57 replies to this topic

[ChasinTails]

Here we go.  I had this bookmarked

 

Tippet Size
    
Tippet Diameter
    
Approximate breaking strength in Super Strong nylon (pounds)
    
Balances with fly sizes:

8X    .003"     1.75     22, 24, 26, 28
7X     .004"     2.5     18, 20, 22, 24
6X    .005"     3.5     16, 18, 20, 22
5X     .006"     4.75     14, 16, 18
4X     .007"     6     12, 14, 16
3X     .008"     8.5     6, 8, 10
2X     .009"     11.5     4, 6, 8
1X     .010"     13.5     2, 4, 6
0X     .011"     15.5     1/0, 2, 4
.012     .012"     18.5     5/0, 4/0,3/0, 2/0
.013     .013"     20     5/0, 4/0,3/0, 2/0
.015     .015"     25     5/0, 4/0,3/0, 2/0

so a 6x is about 4lbs, how about the fly line itself ?

[WasagaWader]

so a 6x is about 4lbs, how about the fly line itself ?

That I do not know.

[FrequentFlyer]

i normally use a 6.6lb leader/tippet for trout...for salmon i'll go heavier

[NiagaraSteel]

so a 6x is about 4lbs, how about the fly line itself ?

Doesn't matter. Leader will always break before the fly line.

[ChasinTails]

That I do not know.

ah well guess i gotta go to the garage with some line and a weight scale lol 

[ChasinTails]

Doesn't matter. Leader will always break before the fly line.

yup i realised that i just wanted to know 

[RobH]

Holy crap... Now I'm confused.  This fly fishing stuff is tough.

[guest]

fly line isn't gonna break ever---if all goes well you will break off the tippet ..only

[WasagaWader]

Holy crap... Now I'm confused.  This fly fishing stuff is tough.

Now that right there is funny!

[coldfeet]

My brain hurts from all this edumacatin'...big flies big line small flies small line don't wanna chuck 24's with an 8wt line or big streamers with a 3wt ... anyone else want to wade in here? just do it, it's fishing you learn as you go

[guest]

i was firing out small nymphs on the 8wt last night on a 1x (i don't wanna los this carp) leader with a 2x tippet--so not entirely accurate but for the most part

[WasagaWader]

Best Analogy I was given is it is like Golf.  It does not matter how ugly the swing looks as long as it lands it the short green stuff it is all good.

[alwayscatching]

I am not a fly guy but I hear it is the way to go to catch some bass. Fun way. I would say best bite for bass is on a jig.

[guest]

try it on a fly rod---bro its like a "jig" with your bare hands--a real rus stripping it in after you get that take

[swiftcurrent]

Just my opinion. In a single hand flyrod, my goto rod for primarily Steelhead and the incidental atlantic a quality 7wt 10' rod. If you own a 6wt already then maybe get an 8wt, it'll hold up to a Chinook alot better and has some croos over to bass, pike and muskie too. A heavier grain rod really holds its own when you want to cast heavier fkies or your dealing with stonger winds.

[swiftcurrent]

Oops, apologies on the typo's!

[swiftcurrent]

Regarding tippets. When I dead drift for steelhead, unless the water is gin clear, I usually use 3x or even 2x fluro. You get less break offs and can land the fish way more quickly. It stress' the fish a lot less, if you plan on releasing them. If I swing for fish, I use 0x. It dose not effect the fly action and the fish hit much harder so you avoid break offs.

As for rods, if you looking at a TFO, look at an Echo. You can get them at Wilsons and SAIL. A better bet would be to buy a used rod. They always come up for sale on line (ie:Craigs...).

[Jacklake]

ive always been curious, what breaking strain is say 6wt line, is it compareable to 6lb mono or 4lb mono ?

The core of a fly line is usually braided Dacron (or similar), so the breaking strength can be easily over 20lb. It is not the steady strain on a leader/tippet that breaks it, it is the sudden strain. At our club we bent a 6wt rod double, but the pressure on the tippet/scale connection was only 2lb. The rod absorbed all the other leverage as it bent. It is the steady fight against 2lb (or 4lb, etc.) that tires fish. So if you can avoid those sudden tugs (harder to do with salmon and steelhead) then you are OK with lighter tippets.

 

Regarding the 9ft 6X leaders mentioned by Catfish - what happens after a few flies lost or changed? You have to add more tippet, and are rather obliged to use 6x. I would rather buy 3X leaders and add 4, 5, or 6x to the end so that I have more options and the leader lasts longer ... and can be a longer and finer leader when needed for tricky water or trout.