tippet ring?

What is the thoughts of tippet rings on the end of the line amongst those in the Tenkara community?

I have one on the end of a tenkara line tenkarabum made for me. I like it. The tiny amount of weight it adds to the line is more than offset by the convenience it adds.

I incorporate a tip ring in all the furled leaders I make for my conventional fly rods and for the furled line / leaders I make for my Tenkara rods.

I tried tip rings with conventional mono leaders before I started making my own and really didn't like them in that application. So I wouldn't be inclined to use them if I were going to use a level line rather than a furled line / leader for the Tenkara rods.

John

I was curious how it is percieved, as I'm sure it isn't considered traditional. I do like the convienence of them on my western set up so I'm just curious of the perception.

Brandon

I add it to all my lines - level or furled/traditional. I would argue that its actually light enough not to break water surface tension by itself. you can attach it easily to a level or tippet with a simpe figure eight knot. Never had a connection fail on the tippet ring so far.

I wouldn't be overly concerned with what is considered traditional. Throughout the history of tenkara, there have been advancements in the equipment used. If everyone on down the line had rigidly held to what was at the time traditional, we would all be fishing with bamboo rods and horsehair lines (not to say there's anything wrong with either one!). I see no reason whatsoever why the next advancement, whatever it is, could not come from the US rather than from Japan.

Thanks Chris! I'm hoping to try out Tenkara in coming days, but will be making my own furled line. Wouldn't want to do something taboo. I'm so excited about trying this, I am like a little boy at Christmas standing in front of the tree with all the presents having to wait for mom and dad.

Brandon

Advantage to the ring for me is several things. When cutting the tippet off the leader, be it to add fresh, or to add a different weight, there is no chance of clipping the leader. I tried the loop to loop, but it hinged for me. Plus I use fluoro for tippet and it has cut my thread leaders.
As for the Tenkara, I do attach a ring to some, but only by request. I make Tenkara lines for several people and some do mot want the ring. They say it makes it harder to attach the line to the rod.

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Originally Posted by Golden

I am not criticizing anyone for using tippet rings if that is what you want to do but, would someone please explain to me what the advantages are of using a tip ring?

It makes attaching tippet to the end of the leader quicker and simpler. Just use a clinch knot. That is easier than tying a loop in the end of the tippet for a loop to loop connection and then making the loop to loop connection. Also, no hassle removing tippet from the leader. Clip the clinch knot and stow the tippet. Easier and quicker to change tippet sizes.

I can see how using a ring might be an advantage if you are fishing with a dropper and the ring helps hold the dropper leader out and away from the rest of the leader rigging.

I haven't tried that, and I don't think it would work. In that situation, the ring would be one more thing to complicate things and make a mess.

I use the Loop-to-Loop method myself, which is pretty easy to deal with and takes no more knot tying than using a tip ring set up would.

See above. For me, a clinch knot to the tip ring is much easier and quicker than tying any form of loop knot and then doing a loop to loop connection.

The ring just seems like an extra piece of gear to solve a problem that doesn't really exist to me.

The ring is part of a process for some of us, not a part of solving a problem that doesn't exist.

And, I bet there are lots of times fish will hit the ring instead of your fly.

Been fishing furled thread leaders with tip rings for seven plus years on conventional fly angling gear and two years on Tenkara line / leaders and have NEVER seen or felt a fish go for the tip ring. ( I fish thread furled leaders with tip rings somewhere between 75 and 100 days per year, so that is NOT a limited sample. :shock: )

Fish do the same thing with knots, which is an indication that the fish are feeding on midge pupa. Are there black colored rings also for sale? And are the black rings more or less effective in keeping the fish striking the ring than bright shiny ones are?

I've used both regular bright shiny silvery / chromy rings and darkened ones. Since I've NEVER seen or felt a fish hit a tip ring, I can only say that neither one is more likely to appeal to a fishy.

If anyone has any thoughts on these questions, I would sure appreciate hearing what you have to say.

You have.

Thank you in advance....

You're welcome.

Golden.

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If you have any further questions about my experience with tip rings, fire away.

John

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Originally Posted by JohnScott

If you have any further questions about my experience with tip rings, fire away.

John

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WoW...that is all I can say

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Originally Posted by Fly Goddess

WoW...that is all I can say

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... that I still had the furled thread leader with tip ring that you gave to me at Jimmy's several years ago on my 3 wt.

I was fishing it today and caught this guy, among others.

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...009_edited.jpg

I really do like that leader, Uni 6/0 as I recall ??

John

Again ...wow:D

I have caught over 100 carp this year. Big fat ones and I too have been using the same leader. It is nice. I will probably use it the rest of the year.

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Originally Posted by Golden

... If anyone has any thoughts on these questions, I would sure appreciate hearing what you have to say. Thank you in advance....Golden.

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It just occurred to me that you might be using still water fishing as your frame of reference ??

My frame of reference is moving water, and, for the most part, freestone streams and rivers.

John

I do both...is there a difference? I mean, I use the same gear for both.

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Originally Posted by Fly Goddess

I do both...is there a difference? I mean, I use the same gear for both.

