Mayfly pattern killing my tippet

It seems as though my mayfly patterns are twisting my tippet quite a bit. I assume its because of the wings but not sure how to correct it. Am I making the wings too big and that is what causes it to spin and twist my leader. I’ve never had this problem before tying smaller flies but now in the 12-10 range its causing issues. Any help would be great. Thanks


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You didn’t say what size tippet you’re using. Chances are that it’s too fine. The wind resistance on larger mayflies will furl up a too fine of a tippet in just a few casts.

Allan

To large or stiff of a wing will twist your tippet. You can stop this by going to a larger tippet size. Or smaller and softer wing material. Ron

It is a casting presentation called the ‘Whirlaway’. The fly lands and buzzes and spins due to the twisted tippet. If the tippet is too weak it will not work.

I’ll have to remember that one!

I agree with tyesflies. If your using too small a diameter tippet it will twist up constantly.
Castwell, I wonder if that whirlaway thing would work for caddis imitations…hmmmm.

“Whirlaway Mc Sneak” remember that one JC?? Ron

Sure do, wrote about it a long time ago, Ron…

From one of my favorite books, This Wonderful World of Trout.

Allan

Here’s a different approach:

Thread your fly onto the tippet and let it slide down freely. Now tie a knot in the end of the tippet that is bigger than the diameter of the hook’s eye.

The Knot prevents the fly from coming off the end of the tippet, but the fly still has the freedom to spin around the tippet, which reduces the amount of twist in the leader.