Question About Tippet

Breaking fine tippet -- been there, done that repeatedly, but not any
longer.

Knots, a double surgeon's knot is more than adequate. Do not moisten
FC. Grasp the tippet/leader as well as the tag ends and pull tight
together and quickly -- then pull test.

Use the uniknot to tie to the hook and pull test. Again, do not
moisten and pull the knot tight quickly.

Since going to this, my FC knot failure as dropped to zero. If I
break off a fish, it's because I did something stupid rather than the
knot failing because it was poorly tied. Like last week when I lost a
30+" striper beacuse I mistakenly twirled the drag on my new reel to
full stop when the fish started to run. The highest drag setting on a
Loop HD is beyond ridiculous -- if the 10lb. tippet hadn't broken, the
fish might have pulled the rod out of my hand. Used 15lb. after that
together with a newfound respect for the drag knob.

Lastly, you're fishing trout not bass so don't try and heave the
sucker into the next county. A simple lift of the rod will do.

Peter

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Oh ya, forgot to mention that not all 7X are created equal. I bought
some Orvis Mirage 7X FC mounted on a spool like SA FC. The stuff was
great. I then bought another spool of Mirage only this came on a
standard Orivs spool. The stuff is crap and the spool is crap. If
you're not careful removing it from the spool, the line keeper on the
spool will damage it. The FC was clearly different with the second
batch being very limp and soft -- very difficult to tie a good knot as
well. I'm now on the lookout for some Orvis 7X on the SA style spool
or some SA FC if I can find it in 7X.

The hookup rate on heavily pressured waters will improve with 6X or
7X. The FC is less visible, sinks below the surface so it doesn't
leave that telltale dimpling plus the thin tippet doesn't layout
straight. The bends and squiggles help to produce a better drag free
drift.

I've done this often enough to accept it as fact. On heavily
pressured waters that are relatively slow and smooth flowing, toss a
4X or 5X tippet and fly at a rising fish. If no hits, tie on 18" of
7X, the same fly and then take the fish on the first cast to cover it.
7X is not necessary everywhere but in some places, it's the only way
to stay in the game.

Peter

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