How to Use Sink Tips - Try This Simple Trick

Choosing a sink tip shouldn't be difficult and I am here to help! This has worked for me for over 30 years of fly fishing. Less is more!
#flyfishing #flyfishdan #troutfishing #sinktips
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Simms G4 Waders: bit.ly/3vQyl99
Korkers Wading Boots: bit.ly/3w3rIRj
Wading Staff: bit.ly/3bgM148
SAGE Fly Rod (Great 1st Fly Rod!): bit.ly/31bVXKt
SAGE X Fly Rod (Fast Action next generation Sage TCR): bit.ly/3nBQJiq
ECHO Euro Nymphing Rod (Love this rod!): bit.ly/3BiOrcL
Winston 3-weight Fly Rod:
Orvis Battenkill Fly Reel (Bullet Proof Fly Reel): bit.ly/3CnUw98
Lamson Liquid Fly Reel (Great fly reel): bit.ly/3EkGrtH
Ross Colorado (Click & Paw - oldschool!): bit.ly/2ZtGELX
Rio Fly Line (The BEST Fly Line out there!): bit.ly/3ClzJ6r
Landing NET (Great net!): bit.ly/3CspJbC
Simms Sling Pack (LOVE THIS PACK!):
Simms Boat Bag: bit.ly/3BkPLMk
Fly Fishing Gear Bag (My recommendation; Simms no longer makes my exact bag): bit.ly/3pEDHU5
Best Rain Jacket PERIOD:
Waterproof Fly Box (Does not leak):
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Dry Shake: bit.ly/3CnBAr5
Forceps & Nippers: bit.ly/3Bj0LKk
Tapered Leaders: bit.ly/3EkpX4W
Tippet (5x, 4x, 3x): bit.ly/3ElZ5Se
You NEED a Dry Bag: bit.ly/3bnbrwF
Indicators (will not kink line):
Fly fishing for trout, fly fishing for Cutthroat in the Pacific Northwest has been a passion of mine for the last 40 years. I have spent most of my life fly fishing the great Pacific Northwest to include fly fishing in Alaska, fly fishing in Washington, fly fishing in Oregon, fly fishing in Idaho and fly fishing in Montana. I generally will fly fish and practice catch and release when fly fishing for trout, but I have been known to catch and cook during camping trips to many of my favorite fishing spots. I love to fly fish lakes in the higher elevation, though I have a few lowland lakes that are fly fishing only that are also on my most favorite list. I have a ton experience fly fishing rivers for trout and always enjoy discovering new rivers to fly fishing in and around the greater Pacific Northwest. I am also an accomplished at casting a fly rod - whether it is fly fishing casting for distance, fly fishing casting for accuracy, the double haul, roll cast, tower cast and many more fly fishing casting techniques - I can show you the basics when it comes to casting a fly rod. I also will cover many topics that relate to getting started with fly fishing. From your basic fly fishing setups, flies and fly boxes - we cover all the fly fishing needs for beginners. Thanks for taking the time to tune into FlyFishDan and I hope you consider subscribing to my fly fishing channel. Cheers and FISH-ON!!!

[@MichealBacon]

The tip you gave for using ONE sink tip setup and varying your retrieve is perfect. It removes virtually all the arithmetic from the equation and promotes the angler to become acquainted with the characteristics of ONE specific sinking line/leader. Thus only having to carry ONE sinking line/leader. As a relatively new fly angler, I occasionally find myself overloaded with all the different options recipes for the "right" setup. You just helped solve this for me, thank you.

[@FlyFishDan]

Very happy to hear! I was overwhelmed myself in the beginning as well. I am happy to hear the experience has helped you as well. Thanks for taking the time to watch and FISH-ON!!

[@johndonovan7334]

Another good advise video Dan. Very useful.

[@BrianFeesh]

So helpful, Dan. I like your mindset on it- just get a fast sinker and vary retrieve speed/time to sink.

[@FlyFishDan]

Thank you Brian - that has always worked for me, I hope you find that works for you as well. Cheers!

[@matthewallred72]

Hell yeah! Another great video! I hella needed this, Bro!

[@FlyFishDan]

Awesome - I am glad it helped! Thanks for taking the time to watch, I do appreciate that! Cheers!

[@johnberry9812]

Nice reference Dan, pretty slick!

[@SeaScoutLeader56]

That's a really helpful video. I haven't used either sinking line or sink tip yet, but now I have a better understanding of how to. Thanks, you're making some great videos. Fish On!!

