Tippet selection

[steven crannell]

I’m fairly new at this game so bear with me… tippet is what you add to your leader when it gets a wee bit too short.

There, that’s my take.

I’d like some input/advice on choosing & using tippet size according to fly size/application.

[anonymous]

Steve,

I keep it very simple.  95% of the time I use RIO 5X flouro.  If I’m fishing extremely low clear water I may drop to 6 or 7X, but my experience is that as long as I get a good drift I don’t need super small tippet.  If I’m on a stream with “less intelligent” fish, I don’t even think I need flouro.  I usually don’t adjust for fly size.  I just try not to use anything below 5X unless I feel its necessary.  If I’m fishing high or stained water I won’t hesitate to use 3 or 4X.  I prefer flouro, but you will still catch plenty of fish with mono if you get a good drift.

To sum it up for me: 5X almost all the time, 6 or 7 in low super clear water, 3 or 4 in high dirty water.  

[Morsie]

Steve there’s some pretty interesting stuff here and you’ll find exactly what you want to know.

http://www.flyfisherman.com/skills/jbleaders/

Morsie

[Colin M.]

When you are fishing dry flies sizes 20 to say 14 5x is good, bigger 4x…If you are fishing small nymphs i go based on water clarity, 5x if the water is crystal, 4x if its murky…. For fishing big hoppers or stonefly nymphs i fish with 2 and 3 x…. streamers are generally 2 to 0x …. occasionally 3x if im fishing small streamers (rarely)…..

If you are anticipating hard strikes or big fish, increase your tippet.

[dan h.]

There’s a rule of thumb to divide the fly size by 3 and then round in the direction you want.

[keith b]

I agree with Dan. I try to go with the divide by 3 rule.

[Author]

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