It is one of the most common topics of conversation that we get from beginning anglers. They are confused about what size tippet to use. ...
Tippet sizing in general:
We use a __x system for tippet sizing. This measures the diameter of the material, not the breaking strength. Any given company can, and will lie about the strength of their tippet and how it breaks, so we go by the diameter when sizing them. If you are wondering which brand or type of tippet to get, read this article here.
Size the tippet to the fly.
This is the number one key to picking a tippet size. Size the tippet to the fly. There is something I had never heard of called the rule of three. Divide the size of the fly by three and use that size tippet. There is room for error though, I would say that you could usually go up or down a size for this situation and be fine.
Tippet Sizes..
The system is like hook sizes. The smaller number equals a bigger diameter.
0x is the biggest trout tippet in the system. It is usually about 15 pound test, and along with 1x, is mainly used to either rebuild a bad leader or for streamer fishing.
2x tippet is used mostly for streamer fishing, and throwing #2 to #6 salmonflies, big nymphs, stonefly patterns, hoppers and big foam things like a Fat Albert.
3x tippet is mostly used for big, but not gigantic nymphs like a #6-#10 Pat's Rubber Legs, moderately sized hoppers, or other bigger dry flies.
4x is one of the most popular size of tippet and is used a lot for the standard size dry flies, like #10-#14.5x is just as popular, and is what most anglers use for #14-#18 flies.
6x is for those smaller patterns and is about as small as most people want to use.
7x is for those risk-taking, trico-loving anglers.
I have seen 8x tippet and never used it or 7x.
That rundown is what is most typical. It is by no means a suggestion that you do it wrong.
That rundown is what is most typical. It is by no means a suggestion that you do it wrong.
We are recommending the tippet sizes that are most commonly
used and what we have done in the past. In some areas, anglers have set precedent that differs. We do
recommend talking with your fellow local anglers and finding out what
works best on your home water. Plenty of anglers only fish 5x or 6x tippet. Some rarely venture that small.
We see tons of anglers that buy an assortment of big Salmonfly patterns and then a spool of 5x tippet. I would guess that most anglers could snap off a fly that big with a mediocre backcast. The amount of force that a #2 Salmonfly puts on a tippet can easily exceed the break strength of some small diameter tippet. Another thing to think about is that when the tippet is bigger, it can transfer more energy to the fly, which will lead to better, more accurate casts.
I have talked with anglers that say "if it fits through the eye of the hook, fish it" just as often as I talk to anglers that never use anything bigger than 6x tippet.
Pressure and clarity: Anglers tend to go smaller on their tippet when they are fishing in those crystal clear spring creeks and lakes where the water is slow and the fish has an hour to look at your fly before committing. Smaller diameter tippet will allow the fly to move more naturally as it creates less drag on the water, and is (in theory) harder to see. The disadvantage is that you will likely lose more flies, and fish, when you use smaller tippet.
Fish that are pressured fall into the same category. They become wary of flies, tippet and people in boats and on shore. Going down a size is a popular tactic. Places like Rocky Ford Creek, where crystal clear spring water plus a pile of fishermen squeezed into a little area mean that 6x tippet is the largest tippet that most anyone fishes with. Places like that are where I expect to see 7x and 8x tippet.
This also goes for when the river drops into low and clear conditions. The river slows down, but it also concentrates the fish and stresses them out, which can make them wary enough that anglers will often downsize their tippet.
We certainly hope that helps, and please feel free to give us a call if you have any questions! We are always happy to help!
Andrew Perrault
-Fishing, usually not catching
We see tons of anglers that buy an assortment of big Salmonfly patterns and then a spool of 5x tippet. I would guess that most anglers could snap off a fly that big with a mediocre backcast. The amount of force that a #2 Salmonfly puts on a tippet can easily exceed the break strength of some small diameter tippet. Another thing to think about is that when the tippet is bigger, it can transfer more energy to the fly, which will lead to better, more accurate casts.
I have talked with anglers that say "if it fits through the eye of the hook, fish it" just as often as I talk to anglers that never use anything bigger than 6x tippet.
Considerations
Pressure and clarity: Anglers tend to go smaller on their tippet when they are fishing in those crystal clear spring creeks and lakes where the water is slow and the fish has an hour to look at your fly before committing. Smaller diameter tippet will allow the fly to move more naturally as it creates less drag on the water, and is (in theory) harder to see. The disadvantage is that you will likely lose more flies, and fish, when you use smaller tippet.Fish that are pressured fall into the same category. They become wary of flies, tippet and people in boats and on shore. Going down a size is a popular tactic. Places like Rocky Ford Creek, where crystal clear spring water plus a pile of fishermen squeezed into a little area mean that 6x tippet is the largest tippet that most anyone fishes with. Places like that are where I expect to see 7x and 8x tippet.
This also goes for when the river drops into low and clear conditions. The river slows down, but it also concentrates the fish and stresses them out, which can make them wary enough that anglers will often downsize their tippet.
We certainly hope that helps, and please feel free to give us a call if you have any questions! We are always happy to help!
-Fishing, usually not catching
