Most of my fly fishing is done in saltwater, but a couple of times a year I get to places where I can fish in cold freshwater. For years I have used the loop-to-loop connection for attaching tippet to leader in saltwater, with perfectly satisfactory results, but used a blood knot for the same connection in freshwater. As I get older it gets harder and harder to tie blood knots. Has anyone tried the loop-to-loop connection in freshwater? Does it reduce the number of takes? Does it make any difference whether it’s used in cold or warm water?
I havn’t tried loop to loop for attatching tippet, but a double surgeons knot does the trick and is ( for me ) a lot quicker and easier to tie than a blood knot.
I make and use Furled Leaders for all my fly fishing whether it be warm water or cold and my Furled Leaders have a Shorb Loop built-in both ends and I use a loop-to-loop connection for attaching the Furled Leader to the end of the fly line and a loop-to-loop for attaching the tippet to the tippet end of the Furled Leader and have had no problems. I usually start out with 5 to 6 feet of 6 pound test fluorocarbon for tippet and will use a double surgeons knot to attach around 3 feet of 4 pound test fluorocarbon to the end of the 6 pound test tippet for the smaller flies. My opinion is you should have no problems with using the loop-to-loop system.
I use the loop-to-loop method with no problems. I nail knot my butt section to the fly and make a perfection loop at the end. To that I attach my looped leader.
Bruce
http://fishandflyonly.com/HOME/Hemosat_Blodd_Knot_2.html
This is a very quick and easy knot I use winter fishing in single digits with my bad eyes. With a little practice it ties in under ten seconds. It’s very strong with no more bulk. It will also do a good job of connecting a pretty good size jump in line diameters. It’s just as easy or easier to do just using your fingers. I also use the smallest Spro swivels to tie tippet to when I’m steelheading. . Just a few more options to try.
The loop to loop will work fine, but if you are fishing where there are weeds or algae in the water, the loop to loop connections will get fouled up with gunk more that a double surgeon knot.
I’m with RandyFC. The loop-to-loop works OK, but the Orvis Tippet Knot (Google it) is a much stronger knot, and easier to tie. Especially good for tying FC tippet to nylon leaders.
I use loop to loop, but with the non-slip mono loop knot, which is a near 100% knot when tied correctly. Done this with mono, poly, furled, and twisted leaders. Agree with BigA on the weed and algae thing. Haven’t ever noticed a difference in hook ups.
I usually pre tie my tippets at home. Put a strong loop in the leader connection end. Put a quick overhand loop in the fly end. Loop multiple tippets together and wind on an old tippet spool or other spool. I can make up a lot of tippets while watching a ball game.
I’ve done the loop to loop on the bigger fish, usually stay with the double surgeon’s knot for regular run-of-the mill trout and pan fishing. We have some ponds in this area that have alga and when fishing for brem & bass, using a wet fly, nymph or even a popper, both the loop/loop or DS knot, will pick up the vegetation. Often when fishing these ponds (or even the river using a popper), I’ll simply use a straight mono leader.
I’ve used a loop-2-loop connection both at the fly line / leader end (with a short piece of mono and a perfection loop) as well as at the leader/tippet end and haven’t had any issues. I’ve also done the surgeon’s knot.
One other option I didn’t see anyone mention - I purchased a couple furled leaders one time that came with a tiny tippet ring at the tippet end of the leader. You can order them from various locations. I’ve tried them and I like them also. Tie them into the tippet end of your leader and you have a small ring that you can thread your tippet through and then tie using whatever knot you like. Saves having to cut back on the leader to change tippets. I’ve even seen them used as a connection point for a dropper line.