Fly Fishing Lessons-Understanding Leaders and Tippet

Charlie shows you the difference between leaders and tippets. Many new anglers come to the shop for information and this is a very common question we get. Subscribe out our channel to see all of our beginning fly fishing videos. Check us out at www.tightlinesflyshop.com

[@douglasblotz6663]

Great explanation. I thought tippet was just something you didn't want to do in a canoe. Thanks

[@tedhultberg4475]

Finally a perfect explanation for a rookie like me.

[@kylejarman2604]

I gave up on 4 videos before watching this superb explanation!! As a beginner fly fisherman this video has been incredibly helpful. Many thanks from Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@lucpaluand9942]

I’m new to fly fishing, this video was very helpful

[@andyjame5150]

This was a great beginners kit for a great price. kzbin.infoUgkxKRURvLsu9Vvyw7gIuvt8FsApoQNCdz-1 Its given us a huge variety to test out and see what works well and what we like to use. Majority of the flies have stayed together well, but some of the rainbow warriors did unravel after catching a few blue gill. All in all, this was a great kit and are so happy with the purchase and value for money.

[@mattreid859]

Thank you from here in the UK. Good simple explanations 👍

[@piingzz]

probably the best video i've found for this explanation of leaders and tippet! Thank you!

[@cmayhew9066]

I agree

[@davidgregg6703]

Best video I’ve came across thanks

[@cgcafasso]

Just starting with fly fishing, excellent clarification

[@kennethbernstein8079]

This is the BEST video explaining leaders and tippets.....simple, short but CLEAR!!!

[@Chris-sj5np]

So many of my questions have just been answered from this video

[@neilkjos7295]

Excellent explanation!! Just the facts.

[@bloodyeyeful]

Thank you for clearing that up. I'm so old school I still tie nail knots without the nails. It took me over 6 years to invest in waders, and I was in "Cold Rivers" Oregon, such as the Metolius. Brrrr! Stay healthy!

[@allyoucancook3449]

That's a loud and clear. Thank you so much

[@robertbarr8001]

That was beautifully simple and clear explanation of something that was previously unclear to me. Thank you and good luck with your business.

[@jnrb13]

The most straightforward explanation I've found online on what shouldn't be a complicated topic. Kudos chaps!

[@merlotcrush1969]

Thank you for not making this more complicated than needed.

[@valzerna]

whoaaa finally!!! i was so confused. Thank you, this is by far the best video about leaders and tippets, great explanation!

[@josephbenson4444]

Thank you man, very well done.

[@TheWaveydee]

Excellent advice on tapered leaders and tippet location - thanks for the clarification.

[@crashtest1205]

THANK YOU! Really breaks it down and makes sense. Fly Fishing is full of Jargon, and can be hard to dive into. I was really stuck on this whole tippet/leader thing until watching this video.

[@meltonantypowich4551]

Thanks for the video! Leader and Tippet fully understood....tight lines!

[@gloving3]

Thank you so much I've probably watched over a hundred videos trying to understand tippet now I understand it all your awesome

[@guncrazy72]

Great video! This has been confusing me lately as a new fly fishermen and I now completely understand the terms and the difference between tippet, leaders and not using just regular mono

[@rick0596]

Thanks. I just started fly fishing about 2 weeks ago. I got the backing and fly line on the reel , just about ready to tie the leader on and saw something about tippets. I thought great more stuff to buy. So Thanks again for clearing up all this confusion I had

[@crewdawg52]

Found this one of the most informative videos on fly fishing. Had no idea what the difference was between a "leader" (knew what that was) and a "tippet" (had no clue).

[@StormLaker]

The more I watch these videos, the more I want to make the 4-5 hour drive up your way to visit the shop:-)!

[@ocrun6765]

Thank you for the excellent explanation!

[@tightlinesflyshop]

Glad it was helpful!

[@cali_misfit1387]

That was GREAT info! Some of the best I could have hoped for.

[@tightlinesflyshop]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@thigson189]

Outstanding information and very well presented. Thank you!

[@rain-bh9js]

thanks man, I had those questions for awhile and definitely answered what I needed to know! great video thanks again!

[@cartergjenkins]

That helped so much. Thanks

[@RegularGuysOutdoors]

Thank you! That was well said, clear and concise.

[@dasaster7993]

Very helpful, thanks.

[@silva-anderida7695]

Brilliantly explained.Thanks.

[@TomOB767]

Great explanation, made something confusing seem so simple ... Thank you!!

[@literaturaeproposito]

Very good and clear. Thank you very much!

