I have been tying a loop where my leader starts to taper down,roughly three quarters down the leader and then adding tippet material hence forth,depending on what fly I choose as I change my flies very often,does this method seem unconventional?
Thanks
removing a tapered leader form the package and adding on 2-3 feet of tippet is perfectly acceptable as is using the package leader without adding any tippet.
not sure about the 3/4 of the way down statement.
are you cutting off the last 1/4 of the leader just to add more tippet?? that would be unconventional!
As long as the fly turns over you’re okay. I’ve been told that loop-to-loop connections, especially if the loops are big, are where some casting power is lost.
Randy
I used to tie loops at the end of my leader to attach tippet via a ltl connection using perfection loops but got away from it. I recently found some video on using a hemostat to tie a quick blood-knot (search google for ‘hemostat blood knot’) which takes about 30 seconds to do. I’ve noticed my fly appears to turn over better with this arrangement than with loops and it’s just as quick to tie.
Another option is to get yourself a tie-fast knot tyer and watch the video on youtube - lots of uses and easy to use.
No doubt the old curmudgeon teacher influence of my fly fishing beginings, plus the discovering of what fits, what works, techniques pretty well have established how I do things (not to mention that breaking old habits is hard to do!) ~ anyway …
I use a loop to loop connection from the fly line to the leader, which makes changing leaders very simple. But the tippet I tie on with the old standby double surgeons knot. What is important here is what has proved best out in the field, while standing in waders in the middle of a stream. And I don’t use “store bought” tapered leaders all the time either, in fact, only use them for dry flies. Right now were catching the fool out of big bream and mostly on nymphs. Here I use a level length of 20lb mono and then tie on 6lb tippet. I cast this set-up right where and how I want it. When we take a break for lunch and come back for the late afternoon fishing I change out the leader.
Dale
Tri-co,
If I’m going to be changing flies often, I do as you do.
I tie a loop, then use a palomar knot to affix the tippet to the loop (stronger than any loop knot).
I find this an advantage when I’m fishing dries, as I find myself changing flies often. It’s fast, strong, and lets me change to suit changing conditions.
Buddy
If I purchase a 4x leader and attach it to my fly line and then see that midges are what I choose to fish with,it allows me to use 7x tippet material with a loop three quarters down my leader.Unconventually,sometimes I use more tippet material than most…I make it up as I go along most days.
I use a double surgeons knot to attach new tippet. I use a loop to loop for leader to line connection.
Lets say I start with a new 9ft, 5x leader. As my casting is fairly good (no knots) I can tie the flie right to the end of the tapered leader; nine feet from the fly line, When (if/ as) the tippet gets shorter I can tie on a new section of exactly what was there and start over. If it’s big fish I will chose Frog Hair, if smaller fish, fluorocarbon.
I use a 7.5 foot leader 4x, tye on an additional foot or foot and half of either 5x or 6x using a blood knot, I tye the leader on to the line with a home made tye kinda like a surgen knot, cause when the leader gets tite it bites into the end of the fly line so it works and is easy for me. My goal is always to just add tippet to the leader as I change flies and use it up, but trees, snags, and fish that break off have other ideas…
Getting at what Norm and JC said…I do it just a little different than JC…let’s say I want a 9ft leader in 4x…I will buy a 7 1/2 ft 3x and add a 4x tippet…usually with a double surgeons…
When I get close to the knot I then know exactly what the diameter is at that point… otherwise I can’t remember after changing multiple rods, reels, lines or a period of time.
I start with a 9’ leader and rettie flies until I am at about 7 1/2’ then double surgeons to add tippet. If I redo this 3 to 4 times, it is time for a whole new leader. Leaders don’t last forever, they are cheap in the overall scheme of things.
Rick
Hello all: as a new guy here i’d like permission to respond to the question of “unconventional”.
