Dropper Rig Question

[TroutRinger]

Do you use the same strength tippet for your dropper fly as you do for the first fly? I have been using a 1X lighter tippet on the bottom fly but have had a lot of problems with break offs.

What I think is happening with the lighter line on the bottom is this:

- A lot of the strength with mono comes from its ability to stretch and distribute weight/force along the length of the line. By having the lighter tippet on the bottom and only 12-18 inches of it, I significantly diminish its ability to stretch without breaking since there is only 12-18 inches of line to distribute the weight. And the heavier line on the first fly isn't going to stretch with the lighter line to take off some of the burden off the bottom line.

By using tippets of the same strength, if I have a fish on the bottom fly it will enable stretching (weight distribution) along both lengths of tippet. Makes sense right?

While we are talking about Tippets, does anyone have any arguments against using 6x or even 5x? It was sunny and clear as can be yesterday (and the water was off), and I caught dozens of fish on 6x. There is a significant difference in strength between 6x and 7x beyond the extra 1 lb IMHO. Can't remember hardly ever losing a fish on 6x.

[Jack Jones]

I tend to use the same size tippet and dropper line simply because it is easier to carry one reel of tippet with me. When at Taneycomo, I am usually using 6x tippet. I tied directly to the hook of the first fly about 12-18" out and haven't had a problem with breakage in the line itself. Usually if I have a breakage problem, it's at the knot connection, or occasionally at the fly. I'm looking at switching from improved clinch to Orvis knot to fix that. Given the pull of some of these trout I've been considering 5x. Since the dropper is what gets hit most often, I don't see why it would be a problem to go one higher.

[barredrock]

I have found and heard others say, if u are fishing outlet water, line size is not critically important. Get away from the outlet and its a different story.

[Justin Spencer]

I always fish one smaller on the dropper in hopes that if it catches on the bottom it will break off and I will still have my top fly instead of losing everything. Don't really know if it works but seems to make sense. I am usually no smaller than 5X so fish break offs aren't a problem.

[TroutRinger]

I always fish one smaller on the dropper in hopes that if it catches on the bottom it will break off and I will still have my top fly instead of losing everything. Don't really know if it works but seems to make sense. I am usually no smaller than 5X so fish break offs aren't a problem.

That's why I did it as well, and so far it has worked out. I just think the line is weakened so much by not giving it any room to stretch. I guess it's one of those "there's no right answer for every situation" situations.

[MThammer]

Your theory has merit, the stretch factor. Will a short piece of 6x break before a long piece? That would be easy enought to test. Tie up a few and give it a tug.

Mark T.

[laker67]

Recently I fished just upstream from a gentleman using a three way dropper rig, or trotline, as we call it in the ozarks. I was catching fish the old fashioned way with one fly. He was mostly snagging fish almost every drift. Occasionally he would have a fish fair hooked, but it was a rare event. Do the rest of you have to put up with these inconviences when fishing the multi dropper rig? I have always contended that the dropper rig was taylor made for snagging fish. That gentleman proved me right.

[barredrock]

I use one attractor fly with one dropper fly. I have an occasional foul hook. But for the most part, they are caught in the mouth.

[Ham]

I will often go with 1 X lighter on the dropper, but I am leaning towards single fly only for two reasons 1) huge tangle fubars (due to poor casting technique Im sure) that require me to spend a lot of time re-rigging and 2) the fish seem to almost always take the smaller fly. This could be the result of small sample error or self fulfilling delsuions.

I have not seen where a multi-fly rig is an effective snagging tool . I will ocassionally hook one onside the mouth, but this is mainly because I set the hook after the trout was spit the fly. I'm not hooking them in the back etc

I try NOT to use tippet less than 5X. The bass fisherman in me is too strong. 6X tippet = constant breakoffs and 7X = constant breakoffs on the hookset.

I all honesty I prefer 4X to 5X when I can use it.

[Jack Jones]

My experience with the multi rig has been many foul hook-ups. It's essentially gigging for trout in my opinion. Throw enough hooks into those masses at Taneycomo and you're bound to pull something out.