jdaddy
Active member
Hey, that's where the night fishing comes in . . . no need for 4x and no worries about leader/tippet implosion . . . 25lb Maxima is real easy to untangle, even in the dark.
Tulpehocken Crk, Berks Co, DH section, 7/24/2010
- Thread starter sight_nymph_17109
- Start date
I was fishing the Tully on Sunday and saw plenty of rising fish between daybreak and 9:00 am. I caught one early and then proceeded to miss or break off about 12-15 .
I am still in my first year of fly fishing so this is not that unsusual. I just bought a new Cabela's LST rod and I like the way it casts but I am wondering if the fast action is the reason that I am breaking tippet . I have been using a moderate action up until this point and have not had near as many break offs .
I probably need to find a happy medium between setting the hook fast enough and yet not be to strong to break the tippet.
I was using 7x florocarbon and then switched to 6X and still broke a few off at the knot .
I am going back within the next few days. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I will report back and let you all know how I make out.
I really do appreciate everyone on this board for the sound advise that I have received in the short time I have been here.
Thanks
I am still in my first year of fly fishing so this is not that unsusual. I just bought a new Cabela's LST rod and I like the way it casts but I am wondering if the fast action is the reason that I am breaking tippet . I have been using a moderate action up until this point and have not had near as many break offs .
I probably need to find a happy medium between setting the hook fast enough and yet not be to strong to break the tippet.
I was using 7x florocarbon and then switched to 6X and still broke a few off at the knot .
I am going back within the next few days. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I will report back and let you all know how I make out.
I really do appreciate everyone on this board for the sound advise that I have received in the short time I have been here.
Thanks
salvelinusfontinalis
Active member
- Joined
- Sep 9, 2006
- Messages
- 7,267
Go to 5X mono and see if you break off as many. If the fish dont take.....go to 6X and so on.
Just as a general rule, always start at 5X when fishing that stream. See if that helps.
Just as a general rule, always start at 5X when fishing that stream. See if that helps.
Wharfrat - I would stick with 6X. Thats all I use on the Tully this time of year. I use both floro and mono and both seem to work just fine. At times 5X will work as well based on water conditions.
Also when tying on tippet to leader be sure to wet both ends of the line before you synch the knot down. That floro tippet is rough on mono leaders and I found by wetting the two ends that seem to lessen the break off's.
Ron
Also when tying on tippet to leader be sure to wet both ends of the line before you synch the knot down. That floro tippet is rough on mono leaders and I found by wetting the two ends that seem to lessen the break off's.
Ron
pcray1231
Well-known member
wharfrat,
Generally, flouro is less "stretchy" than mono. Stretch acts like a shock absorber. Thus mono should result in fewer break offs, that is, if your problem is simply taking the line beyond the breaking point.
But flouro has some other advantages. It doesn't degrade (which is an advantage for fishing, a disadvantage for the environment), doesn't abrade as easily, and typically has higher knot strength.
So the real question there is, WHERE and WHEN is your tippet breaking?
Go with 6x if you're fishing tricos or midges (or sometimes even micro caddis), 4x and 5x for most everything else on the Tully. Those fish aren't all that tippet shy, I've never found a need to go to 7x there. If you're still getting tons of refusals with 6x, its drag, just lengthen the tippet and adjust your cast. Even with 6x, you're gonna break off one here and there, but it shouldn't be anywhere near 50%.
Generally, flouro is less "stretchy" than mono. Stretch acts like a shock absorber. Thus mono should result in fewer break offs, that is, if your problem is simply taking the line beyond the breaking point.
But flouro has some other advantages. It doesn't degrade (which is an advantage for fishing, a disadvantage for the environment), doesn't abrade as easily, and typically has higher knot strength.
So the real question there is, WHERE and WHEN is your tippet breaking?
Go with 6x if you're fishing tricos or midges (or sometimes even micro caddis), 4x and 5x for most everything else on the Tully. Those fish aren't all that tippet shy, I've never found a need to go to 7x there. If you're still getting tons of refusals with 6x, its drag, just lengthen the tippet and adjust your cast. Even with 6x, you're gonna break off one here and there, but it shouldn't be anywhere near 50%.
jdaddy
Active member
Wharfrat,
I believe that LST is one of the best value rods out there, especially at it's current sale price. I have a 9' 4wt LST that I use on occasion and really enjoy it. While it is a faster rod, it is not as fast as some of the other rods that I frequently use on the Tully. I use flourocarbon often as well and I agree that maybe where your problem is coming in.
1) Is your leader material mono? Mono to flouro connections can be difficult.
2) As pcray notes, flouro has very, very minimal stretch thus substantially reducing shock absorbency. That, along with the faster rod, could be an issue.
