Sizing & choosing tippets

Walter & Group........

From Ally Gowans, (Scotland) :-

Hi Gordy,

 

Right now I’m busy running the fishing side of the Scottish Game Fair so briefly:

 

I use X dimensions for trout tippets and generally mm sizes for other leaders simply because metric diameters are what is mostly available here. The reason for the X dimensions is that it so easy to relate them to fly hook sizes. For larger hooks and salmon fishing I have my rules of thumb for the mm diameters vs fly hook size. Breaking strain is of interest but only secondary to presentation. If the fish won’t take the fly because it’s not fishing right breaking strain is irrelevant! Perhaps my only exception is the Mason Hard or wire shock leader that I use for pike fishing.

 

Best wishes,

Ally Gowans

DVD video “Spey Casting Made Easy” by Ally details http://www.letsflyfish.com/spey_casting_dvd.htm

See my web sites http://www.letsflyfish.com and http://www.flyfish-scotland.com  

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From Tony Loader (Australia) :-

Tony & Group....

QUESTION FOR YOU MEMBERS OUTSIDE THE U.S. :

 

1.)  HOW DO YOU MATCH LEADER DIAMETERS TO FLY HOOK SIZE ? For trout, approximately"rule of three's" for smaller diameter tippets. I arrive at this by using 0.18mm (nearly 8lbs breaking strain in Stroft GTM) or smaller diameter for size 16 or larger flies. Seldom fish flies smaller than 16.

2.)  WHAT SYSTEM OF MEASUREMENT DO YOU USE FOR LEADER DIAMETERS ?  

       a.  Fractions of inches.

       b.  Metric system (millimeters). Australia's conversion to metric units, which commenced in 1970, included a prohibition on publishing imperial equivalent units. All tippet material sold here is therefore required by law to be labelled with metric units only so I've pretty much learned to think in decimals.

       c.  The, "X" system.

       d.  Other  (let us know.)

 

3.)  WHAT SYSTEM OF MEASUREMENT DO YOU USE TO QUANTIFY TENSILE STRENGTH OF TIPPET MATERIAL ?

       a. Pound breaking strength. For trout, since I still relate to trout weight in pounds.

       b. Kg. breaking strength. For saltwater species

       c. Other

4.)  WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR CONVERSION FORMULAE ( IF ANY). Doubling the labelled Kg b/s is close for pounds and gives me a small buffer for potential knot weakness.

Gordy

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From Chris Dore (New Zealand) :-

QUESTION FOR YOU MEMBERS OUTSIDE THE U.S. :
 
1.)  HOW DO YOU MATCH LEADER DIAMETERS TO FLY HOOK SIZE ?

 

I pretty much only use three sizes of tippett here in Southern NZ. 2x for streamers / huge, less-than-aerodynamic dries, 4x general purpose dry / nymph fishing in the size 12 - 14 size range, and 6x for smaller flies, and low, summertime flows on the Mataura and other lowland waters where micro currents come into play.

 

 

 

2.)  WHAT SYSTEM OF MEASUREMENT DO YOU USE FOR LEADER DIAMETERS ?  
       a.  Fractions of inches.
       b.  Metric system (millimeters).
       c.  The, "X" system.
       d.  Other  (let us know.)

 

I use the X system, but many of my kiwi mates go by lbs b/s. The X system isnt too well known here.

 

3.)  WHAT SYSTEM OF MEASUREMENT DO YOU USE TO QUANTIFY TENSILE STRENGTH OF TIPPET MATERIAL ?
       a. Pound breaking strength.
       b. Kg. breaking strength.
       c. Other

A - Pound breaking strain, as do most Kiwis IMO

4.)  WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR CONVERSION FORMULAE ( IF ANY).

 

I don't use any.

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