with double surg knots than with other brands. However, a triple surg completely resolved the issue.

In terms of leader material... I like to use more rigid material for better turn over... that is for material toward the butt. The two materials combined make what I think is a great leader and fishing with it last year it seemed to make a difference in hook up rates although its very hard to really tell. Better precision but with a flexible tippet for less drag.