[@FlyFishDan]

Glad it was helpful! Sink tips can be pretty confusing for sure - I am glad this seemed to clear things up for you when you are ready to get one. Thanks for taking the time to watch my videos, I do appreciate that! Cheers and FISH-ON!

[@tigersteamer]

Great vid. I have been use these same set ups now for a couple of years. Nice to know I've been doing it right😎. Now I've just got to convince the fish of this. Keep all the great content coming👍

[@FlyFishDan]

Thank you! I appreciate you taking the time to watch - cheers and FISH-ON!!

[@johnwarnke3861]

Great video. Solid descriptions. I wish I had this a year ago while trying to learn all this. I will put these tips to use. Thanks.

[@FlyFishDan]

Awesome John - glad you think it will help. Took me many years to figure out that having multiple sink tips really didn't help me catch more fish. Now I just use these two setups with success!

[@mattokeefe691]

Great advice Dan.

[@roddines8329]

Great advice

[@ronaldfisher222]

Thanks for making it simpler.

[@FlyFishDan]

My pleasure Ronald - thank you for taking the time to watch, I do appreciate that!

[@tonyionadi7768]

Thanks. Great advice and how to cast sink tips.

[@FlyFishDan]

Glad it was helpful!

[@keng9064]

Just rewatched. Best tip on sink tips. I have heard

[@FlyFishDan]

Thanks!

[@Thebreadedfurflinger]

Awesome video/information,for me I carry 3 lines when fishing still water a clear tip floating by Monic Lines,Cammo Intermediate by Cortland & type 6 full sink by Cortland,these cover all my needs,tight lines & bent rods 🤟

[@FlyFishDan]

Thank you! Looks like your bases are well covered. Cheers!

[@glennbuscher8003]

Thank you for sharing.

[@FlyFishDan]

My pleasure!

[@MegaNafo]

Thanks for this video , I didn't even know about this kind of tips , as a beginner , I was thinking to put some weight on my floating line to make it sink , now I know how to do it right.🙂

[@FlyFishDan]

Glad it was helpful!

[@JasonD-yc3oy]

Vogler lake is another good place to practice (if the road condition is good or you have someone clear for you like him)

[@FlyFishDan]

I googled that lake - looked great. Does that fish well in the winter as well? What type of fish?

[@JasonD-yc3oy]

@@FlyFishDanDr. Vogler is the best psychiatrist in Seattle area and an excellent fly fisherman. Go ask him. He will answer all your questions. Oh and make sure to get your brain checked.

[@soundbwoikilla764]

This is inspiring me to work some streamers! I don't do any lake fishing around here but there some small rivers with deeper runs where the locals recommend fishing streamers deep, downstream and across and where the depth is really beyond optimal nymphing. It would be cool if you can do a sink tip video on that type of fishing if you have that kind of water around you. I just can't seem find a groove with the sink tips.

[@FlyFishDan]

Thank you for the tip! I have fished these streamers in local rivers with sink tips - I will be sure to make a vid soon. Thank you for taking the time to watch! Cheers!

[@darrellkelly7614]

I'm hip to all this Dan. I use sinking lines 95% of my fishing time. Hope we run accross one another in2023

[@mdaley3102]

Great tips Dan. I’ve been pondering this for a while and trying to decide on a sink tip or a sink head for my 7 weight to go after steelhead. The one thing negative I heard about the full sinking line is that it gets tangled around your feet because it doesn’t float. Thanks

[@FlyFishDan]

You are most welcome!

[@garymartin8573]

Very helpful

[@FlyFishDan]

Glad to hear that!

[@1NotAPony1]

Another great video. You mention attaching a tapered leader to the end of the Versileader. I believe Rio recommends using straight tippet with the Versileader since the Versileader is already tapered. From my experience, you need to size the tippet so that your chosen fly sinks at about the same rate as the Versileader, and the faster sinking the Versileader is, the shorter the tippet should be. How long of a tippet are you typically using with your extra fast sinking Versileader?

[@FlyFishDan]

Thank you! I’ve had this sink tip for a long time now... I’ve replaced the original tapered leader with a 7.5 foot 4X tapered leader which seems to work well. Cheers!

[@JasonD-yc3oy]

Good tips. Pass Lake in Anacortes can be a good place to practice

[@FlyFishDan]

Good advise! I haven't fish Pass Lake in a long while...last time I did, I caught a sunken rod! :))

[@aaronberndt9343]

I tend to water load allot when on the float tube. Definitely easier then doing a full haul.