3) How long are your casts and how much slack do you have on the water? If you are making short casts, with little fly line out, with flouro, on a fast rod, with little slack in your leader . . . well it's going to take quite a bit of adjustment to compensate for that lack of "cushion".
If you would like to get together some time let me know.
I believe that LST is one of the best value rods out there, especially at it's current sale price. I have a 9' 4wt LST that I use on occasion and really enjoy it. While it is a faster rod, it is not as fast as some of the other rods that I frequently use on the Tully. I use flourocarbon often as well and I agree that maybe where your problem is coming in.
1) Is your leader material mono? Mono to flouro connections can be difficult.
2) As pcray notes, flouro has very, very minimal stretch thus substantially reducing shock absorbency. That, along with the faster rod, could be an issue.
3) How long are your casts and how much slack do you have on the water? If you are making short casts, with little fly line out, with flouro, on a fast rod, with little slack in your leader . . . well it's going to take quite a bit of adjustment to compensate for that lack of "cushion".
If you would like to get together some time let me know.
Thanks to all for the advise
To answer Pcrays question-
I am breaking off at the knot when I set the hook.
To answer Jdaddy's questions:
I am using a mono leader and floro tippet.
The breakoffs were generally longer casts with plenty of fly line on the water.
Jdaddy , I would be glad to meet up some time . I want to learn all that I can . I have been fishing my whole life but Fly Fishing is like learning to ride a bike all over again.
I like your Avatar by the way. That would make a cool T-shirt.
To answer Pcrays question-
I am breaking off at the knot when I set the hook.
To answer Jdaddy's questions:
I am using a mono leader and floro tippet.
The breakoffs were generally longer casts with plenty of fly line on the water.
Jdaddy , I would be glad to meet up some time . I want to learn all that I can . I have been fishing my whole life but Fly Fishing is like learning to ride a bike all over again.
I like your Avatar by the way. That would make a cool T-shirt.
littlelehigh
Member
- Joined
- Dec 16, 2008
- Messages
- 886
F the tully.....
pcray1231
Well-known member
knot between tippet-leader? Or the tippet-fly knot?
Yeah, mono to fluoro is tough. Why are you using flouro for small dry fly fishing? You don't get the visibility advantage when its on the surface. Plus, flouro is denser and sits lower in the water = more drag, bigger tendency for your fly to sink. Flouro is also stiffer than mono, which increases drag. Plus, as was said, you don't get much of a shock absorber.
My advice is to find a brand of mono thats as flexible as you can find, and use a fairly long piece of 6x for the tricos and small dry fly fishing.
Yeah, mono to fluoro is tough. Why are you using flouro for small dry fly fishing? You don't get the visibility advantage when its on the surface. Plus, flouro is denser and sits lower in the water = more drag, bigger tendency for your fly to sink. Flouro is also stiffer than mono, which increases drag. Plus, as was said, you don't get much of a shock absorber.
My advice is to find a brand of mono thats as flexible as you can find, and use a fairly long piece of 6x for the tricos and small dry fly fishing.
sight_nymph_17109
Member
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2007
- Messages
- 936
Not to over simplify things but could the break-offs be that you are pulling too hard on the hookset? My buddy used to leave 50% of takes with a souvenir fly in the lip.
LittleLehigh... I’m glad to see you’ve now come to the dark side. One more trip and you will become an official Tully hater. LMAO. I told ya!
LittleLehigh... I’m glad to see you’ve now come to the dark side. One more trip and you will become an official Tully hater. LMAO. I told ya!
pcray1231
Well-known member
I'd offer to join ya Jay, but I'm gonna be down your way looking at houses. Guess we're just trading places for a day...
jdaddy
Active member
QFT. 6X Frog Hair is a great choice.
pcray1231
Well-known member
I find Rio Powerflex just as good and a whole lot cheaper.
jdaddy
Active member
Well there you have it. Rio Powerflex it is. I posted re: Stroft tippet material and got no responses so I guess no-one is using it. They claim 30% higher lb test in same diameter. I ordered a spool or two and will update under the gear section once I get some experience with it. The guys in the Winston forum swear by it.
Unless I'm fishing tiny dries on 6x, I use 2lb or 4lb flurocarbon or mono fishing line most of the time. say what you want about the breaking strength to diamater, but I swear 2 lb line fishes like 4/5x and I've used it to land plenty of steelhead in low clear water.
sight_nymph_17109
Member
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2007
- Messages
- 936
"The guys in the Winston forum swear by it" WTF?
Well, the guys on the Sage forum swear by Rio.
Seriously, Winston has a forum?
Well, the guys on the Sage forum swear by Rio.
Seriously, Winston has a forum?