[@tylernorman25]

Exactly the video i was looking for!

[@kennycoye3907]

U explained that in plain, big letters, kids book style! Meaning if I could understand that, everyone could! Got it! Your a GD Genious. Thanks man!

[@beemanrunning977]

Excllent explanation. Well done my friend!

[@slimfrank86]

This was exactly what I was looking for.

[@lauralbriar]

Just learning to fly fish and this was an excellent explanation - thanks so much! I have subscribed and will check out your shop on line!

[@ohtm219]

Awesome info thank you.

[@yupperzjames]

Helped out alot thanks fast and simple .

[@ajaronis1]

Thank you for clearing that up. Very confusing after hearing different things.

[@scubaman44406]

Excellent vid,,,,really done well!

[@cmayhew9066]

Thanks appreciate the video very helpful

[@Katlyn67]

AWESOME explanation -thanks!!!!!

[@markbieber7769]

Clear as a bell after the watching the video. Well done.

[@josephstevens701]

Great explanation, thanks a lot!!

[@fullstrutn]

It does help ,,the ''pile up'' with my ''leader'' is exactly what I was getting

[@jasonmullins4826]

Also if you add too long of tippet material with the remaining leader....it will pile up...there is a nice balance between diameter of taper and length..FWIW

[@hectatusbreakfastus6106]

Another good thing for new fly fishers like us to know is the knot breaking strength of the knots we use. I'll never use a surgeons knot again now that I know that the improved blood knot is a better knot for attaching tippit to leader material. Rio has a really good knot section on their youtube channel where they test the knots breaking strength. I've been using clinch knots and surgeons knots but now I've decided to change up a little and use triline knot or turle knot (for up angled eyelet flies) for my dry flies, improved blood knot for attaching tippit to leaders, and the perfection loop for wetflies, emergergers, nymphs and I'll test them on streamers to see the results. So here's the stats for these 78% breaking strength on the improved blood knot, 95% on perfection loop, clinch knot 89% where the triline is 99%, turle knot 92%. Either way the breaking spot is the improved blood knot. The surgeon knot is 66% blood knot 68% and improved blood knot 78% so it's an easy choice. Happy fishing! There is one argument against this. Should the tippit be the weakest link or should the hook be the weakest link. I haven't lost any flies in the water, only on back casts. I might have an easier time finding my flies if there is tippit material hanging off them. I don't really think I'll be snapping many lines into the water. I sure hope that I never snap any into it honestly. If that ever happens I'll probably switch to the fly being the weakest link. I don't want trash floating around in the rivers. I keep all my trash out of the water, even when I clip the tags off when I ties my knots. I'll test this and see how it goes and if I lose any line in the water I'll change it up so it never happens again.

[@tracyhawley8829]

Thanks for the info

[@MafferDragonhandEyed]

great video, helped a lot.

[@TheLogicman1]

Very helpful, thank you!

[@blair2322]

Thanks man info really helped.

[@sda5150]

Thank you so much that like cleared up a whole of things I was wondering all in one go!

[@bluegill2030]

SammyADrummer so is he saying that you need a few spools of tippet and a few packs of leaders at all times?? I am really confused about this. I want to try fly fishing but I’m just extremely confused. Also is he saying a leader is only good until you use up the first 3 feet of it then you need a new leader tied on??

[@sda5150]

Use a tapered leader, but then add about 3 feet of tippet to the end, and work off (tie your flies to) the tippet, once you’ve use the tippet up, cut it off add a new 3 foot of tippet.. then the leader lasts ages, and also less likely to spook the fish.. Size wise, If using a 6x leader, use no bigger than a 6x tippet. Hope that helps! Happy fishing!

[@sda5150]

Helps to have a spare leader of two, and a spool of tippet with you, in-case you snag or break off and need to re-rig

[@NaupakaNeoWeo]

thanks for the info!

[@015diesel]

Outstanding thank you very much!

[@cheekymonkeyrich]

Great vid thank you

[@cr0cket01]

thanks this un confused me i was using a tippet ring on a leader with a built in tippet thinking i needed a leader and tippet

[@delwigzieful]

This video sorted me out cheers dude ALIEN

[@zackafishing2107]

Thanks

[@lauriechaseunscripted]

Thanks so much for explain the terminology and tippet use so clearly. 1. You mentioned using a leader the same length as my rod. I usually add 3 feet or so tippet especially when dry flying. 2. Can I cut off the 4x portion of leader and add 3 x if I want to fish a larger fly?