Tri-co Dependant asks his query and you all have answered, appropriately. I think, here’s where i get in trouble, that you ALL are conventional! Here’s how i do it and i know this is UNconventional but…works for me for many years.
I use braided leaders…different lengths for different conditions.
My set-up is thus: Off the wt forwrd line i tie in a 6-8" piece of .010 stiff mono and add a small perfection loop to which i add my braided leader (approx 6’) by way of another perfection loop (loop-loop connection). At the end of the braided leader I tie in my tippet by way of improved clinch knot. The tippet can be anywhere from 18"- 6’.
Try it, THEN respond.
Tite line and SMALL loops,
Trouthunter
Fall River Vly, CA.
I use a furled leader and set it up exactly as several of you have described. I nail knot a piece of mono to my fly line, and tie a loop in the end. I then loop to loop my furled leader to the mono, and then loop to loop the tippet to the furled leader. If you want to take a look at the knots involved, there are some diagrams you can look at here -
http://www.freewebs.com/fountainheadflyfish/howto.htm
BTW, using this setup allows you to use the same leader for at least a year or two of hard fishing.
I, also, make and use furled leaders. My furled leaders will be either 6’8" long to 7’ long and have a shorb loop in both ends. I use a Castwell knot to attach the butt loop on my furled leader to my fly line and use an Improved loop on the end of my tippett to attach to the Shorb loop on the tippett end of my furled leader. My tippett will be anywhere from 5’ long to 7’ long. Furled leaders are the only way to go which is my opinion only. they are easy to make and will last many seasons.
That is my unconventional way…
Tri-co-dependent…
Do u attend triple A meetings?
Anyway, I started using those clever little tippet rings made by Climax several years ago. They are found - now - on most furled leaders (which I also use on occasion). I usually attach the ring with a Uni knot to my leader (length of choice) then add the desired length of tippet material - mostly 3’-4’. My leader lasts a lot longer- thereby, reducing my expenses.
Sometimes I will add a short, stiffer section to the ring above my lead fly and use it as a dropper. Those dropper beads from Gamakatsu work well too!!!
There are many options. I go with what works in the moment…
Tri-co-dependent…
Do u attend triple A meetings?
Anyway, I started using those clever little tippet rings made by Climax several years ago. They are found - now - on most furled leaders (which I also use on occasion). I usually attach the ring with a Uni knot to my leader (length of choice) then add the desired length of tippet material - mostly 3’-4’. My leader lasts a lot longer- thereby, reducing my expenses.
Sometimes I will add a short, stiffer section to the ring above my lead fly and use it as a dropper. Those dropper beads from Gamakatsu work well too!!!
There are many options. I go with what works in the moment…
PT/TB
Any leader discussion on FAOL invariably turns to furled leaders - it’s a variation of Godwin’s rule.
Anyway, I tie my own.
When I get down to the 1X segment, I’ll put a loop in it. From there I’ll loop on some 2X and then tie on on some 3X and then a 4X or 5X tippet. If I need to go to a 6X tippet, I’ll use 4X rather than 3X for the last non-terminal section.
I’m good with blood knots down to 4X. Anything smaller I’m using the Orvis tippet knot - which is much, much stronger than a double surgeon’s.
That’s what I do too.
I purchase 7-1/2’ 3X leaders, to which I add about 18" of 4x tied with a blood knot. That’s my basic leader. When the 4X gets down to 10" or so, I’ll cut it off and replace it. If I need to fish finer than 4X, I’ll cut it back to a foot or so, and add sections in front of it to get as fine as I need to go, all with blood knots. I find no need for “nymph leaders” or “dry fly” leaders, I simply alter what I have to suit. This system has served me well since the sixties, and I see no need to change. The leader is attached to the line with a Zap-a-Gap connection, a fairly recent development, which also works very well.
I’m sure to catch some flak over this, but I consider loops and tippet rings to be abominations. :eek:
Just $0.02 worth from a crusty old New Englander.