Tippet / Leader

[peconic]

When does it become neccesarry to use a tippet or when are leaders suitable to tie flies to?

Also, Does any one have a good listing of knots for tying all the small knots?

[pvansch1]

http://www.netknots.com/index.html

http://www.associatedinternet.com/flyfishing101/default.htm

Here are a couple of sites.
As far as tippet and leaders, you almost always need tippet.
Store bought tapered leaders have a few feet of tippet built in, once you feel it thickening as you tie on flies it's time to add some more tippet.
Furled leaders, always need tippet, usually connected by a loop to loop connection.
Pete

[Troutfitter]

I use tippet on my leaders straight from the package. If I am dryfly fishing I will take a 9ft leader and cut it to 8ft. Then I add 2.5ft of tippet. By putting tippet on before using the leader.... I always know where the tippet ends so I know when it is getting short. Also by using this method, the leader doesn't break further up toward the flyline which would leave it ruined.

[peconic]

So obviously i am pretty new to fly fishing and all but it seems to me that there are just a thousand knots!

[peconic]

I am also interested in knowing the best Knots to use for tying
Leader to Tippet (Loop to Loop connection?)

and tippet to fly?

[caddisfly]

The double surgeons knot works best for me. Easy and fast to tie and have not had any issues with it. Here is a link I found to help you out.

http://www.flymartonline.com/article211.html

[The Patriot]

I also always add at least a short tippet to leaders right out of the package. But I don't cut it first. I tie a short piece the same size as the leader and add another section one or maybe two sizes smaller, depending on conditions, location, size of the fly I'm fishing....

That way I keep the full 9ft leader intact, and just add tippet as necessary. Of course eventually I'll begin to cut into the leader itself, but by this seems to give my leaders a longer life....

The only knots I use are double surgeons for tippet to leader; clinch for flies; and loop to loop for attaching my leader to my line.

I don't do blood knots or nail knots.

This is my tenth season, and I have never had the need to learn them....

[peconic]

thanks a bunch Guys!

[pvansch1]

Two things to remember when tying knots;
1. wet the knot with spit or water.
2. Pull it tight slowly, don't jerk it to tighten. The quick movement cause heat and reduces the mono strength tremendously.

[peconic]

Great! My biggest problem is that i am so used of fishing with larger tackle that the knots i usually tie won't work.

[Ray]

Loop to loop is not a great leader to tippet knot. I prefer and use a double surgeons knot, very strong and easy to tie.

[The Patriot]

I agree with Ray.....

[peconic]

Yeah i use the Double Surgeons for leader to the tippet but a loop to loop is okay for the leader to the fly line?

[pvansch1]

Loop to loop is fine for leader to fly line.
Pete

[peconic]

thanks!

Now i just need to learn how to Nymph or wait until summer to use my dry flies!

[Ray]

Summer?? Use your dry flys today!!

[The Patriot]

Ray's right again!

Dries will become highly productive any day now.... Hendricksons, BWO, plan on fishing between say 1pm and dark. Even in the morning you may see some caddis on the water and fish rising after 9 or 10. Once the Hendrickson spinners start to fall, the 6pm to dark window can be great!

After a brief lull, you'll get Pale Evening Duns (Epeorus Vitreous, size 14 to 16) and maybe some March Browns, size 12, late in May. Evening fishing, 5pm to dark.

Then the sulphurs will start early June, followed closely by the first brood of big Isonychia.

BWO from 16 to 28 all year, and caddis.

Summer? Isonychia, Light Cahill, small size 18 to 20 sulphurs, yellow stoneflies, terrestrials, tiny BWO, Needhami, Yellow and Golden Drakes...

I like May and June the best of all, but there is good fishing all summer on the Farmington, and then the fall brings more tiny BWO, Isonychia, Golden Drakes, Tricos, and Caddis.

Welcome aboard!!

Jim

[peconic]

Do the hatches come to the upper TMA before the Lower? I have been fishing the Burlington TMA this week and haven't seen too many rises.

[The Patriot]

Ordinarily, no, the hatches start downstream and progress up. For example, you can fish the Vitreous (Pale Evening Duns) in mid to late May, and follow it upstream until mid to late June, depending on the weather.

But this year, with the low flows and early warm weather, and relatively mild winter, it appears that the early spring hatches, BWO, Quill Gordons, Blue Quills, Hendricksons, and Tan Caddis, may, MAY, begin upstream first, at least by a few days or more.

If you really want to fish dries, and you can handle the crowds, head up to Church Pool. If you can find a spot, you are almost sure to find rising fish. Plan on fishing from 1 or 2 pm right up till almost dark. Try to get there early to get a spot, or else go after 4 or 5, when the crowd has been thinning out (although that won't last long.) Later in the day there will be fewer rises, and the fish may be on some ridiculously tiny subsurface pupa, nymph, or emerger, but there's less people and alot more room.

Tight Lines,

Jim

[peconic]

Well i work in middletown and get out between 3-5 so i won't be fishing the early shift!

[The Patriot]

Hey, I work in Middletown too, I get out at 3pm. I also live in NB, which is right on the way. We should make a point of hooking up some time. Keep it in mind.

Jim

[Richard W. Fleet]

I start w/ a 9' 6X leader to which I add 18 to 24" of 6X tippet using a double surgeons knot. If the need arises to go to 7X just add it to the 6X and if you need to go to 8X again just add it to the 7X. I seems to work ok for me but I have read about building leaders and the need to maintain some sort of ratio as you build down to 7 or 8X - maybe someone can shed some light on this.