Tippet Topic

[flytyer57]

I never pull my leader/tippet through my fingers or a leader straightener due to the heat created. Just grab an end in each hand and pull in opposing directions. This stretches the leader/tippet and straightens them. Plus if there are any weak spots in them they will break before you catch that fish of a lifetime and then find out you have a weak spot in the line.

[Gallagher]

Good tip!

[stlfisher]

I am using the last of my RIO and I too have had the problems mentioned above. Not sure what brand I will try next.

[Trout Commander]

I have had nothing but success with Rio FlouroFlex. I use 5x for everything, even down to 24's. I tired to save some money and go with the White River Fly Shop flouro and broke off a few and seemed to catch less fish so I went back to FlouroFlex.

[Trout Commander]

I use 2 lb Vanish line for my tippet. Seems to work OK. Of course at night, I up that a bit to 8 or 12 lb.

I use Vanish in 6 or 8lb for my leader material and am interested in trying the 2lb stuff for tippett (read saving money) but I have not seen it before. I will have to look a little harder for it.

[3wt]

I've had more luck with RIO than anything else.

If there is a problem with QA, then I have avoided any problems spools. I like RIO's color and tie-ability. If you can make a good knot, you have a better chance of good lubrication and proper knot closure. It is true that if you just cinch it down like mono, your break offs go way up. And I seem to have trouble with surgeons loops with flouro. Could be a flaw in that knot for flouro.

I'd be interested in some real apples to apples comparison on the major factors that affect tippet performance.

How are wind knots a susceptibilty problem? The line has to pass over itself to knot. It if does unless you are lucky, a knot is a done deal regardless of whose product you're using.

And I thought flouro was stable for hundreds of years, so I'm not sure what a born on date will do.

[Zach Bearden]

I use Rio Fluoroflex. I don't have anything bad to say about it either.

Something to think of is what knots you use. If you are using a cinch knot you could be using too many turns. I use some pretty basic knots. An orvis tippet knot which replaces a blood knot. And what I call a Davy knot, also heard it called a figure 8.

[Yakfly]

Vanish fan here too - I use plain clear Vanish in 6lb, 4lb, and 2lb - which equates to about 2x, 4x, and 6x respectively.

The 2lb is hard to find in stores - you can get it on-line from Berkley.

I use Vanish in 6 or 8lb for my leader material and am interested in trying the 2lb stuff for tippett (read saving money) but I have not seen it before. I will have to look a little harder for it.

[Gallagher]

Triple Surgeon's Knot from leader to tippet & Uni-knot to fly. The only roll of this stuff I have & used is 7X,... maybe it's just too small.

[Buzz]

Vanish fan here too - I use plain clear Vanish in 6lb, 4lb, and 2lb - which equates to about 2x, 4x, and 6x respectively.

The 2lb is hard to find in stores - you can get it on-line from Berkley.

I still use Vanish 2 lb. occasionally.It's getting hard to find around here too.

I've pretty much been using P-Line 2 lb. for midges and such, and 4 lb. P-line for streamers. It's a very good line and has great knot strength too.