The Northern California Fly Fishing Board

I thought I’d revisit a subject I brought up way back when I was a newbie in 2002. It really helped me and if there are other contributors to this thread it might help out some others, newbies and experienced fly guys.

Okay, so I have 2 tips.

The first is Tippet Rings. Steve at Dragonfly Sporting Goods in Weaverville turned me on to these. They are seamless, 3mm nickel rings that you tie onto the end of a leader. You then tie the tippet onto the ring.

The rings are so small and light that they can be used with dries; they lay on the surface film, not sinking. I mostly use them subsurface when I’m steelheading. So far, they’ve held under the stress of fish up to 13 pounds.

I’ve read but have not tested that tying flouro onto mono isn’t a good idea, as it’s possible that the fluorocarbon tippet will cut through the monofilament. My buddies haven’t experienced this but then, it probably requires a lot of pressure, like you’d get from the fish of a lifetime. I can also use tippets with diameters that are much thinner than that of my leader.

Anyhow, I buy tapered mono leaders, tie on a tippet ring, and then tie a flouro tippet onto the ring. My leaders last a lot longer as I merely clip off the tippet when it gets short from changing flies and tie on a new length.

Climax rings are the most expensive, at about $.70 each, but they come on a wire ring with the ends folded back and hooked together, kind of like the Greek letter Omega. Tippet rings are so small that it’s MUCH easier to tie your first knot on the ring while it’s still on the wire. Then remove the ring from the wire and tie in the tippet.

A less expensive way is to purchase the Mini Tippet Rings by Niche Products. They can be purchased for $.35 each, but don’t come with a wire. You’ll have to find some to string them onto as these rings are REALLY small. I purchase mine from J. Stockard Fly Fishing at www.jsflyfishing.com and string them onto the wire I originally bought with my Climax rings.

My second tip is known by most fly fishers. When using a dropper tied onto my point fly I have little patience for untying mini-birdsnests. I usually just clip off the dropper at the hook eye and I easily (kind of) untie the knot. It takes about 30 seconds to re-tie my dropper.

Hola Bruce,

I have to agree completely. Those tippet rings are the best damn product
I have used. I swear by them for the reasons your mentioned. Mono leader
to tippet ring, and then flouro off the ring.

What type of knot to you tie TO and FROM the ring? It's a pain in the butt
to get my monkey fingers around that tiny ring, but once you do, I have never
had one fail. However, they should come in a 20 pack because you can count
on losing half of those little suckers just by having them bounce out of your
grip. Don't even bother looking. GONE!

Let's see...my FF Tip. I'd have to say when I'm nymphing, leading the
rod tip slightly ahead of the flies downstream (tight lining). For me, this
made a huge difference in my hook ups. I missed far less fish versus being
right over the top of the flies with my rod tip. Much quicker on the set.
Works like a charm at places like the Pit, or any pocket water for that matter.

Eric aka Anglernut

Hi Eric,

I always use the 16/20 knot, also known as the Pitzen knot. You can google that one.

I understand your problem with lost rings. I could never tie one on without the wire I mentioned. You string 10 or so on that circular ring of wire, segregate the end tippet ring up around the curve of the wire, tie your first knot WHILE IT'S STILL ON THE WIRE, unclasp the ends of the wire, move the tippet ring off the wire and now you have one knot from your leader through the ring. It's easy to tie the tippet through the ring once it's on the leader.

Does that make sense?

AB,

I've been using these since I first saw them on the Feathercraft site several years ago. I tie them with a Uni Knot, first ring on the hoop, then remove it. This saves a bunch of $$$ on leaders and tippet material. No problems since I started using these puppies...

PT/TB

I just received a shipment of Niche 3mm tippet rings. I had been using the 2mm, but I found them just a bit small as they are smaller than the Climax rings.

I'm not sure these 3mm rings will float like I mentioned the Climax rings do. However, these should be great for nymphing and a little easier to tie on.

By the way, PT. I'm not sure about the uni-knot, which looks like a good 'un, but the Pitzen Knot (also called the Eugene Bend) is rated at 100%.

AB

AB,

Simple, I'll try it!!!!

http://vid...ots.com/pitzen-knot.html

PT/TB

One of our local fly club members brought in an article on the 16/20 (Pitzen) knot about 8 years ago, and most of us have been using it as our knot of choice since then. It's held for me on some pretty large salmon and steelhead.

Great knot!

I store mine on a safety pin. And you are correct - tie it on while it is still on the safety pin.

Never thought of that. Thanks.

Got any more favorite fishing tips?

AB

Geez...ANOTHER knot I gotta learn??

I checked it out online. I'll give it a go Bruce along with
tying the knot ON the wire. Good stuff!

Eric

Tippet Ring? Are those really that useful? I have not had many problems withe leaders/tippets.

Tipps? When nymphing set on everything. Think it's a rock? Well, guess what hangs out around rocks... fish! Think it's a stick? Same thing... fish hang out my sticks. Set early and often.

B-

They are merely a tool. You can start the day with a 9 foot leader, tie on a tippet ring, change 20 flies which means you'd have to change your tippet at least 4 times, and at the end of the day, your leader is still 9 feet long.

If your leader was 1X, you'd have been able to put on a 6X tippet for little itsy bitsy 16 inch trout that started to rise just about the time you needed a diversion from your 1,000 casts for non-cooperative steelhead.

I guess what I'd advise is buy some and try 'em!