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Post by flynnboy on May 21, 2007 17:12:04 GMT
Forgive me for posting this question as I have posted it also on another forum, but I really need to sort this out, pathetic as it is  I keep on coming up against confusion with 'Leader' and 'Tippet', just when I think I have got it. Sometimes I see postings which are confusing the two, as I understand it. I use 'Leaders' i.e. a section of line, usually tapered, attached to the end of the fly line and to that I attach a length of nylon to which I attach the fly, which I believe is the 'Tippet'? Can someone please give me a definitive answer to the distinction between the two ? Is there always a 'Leader' attached to the fly line before attaching the length of nylon that holds the fly, or can you attach the nylon that holds the fly directly to the end of the fly line ? Sheesh, will ever get this ? |
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Post by macd on May 21, 2007 18:15:05 GMT
no i think you are right. the tippet is the nylon bit attached to the fly. it is a matter of choice if you connect the tippet directly to the fly line or use some kind of leader- polys for example or the tapered fluoro CLaG and CD have been describing.
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elwyman
Member
A nice autumn day on the Conwy
Posts: 1,035
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Post by elwyman on May 21, 2007 19:15:01 GMT
I use 'Leaders' i.e. a section of line, usually tapered, attached to the end of the fly line and to that I attach a length of nylon to which I attach the fly, which I believe is the 'Tippet'? You've got it in one! Some people call the whole leader the tippet, because they use a single length of level nylon, which probably causes the confusion. |
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Post by flynnboy on May 21, 2007 19:18:32 GMT
Thanks macd,
Just to confirm then, there is no absolute rule about this, if I choose to, there is no 'fault' in attaching my 'tippet' direct to the fly line rather than via a 'leader' from the fly line ? And, the 'tippet' is the section of ordinary nylon to which the fly is attached - correct ? What is the 'norm' ?
It is important for me to get this right so that I can at the very least enter into meaningful dialogue about these things.
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Post by flynnboy on May 21, 2007 19:20:35 GMT
thanks also elwyman
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salmondan
Member
Fishy fishy, elusive fishy
Posts: 289
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Post by salmondan on May 21, 2007 19:31:25 GMT
Just to confirm then, there is no absolute rule about this, if I choose to, there is no 'fault' in attaching my 'tippet' direct to the fly line rather than via a 'leader' from the fly line ? And, the 'tippet' is the section of ordinary nylon to which the fly is attached - correct ? What is the 'norm' ? Good question, what is the norm? I usually attach a length (5' to 10', ie starts at 10', finishes at 5' after too many flee changes) of nylon direct from line to flee. |
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Post by colliedog on May 21, 2007 23:06:52 GMT
Flynnboy,
It is definitely confusing and sometimes ambiguous.
IMO a leader is any length of line (nylon, copolymer or fluorocarbon) attached to the fly line or a polyleader. You can attach your fly straight to the leader.
A tippet is normally a separate length (usually 2-3') on line that is attached to a leader or a polyleader either by a knot or as I prefer, using a 2mm silver or stainless steel ring.
The main reasons for using a tippet are - to allow for frequent fly changes without shortening the main leader and/or to improve turnover and presentation of the fly (the tippet is usually lighter than the leader.
Sometimes the term tippet is used to describe the breaking strain or diameter of the end of a tapered leader, without any additional line being attached.
If you stick to the term leader then most people know what you mean.
CD
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Post by flynnboy on May 22, 2007 19:34:27 GMT
I have just one question unanswered.
Can my 'cast' (length of nylon with fly attached) be attached directly to the end of my fly line or interchangeable tip without the use of an intermediate 'leader' ?
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Post by Yorkshire Esk on May 22, 2007 20:10:57 GMT
Just stick to a piece of nylon stuck to the end of your flyline, it will make your fishing far less complicated. You can then have the choice of a floating leader(cast) or a sinking one.
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Post by Sloggi on May 22, 2007 21:27:04 GMT
"nylon", "cast" - go on, someone mention "gut"  My take is this: fly-line ----> variable length of (fluorocarbon) leader (usually 2') ---> length of slightly thinner leader (approx. 4') where dropper may or may not be attached ---> second length of even thinner leader (approx. 4') ---> fly. The key, as in all fly-fishing, is the continual tapering from head of line through to point fly. I thought "tippet" was used more in trout fishing where they speak of 2x or 3x, for example. |
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Post by flynnboy on May 22, 2007 22:59:48 GMT
So why are the 14' interchangeable tips on the Quatro Spey line not tapered ?
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Post by Sloggi on May 23, 2007 7:16:40 GMT
So why are the 14' interchangeable tips on the Quatro Spey line not tapered ? I think they are tapered on my Quattro |
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Post by flynnboy on May 23, 2007 8:52:20 GMT
Hmmmm, I put my Vernier Gauge on them at both ends and there was virtually no difference, the taper must be ever so slight, the taper on my bought poly leaders are much more pronounced.
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Post by flynnboy on May 23, 2007 18:45:05 GMT
springer, out of interest, do you attach something like a polyleader or braided nylon leader to your tip, to which you attach your nylon cast, or do you simply attach a cast of nylon directly to the interchangeable tip ?
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