[@c11235]

Great video Dan! Thanks for this! When you are wading in the lake with your full sinking head line, does the intermediate running line sink around your feet and make it harder to shoot line? Would a full sink head with floating running line be better for wading in lakes? Or does the floating running line cause the hinge/rubber band problems you describe? Thanks again.

[@FlyFishDan]

Thank you! Glad it helped. Yes - the intermediate and full sink line does have the tendency to get caught up on the lakes edge and your feet when walking. I have used a stripping basket in those cases when I am walking. The floating line setup keeps that from happening...but you are right, like casting a spring-loaded fly line. I use water loading when casting that setup. Here's the vid on that technique: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iovQaGWdetRsmJY

[@graysenwrx2045]

Hey Dan I’m a big fan of the videos. Me my dad fish at cold water lake however we’ve always used lures and troll in our kayaks. However we’ve just recently gotten into fly fishing and your videos are very helpful. We’re planning on going out to cold water within the month. Do you have any recommendations as far as fly choices, using dry or wet, or to use an indicator or not? Thanks!

[@FlyFishDan]

Thanks! Yes - this time of year (October) big dry flies right up against the bank. Also use the yummy yellow and green buggers.

[@lickitysplitquick]

Hi fly fish Dan. I know this. Idle is a year old, but i’m new to fly fishing and just came across your videos. Your videos are great and extremely helpful. I did have a question regarding the 12’ Rio versileader you showed in the beginning of this video. What length tippet do you add to your versileader?

[@FlyFishDan]

Thanks! I typically use a 7.5 foot tapered leader with my sink tip.

[@TheKrazykris]

I use the same sinking leader. I cut mine into 4 pieces, and will use them as needed for weight. I even put the butt end with my sinking line to get the line down to 50 or 60 feet.

[@FlyFishDan]

NIce! Great tip, thank you!

[@Sides1160]

A tapered leader on the end of a sink tip, would be hard to control depth. 2 - 3 feet of tippet works better, and gives you better control of your depth. If what you are doing works for you have at it. I can see your fly being 3 - 4 feet above your sink tip.

[@FlyFishDan]

So many things to consider for sure - this has always worked well for me when fly fishing sink tips. I use a 7.5 foot 4X tapered leader to start with and once it’s down to about 5 feet in length I’ll add a bit of tippet. I’ve found that overall length hasn’t influenced whether I catch fish or not - just being close to the ‘zone’ where the fish are hanging out has worked well. Cheers!

[@oscarlambert3525]

Hey Dan would adding a sinking leader to the end of my fly line then say 3-5 feet of tippet work well for trout fishing on the beach or river? or should I throw a tapered leader to the sinking leader and a fly to the end of that?

[@FlyFishDan]

Hello - a rule of thumb is to use shorter leaders off sink tips with the water is turbid (off color)...a shorter leader gets the fly down in the zone you are targeting. When fishing clear water, best to have longer leaders as fish can spook more easily. I just use straight tippet when using 2-4 foot leaders, I use tapered for 7' or longer.

[@Prostotakrybalka]

Hello my Friend! Good information 👍

[@FlyFishDan]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Prostotakrybalka]

From Russia

[@Prostotakrybalka]

Fly fishing 👍

[@jonathanbranson9313]

Hi Dan. Great video. I have a spool with intermediate line and another with sinking line, so I've never used a sink tip. Do sink tips have a specific advantage over sinking lines that would make in worthwhile investing in one? If so, do you recommend flurocarbon or braided ones? Best wishes.

[@FlyFishDan]

Thank you! Sink tips are primarily used when you don't have your full sink setup with you and you need to get down a bit deeper with a floating line setup. I always have a sink tip with me for that reason - just in case! :)) For anything sinking line or sink tip related I would recommend fluorocarbon tapered or fluorocarbon braided. For me, I use the fluorocarbon braided for saltwater fishing (bonefish, tarpon, permit...I like the flex, almost a shock tippet in some regards) and tapered for anything fresh water. Hope that helps! Thanks for taking the time to watch!

[@jonathanbranson9313]

@@FlyFishDan Thanks Dan. Ever the collector of angling bits & bobs, I'll be giving these a try now 😁.

[@briankelly6113]

Can't tell from the picture...does that Rio sink tip have loop to loop connections on both ends?

[@FlyFishDan]

Hello Brian - yes, loop to loop both ends. Unless they have changed something in the past couple years.

[@theyoren9720]

Im looking for advice. Is it better to use DT or WF line with sinking tip ?