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Joni -

Using the tip ring to drop a fly between the very end of the tippet and the fly line and having midges hit a knot or a tip ring just struck me as things that would more likely happen in still water than on a freestone stream or river. And Golden did do a report on the Tenkara Forum about hiking into and fishing a mountain lake. In that situation ( a mountain lake full of brookies ), the color of a tip ring might make some difference.

It's probably worth while distinguishing between the two, even if you do use the same gear for both, for the benefit of those who do primarily or only one or the other ??

John

Understand. I just wonder what differences there might be. I use black rings now, but never had an issue with the chrome. The eye of my hooks don't seem to scare of anything, the ring is about the same size, plus partially covered with thread.

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Originally Posted by Fly Goddess

As for the Tenkara, I do attach a ring to some, but only by request. I make Tenkara lines for several people and some do mot want the ring. They say it makes it harder to attach the line to the rod.

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I have never heard of using a tippet ring other than at the tippet end of the line. It should thus have no impact on attaching the line to the rod.

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Originally Posted by CM_Stewart

I have never heard of using a tippet ring other than at the tippet end of the line. It should thus have no impact on attaching the line to the rod.

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Something about threading it on the Tenkara tip. The ring is at the tippet end however. I did not see how these people attach their lines, so not sure what they are talking about. They just requested a shorb loop at both ends.

I like tippet rings because they offer fewer opportunities than loop-to-loop-connections for tippets to get caught on or tangled with.

I like tippet rings because when I am attaching a new tippet I do not need to tie a new knot in (and thus shorten) whatever material the tippet was attached to (level line or shorter section of Amnesia, typically).

Tippet rings come in a variety of size and can be purchased postage free from Streamside Leaders. I prefer the smaller ones for attaching two sections of leader-like material.

As for a fish biting on a tippet ring, if it bites it, so what? A lighthearted take on that is that if a fish prefers the ring to my fly, then perhaps it is time for me to change flies.

10 for $5 at http://www.tenkarabum.com/tippet-rings.html

Support The Sponsors J Stockard, 20 for $8.45 or 100 for $33.95

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Originally Posted by Golden

I believe I will stay with the Loop-to-Loop system for the present and on into the future.

That's great, if that is your preference, that is exactly what you should do.

I do not have the problems with it many of you seem to have.

I fail to see where many of us have problems with the loop to loop system - we just have a different preference, for something we find easier and quicker than the loop to loop you happen to like.

The loop on the line side eliminates any need to cut the leader or shorten the line to add more tippet material for me.

Not clear on what you are describing here - on my furled leaders there is a loop on the line side ( the butt of the leader ) and when dealing with tippet I have a tip ring on the tip end which makes it easier to change tippet material.

Cutting the tippet loop is quick and easier than trying to separate the loops with very fine and limp leader and tippet materials.

With a tip ring there are no "very fine and limp leader ... materials" to deal with or separate - there is a nice solid little ring to work with.

Tying a Surgeon's Loop is just about as easy as tying a Clinch Knot is for me.

I certainly agree tying a surgeon's loop is just about as easy, and not qute as easy. And after you tie the surgeon's loop then you still have to make the loop to loop connection. When I am through with the clinch knot to my tip ring, I am through.

Of course I am only fishing a single fly on the end of my lines.

For the most part, I too am only fishing a single fly. Not sure what this has to do with developing a preference for a way to do something that is simpler and quicker than the alternative.

I can see how if you fish multiple flies, split shot and indicators the Loop-to-Loop connection might be a much bigger problem.

A much bigger problem than what, and why ???

But for anyone who is interested in a source for Tippet Rings (Someone over on Tenkara Talk was looking for a source for buying them), here is a link to a source: http://www.feather-craft.com/wecs.ph...iew&target=210

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Not trying to be argumentative, and I trust that you will not take my response to be argumentative.

Just want to be clear that I don't consider the loop to loop system to be a problem, and I doubt that many others do, either. But I do have a different preference than you do, and I have a lot of good reasons for doing it the way I do - with tip rings.

John

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Originally Posted by Jack Hise

Support The Sponsors J Stockard, 20 for $8.45 or 100 for $33.95

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I was going to mention Stockard as having the best price I've seen. Thanks for the details, Jack.

John

P.S. On the other hand, I am inclined to support Tenkarabum who has contributed so much to the FAOL Bulletin Board over the past couple years. Thanks for the heads up, Chris.

Golden -

I forgot to mention above - it is easier for me to incorporate a tip ring in the process of making a furled leader than it is to finish a leader with a shorb loop on the tip end after the leader is furled.

One more good reason for me to use tip rings.

John

Correct me if I'm wrong, which wouldn't be the first time or last either for that matter, but isn't Tenkarabum a sponsor to the site as well. I love his site and full of so much information.

Cheers,

Brandon

Of course you are absolutely correct, Brandon. Chris Stewart (Tenkara Bum) certainly is a sponsor of this site, and I concur with you about the excellence of his site. His products, service, and standard $3 shipping cost are admirable as well.