light tippet

By "light tippet" I mean anything from 5x to smaller.

Sometimes I feel I have to use light tippet to have a good chance of
catching fish. Examples are very clear water, educated fish, and
slack-line dry-fly presentations in complex braided currents. I also
believe that finer tippet gives better dead-drift presentations when
nymphing.

When I use light tippet (only when I think it's necessary) I consider
these things:

(1) Play the fish with as much pressure as though I were using heavier
tippet. You can break a typical 5-weight rod with 5x tippet, and
probably with 6x and maybe even with 7x. There is no need to stress the
fish unnecessarily with a long fight just because you're using light tippet.

(2) Use as much pressure as necessary and prudent to keep the fish away
from the bottom and way from snags.

(3) Set the drag very light, and play the fish with hand control or by
palming after the fish is on the reel.

(4) It's critical to play the fish correctly, with a good bend in the
rod. Don't drop the rod tip. Avoid shocks (sharp peaks in line tension).
I well-bent rod is a shock absorber.

(5) Landing the fish is the most perilous stage, especially if I don't
have a net.

(6) Be really, really careful tying the knots. Replace or at least
inspect and test the tippet after catching a fish. Their teeth and gill
plates can cause damage. I believe this and knot failure are the main
causes of losing fish on light tippet, even when I play the fish correctly.

I'll lose more flies with light tippet, but it's usually because I get
snagged on something or I make a mistake in playing or landing the fish.

If you think some fish aren't leader-shy and you shell out big bucks for
fluorocarbon tippet, you might consider rethinking your position.

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