Newbie Question....How much Tippet?

[All_Tangled_Up]

I've been wondering what's the "correct" amount of tippet that should be tied to your leader? Is there such a thing? I've been tying about 2' with a blood knot. Does this sound right? Also, if you have a 4X or 5X leader but need a lighter leader, can you just tie on a 6X or 7X tippet to your heavier leader without consequences? And lastly, is there a prefferable knot to use over the blood knot? Any advice is appreciated!

[Phil Lilley]

24 inches is about average (for me) but it depends on the application. I don't think you could do much wrong here.

As far as knots, I use a triple surgen's.

Actually this is a double surgen's- loop one more time for a triple. Wet the knot before tightening.

This is a good knot when tying a larger tippet to a smaller tippet.

[Kicknbass]

Phil,

any reason you prefer the triple surgon over a blood knot? Just curious.

[Danoinark]

For me the surgeons is quicker on the river, and I think they are just as strong...Dano

[UAK squirrelpie]

i dont like the surgeons knot because you have to have your tippet measured and cut before you tie the knot. i mostly use a uni to uni knot. i guess its just a mental thing, but i like tying the knot, then figuring out how much tippet i need. for instructions, go here and scroll down to "line to line".

[All_Tangled_Up]

Uhhh...I like the idea of the Uni-knot. It would be very simple. I'll try that since there are times I seem to be all thumbs tying a blood knot.

[UAK squirrelpie]

plus, with uni to uni, you can save a lot of leader. so, your leader lasts longer. consequently, so does your fly line

[Snow Fly]

Gee! Maybe I do it all wrong,I put a loop on the end of my leader and tie the tippet on the loop with a double clinch knot. Does not seem to create a problem with hinging on the cast and easier to maintain the total length on the leader and tippet in the ranch I usually use which is 9 1/2 feet or so, or you can also do a loop to loop with leader and the tippet.Am I way off base?

[Kicknbass]

I never have liked fishing a Loop to Loop leader connection. Personal taste.

[All_Tangled_Up]

I never have liked fishing a Loop to Loop leader connection. Personal taste.

Forgive my "Newbieness" but any particular reason? The fly shop I got my outfit from tied a loop to loop connection for the fly line and leader. To me that makes it easy to change leaders. Therefore would the same principle apply to leader to tippet connections as well? I've often wondered about this but I was told to use a blood knot by another fly fisherman for strength reasons. I didn't question him at the time. Plus I didn't have a clue what questions to ask anyway. Sorry if it seems I'm making this all technical. I tend to do that once I start getting the idea of something. I'm really just trying to get a handle on this great sport of fly fishing.