[@FlyFishDan]

WF with sink tips - easy to load, easier to cast.

[@samkidder13]

You made such a complicated thing so simple… thank you…

[@FlyFishDan]

Glad it helped!

[@christophervandenberg4830]

Jenny's got his number. Sad that the youngsters won't get that....😂

[@FlyFishDan]

Awesome you did!!

[@jds4935]

Hello Dan, do you then attach this sink line to the backing or do you still need a casting line (floating line)????? Thx

[@FlyFishDan]

Both can work - you can buy a full sink line that is designed to attach to your backing or you can buy a 'sink tip' that attaches to your existing floating line. I typically have a reel that has a full sink line and carry sink tips for quick change ups. Hope that helps!

[@jds4935]

@@FlyFishDan 🙏🙏👍

[@washburnbilly]

I bought the Rio sink tip and line and it won't cast more than 10 feet? I'm not a master on the the fly casting but i can do decent with other floating lines? I have the best of rods but this will not cast for me? I've asked many guy's why I am having a problem and they don't care? I spent $180.00 on this system that will not work! Do you have any suggestions? Because I sure could use some! Great video brother 👍 I'm a vet on the river but new to the fly rod game out side of chuck and duck.

[@FlyFishDan]

I would definitely use a water loading casting technique - here is a vid about just that: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bHbGh5qVgqacfrM

[@washburnbilly]

@@FlyFishDan cool Dan, I appreciate the advice! I run a drift boat too. so a ten foot cast is nothing with this line? I'll check out the video and thanks again for the reply!

[@FlyFishDan]

Water loading makes casting a sink tip much easier - ten-foot casts will be easy to do using this technique. Cheers!

[@tall14dude]

Dan says "don't get stuck in the weeds" with sink tips. Unfortunately, I did and I ended up breaking my rod today. I guess I'm done fishing for awhile

[@FlyFishDan]

I am sorry to hear!! That really stinks - what rod did you break? Hopefully a lifetime warranty fly rod?

[@Vinniev007]

Can I use the attachment for salt water ?

[@FlyFishDan]

Yes! Not a problem at all.

[@Paulpoission]

Do you like poly/versa or MOW tips?

[@FlyFishDan]

I typically use the poly/versa - I haven't tried the MOW myself. Thanks for tuning in!

[@Paulpoission]

@@FlyFishDan The MOW tips are a lot harder to cast IMHO

[@FlyFishDan]

@@Paulpoission that would make sense - not much stretch on the MOW.

[@gregkosinski2303]

MOW tips are designed for skagit heads, so it wouldn’t surprise me if they don’t work well with a fairly standard weight forward line

[@flyguy2021]

Clear intermediate is another must for Stillwater. Problem with only a fast sink line is you can’t do a slow retrieve at a shallow depth.

[@FlyFishDan]

Thank you FlyGuy for the tip and for watching - I do appreciate that!

[@ngocpham8129]

I like dan

[@FlyFishDan]

I like me too :))

[@paulviseskis9789]

Jenny Jenny where should I cast to.😂

[@FlyFishDan]

Nice! Not too many people picked up on that little pop culture reference :))

[@jmebig3044]

Cheap trick for sink tips - rattle reel line.

[@sketcham9234]

The Rio sink tips are tapered so why are you wasting a tapered leader. Perfection loop it and tippet works great…

[@FlyFishDan]

I found if you have any amount of length of line past the sink tip, heavier flies do not roll over without a tapered leader.

[@pisaberkeley9491]

You need to let us know where you are at. People don't like fishing channels that don't disclose locations. Vogler lake - it's no secret anyways

[@FlyFishDan]

I respectfully disagree, I have named places in previous videos that are already well-known and well published. The places that I’ve spent years discovering on my own will remain private. The community here on this channel fully understands and embraces this - furthermore, this video was created to help people decide on which sink tips to use, completely unrelated to where I happened to be standing…Be well, be kind and FISH-ON!!

[@pisaberkeley9491]

@@FlyFishDan "I'm standing at this beautiful Vogler lake... today I want to talk about... " that's how you connect your channel to viewers. Check these two fishing channels - FlyfishingLadin and Purple Drake. They don't give out the exact GPS coordinates they don't need to but you know where they fish ... like "having you guys on my journey"

[@gonefishing321]

what are you on man? you cant just go around telling people your private and special locations. you dont want to see a bunch of people at your awesome spot. I get that you would like to know the spot but it wouldn't even be a good place if it was full of people

[@JasonD-yc3oy]

so true