There is something about how a smoothly tapered commercial leader turns over a fly that cannot be mimicked with a home-brewed leader. A 9' leader will typically have 24" of tippet at its end. To extend the life of the leader, additional tippet material is generally added to the leader's end; the amount varies depending on the fishing circumstances. In the past, I have always joined the tippet material to the leader using a Bloodknot ( or a Surgeon's knot if the two line diameters are different ). Eventually the added tippet material will be consumed by changing flies, and I have to re-extend the leader with more tippet. After several re-extensions, I will have eaten through the original 24" of tippet and begin entering the tapered section of the leader. This is bad for two reasons: 1) Joining lines of different diameter yields inherently weaker knots (at least for Surgeon's and Blood knots). 2) The leader will be shorter and less tapered causing poor loop turnover. Eventually, it will have to be replaced.
An alternative approach is described in "Lefty Kreh's Ultimate Guide to Fly Fishing: Everything Anglers Need to Know by the World's Foremost Fly-Fishing Expert". In this book, Lefty suggests joining the leader and tippet using a square knot formed by two non slip mono loops (Kreh knots), one in the leader and one in the tippet. Using this approach, tippet material can be added (or removed) from the leader without shortening it. In addition to extending the life of the leader this has several advantages: 1) The non slip mono loop is an incredibly strong knot, testing at nearly 100% line strength. 2) It is much easier to swap out tippets for a particular fly or fishing situation. 3) Non slip mono loops can be pre-tied on tippet spools which allows tippet to be rapidly attached in the field with no additional knot tying. The only downside I have thought of with this approach is if there is heavy vegetation the loop to loop connection may be more prone to snag or collect plant material; however, my initial tests of fishing with this connection on water with vegetation suggests this is not a problem.
Brian,
ReplyDeleteWe all learn as we fish. This is what I settled on. My fly line always is one with a welded loop (RIO in my case) and my leader begins as a std. tapered leader but I alter it almost immediately. A leader from the package sinks poorly due to the taper. Very unscientifically I cut it back and add sections of decreasing diameter tippet sections, ending at .015 usually, with the sections above (3-5) tied using a double surgeon's knot, these also help hold my indicator. At the leader's end, about 7-9', I tie a loop made with a double surgeon's knot anoyt 1/2" long. This is where I attach my tippet, also made with a double or, if 3X or smaller (rare, 1X-2X usually) a triple surgeon's loop with a length of your desire. When I need to add a tippet it takes seconds to make and you don't cut up your leader. The leader is off stiff material, Maxima mostly, and I use that for my tippet also. Very abrasion resistent compared to all the new stuff. I dislike floro as I find knot strength dismal. I know, most do not, I do. It is strong if the knots are tied and seated properly.
Best, Gregg
Gregg, that is an interesting setup. I assume mostly geared towards indicator fishing due to your desire to enhance the sink rate. I could also see the extra knots being helpful in keeping your indicator from slipping too far from its original placement. I also have an aversion to using fluorocarbon, except when fishing shallow clear waters. I use 4x as my default tippet size, but I have yet to fight a fish larger than 6lb on this setup, but if I had to, I would probably be in deep.
ReplyDeleteHi Brian,
ReplyDeleteYes, I desire a fast sink rate. I know from experience what to cut back or add to the leader if it does not cast well. 4X-oh my gosh, you'd be holding a limp line soon most places I fish, plus my flies demand heavier tippet. I did land my very first carp, an 8lb. (guess) fish on a # 18 brassie and 6X to midging carp encountered when trouting, but I was a lucky guy. Now if I find them midging I force feed them 3X. We have landed one for sure 30 lb. fish, and many in the high teens, low 20 range. You will also, you live in real carp country, plus ypu have huge wild grass carp.
Gregg
Brian,
ReplyDeleteMaybe I'd better explain myself better. I do fish where there are large fish. Often it is in enclosed places where the fish have almost instant access to cattails, bullrushes, brush overhanging and such. They must be stopped before they enter the vegetation. I am surprised my rods have held up sometimes as the pressure I put on them with a big carp and heavy tippet seems tremendous. Truly, it demands a heavy tippet then. Iy you are landing your fish with 4X bully for you. Interesting topic, tippet size, I tend to go very heavy, even in clear water. Also, as an after thought, I really set the hook hard as the flies I have are often heavy wire and large, I mean hard and repeatedly.
Gregg