[@TheVeganeater]

THANK YOU.

[@johnpoc6594]

Nice! Was really confused with the leader/tippet thing

[@DNMEBOY]

I just got a fly rod and realized I’m not done yet. Need my leader. Now I know why.

[@MulligansIslandCP1]

Excellent video

[@tightlinesflyshop]

Thank you very much!

[@filmic1]

Thanks a lot. Been watching fly line technique videos, first I've found that really explains what a tippet is. The alpha numerical '0x' etc is the gage of the leader that has to match the hook/fly size, is that right?

[@Dawgs241]

Great Video!! So if I have a 3x tapered leader, I match it with a 3x Tippet spool?

[@obxburg]

Great information Thanks! 75% of my fly fishing is in salt water. Should my entire leader including my shock line (11.6”s IGFA legal) be approximately 8’ 6”s to 9’ when using an 8’6” rod?

[@Charsept]

Good info

[@niall441]

Will i use strait tippet at the end of a Mow leader?

[@quaintadventures6593]

Really needed a diagram to go with this. I'm used to spin fishing. We use braid and attach a leader to it. The lure is then attached to the end of the lure. I still don't know the difference between a tippet and a leader.

[@christopherbennett4559]

what about tippet rings. I am new to fly fishing but I saw and bought some .

[@dmitri5744]

So what do I buy! Gosh I'm so confused! I don't know what I need for my 4 weight rod!

[@ipod1978]

Fly line to 15lb Fluro leader and fishing for rainbow trout on a well stocked lake with trout ranging from 2-25lb what would be the very least tippet material you would want to be using? 6lb?

[@adamkirk7649]

what tippet sizes would I use for a 8/9 wt?

[@naughtyusername]

i can hear you really well IN MY LEFT EAR ;)

[@kaiserinfishy8071]

Lets say I have a 5x tapered leader and did cut it down a bit. The only tippet I could use would be 5x, correct? Why would I use a tippered holder with so many different sizes? Is it because I also regulary change the whole leader while fishing?

[@Detroit3Pistons]

At what point do you throw away the tapered leader from adding tippet? Once the last 3’ of the same diameter line is gone?

[@chromedruggie]

Can your tippet be a flurocarbon leader material?

[@smcewen7]

Can you just use any line with the same diameter as the tippit line?

[@macjor55]

And if ya don’t know, now ya know... groovy outro music.

[@adamavinger1688]

so the tippet material is used to replace broken leader to ensure the line near the fly is thin enough to allow for good transfer? Which says to me you buy a spool of tippet, to save buying packs of leader? what knot does one use to tie tippet material to the leader?

[@tightlinesflyshop]

+Adam Avinger You still need to start with a fully tapered leader. The tippet material is added as a patch to keep your leader in good shape and allow smooth transfer. You don't want to just use a straight piece of tippet as a leader. This is one of our videos on tying the double surgeons loop for attaching more tippet to the leader. I hope this is helpful my friend. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKDSZYKHpK2UsJo

[@scottfgray]

tightlinesflyshop For the last few years, I have been using the Seaguar knot for tippet to leader. Ties easy. I have not had one fail yet. According to an article I read very high line strength retained.

[@dpdenzer]

Good answer as to why not use regular mono for a leader, but why not use regular fluoro for tippet material ($8 for 250 yds vs. $15 for 30 yds)?

[@jasonmullins4826]

I think technically, fly fishing tippet material is suppose to have a diameter to strength ratio stronger than a spool of fishing line. Charlie's description of just using mono can also apply to fluoro...both will pile up on the end of the cast. This is not so much of an issue if you are nymph fishing but dry fly fishing, it makes all the difference. You can buy fishing line, but I would use it on like 6 lbs or greater. The lighter tippet material tends to be more supple.

[@jeffreycaruso8689]

Oh

[@Lucky13Twice]

Can't we just use a piece of floro fishing line as a tippet?

[@ronaldcribbs2093]

Dang I was using tippet instead of a leader😬

[@donald2100]

no sound must be phone camera ?

[@andrewdlarge]

Did you produce these sound levels that way on purpose?

[@denofearthundertheeverlast5138]

I'm never using another mono or floro leader again, there way over priced and only last a few outings, I'm using Furled Leaders from now on.

[@chadparkerson7129]

No audio

[@lynnmaureenshevshenko8254]

NO AUDIO????

[@christophercook723]

Pardon?

[@brettST]

This really helped, thanks

[@angieknoll5633]

Thank you for a great explanation!