Tippet: Mono v. Fluorocarbon

[AKSkim]

The past week I have hitting the stream and fishing pretty much just midges.

I do not profess to know a great deal about mono and fluorocarbon.

However, what I have learned here on NEFF and in some fly fishing articles every now and then, is that fluorocarbon is good for subsurface fishing because of its light refraction index which is close to that of water or PFM (Pure F-N Magic) to me.

It is not good for dry fly fishing as I am told.

Started off fishing Fluoro yesterday with midge larvae and switching over to mono with midge pupae when the trout started chasing after them in the film.

I also noticed that my fly was turning over a lot better on longer casts. At first I thought it was my casting was improving before my very eyes. But it wasn't long before my curiosity got the better of me and I cut the mono off and put the fluoro back on using the same fly.

I have to admit, I was astonished to see a huge difference.

Now, I had to ask myself, was it the difference in the materials or was it really me, and there is no difference in casting either materials????

How much of a difference my leader come into play?

As always, looking for some comments and various points of views.

AK Skim

 

[C&R]

I find it more challenging to tie flies on with fluoro than with mono. Its much softer and kinks much easier. Becomes a real pain when tying on a size 18 or smaller with 6x or 7x tippet. I can't say the line choice affects my presentation because it sucks with either material.

 

[trico mike]

I fish fluro all the time dry and wet never have problems. Ido feel that when fishing it dry the fish dont seem to get spooked when my leader passes over them. You might want to try the frogs hair fluro it is very strong and does not kink or get nicked up like other brands as far as casting never had any problems turning over flies even with 15 foot leaders.

 

[NJFred]

Personally I don't notice a difference in casting with material.

Outside of casting technique, a properly built leader which nicely turns over the fly is key. In fact, it is often an overlooked variable in success!

A good leader will dramatically improve accuracy of presentation (proper proportions) and reduce drag (lenght and tippet size) but crucial to getting the fly over the fish in a way the fish will eat it. More good drifts over a fish's position means more takes and thefefore hookups.

 

[afishinado]

I carry spools of both fluoro and mono in my vest – Orvis SS and Mirage. The fluoro seems to be stiffer than the mono. I find the fluoro is fine for larger dry flies, but tends to sink tiny dries. Overall, Fluoro seems stiffer than mono. That may be the difference you see in casting, but my guess would be the opposite, that the fluoro would turn over a fly better than mono because it is stiffer, but mono would give a better drag-free presentation since it more supple. You said your casting improved with mono – how so? Turnover and/or accuracy? I have never noticed any difference in casting performance of the two types of tippet, but next time on the water I will experiment and compare the differences – if any.

 

[Randyflycaster]

I use flouro almost all the time. I prefer working with 5X flouro than with 7X mono, though I rarely fish real small flies. Also, because flouro sinks it means I could go with a little less weight when I'm fishing nymphs or streamers.

Randy

 

[AKSkim]

Randy:

Big night tonight...

Pedro is back....

FYI- He is going into the HOF as a Red Sox you know. He is just out on loan for now. I plan on watching him tonight.

 

[Future Fanatic]

FYI- He is going into the HOF as a Red Sox you know.

Just curious, would that be "Red Sock"?

 

[Burtbords149]

Just curious, would that be "Red Sock"?

We can just call the by their masculine original name. He's a Red Stocking. So basically you guys are a bunch of seductively colored pantyhose. ...go Yankees!

 

[AKSkim]

We can just call the by their masculine original name. He's a Red Stocking. So basically you guys are a bunch of seductively colored pantyhose. ...go Yankees!

Actually...

The RED LEGGINGS.. was the first professional baseall team.

Today, we just call them the Cincinatti REDS.

Burt... you have my permission to SUCK-UP to FF.

Hummmm.. didn't those YUNKS blow another game this afternoon????

27.. 2008
27...2009
27....2010
27.....2011

jumping ahead...

27............ 2089