I currently use a Greys platinum floating line WF7.........but I hear a lot of people talking about "sink tips"....can someone please explain what a sink tip is and ow it's used? Also, has anybody ever come across the Greys intermidiate/floating line....(found here) http://www.fmtc.co.uk/cgi-bin/web_st...d=FLY&cart_id=

cheers

A Sink-Tip is simply a full floating line with a small section of sinking fly line (usually 1ft - 5ft dependant upon manufacturer) attached to the end.

it allows you to fish your flies (usually nymphs) deeper and at a slightly different angle than a standard floating line.

There excellent for fishing the Washing line method (booby on the point and nymphs on the droppers) or deep nymphing without the need of a long leader.

The Midge Tip is as good as any - but is expensive so if you don't want to pay approx £49 just get a clear Intermediate Airflo Poly Leader and attach via the loop to loop connection for around £5.

Other densities are available but the clear intermediate is generally best for small stillwaters and reservoirs

Thanks for that, really useful. I might invest in a sink tip line then. You said they're often used for nymphing, is there particular time of season/year when you get best results on the sink tip? It's funny that you mention the airflo leaders cos I bought a set of intermediates and floating ones but I wasn't sure if I then have to tie some flourocarbon onto the end of it with droppers etc coming off that or if I can just tie directly onto the airflo stuff?

The Airtflo Poly leader is JUST an extension of your flyline......you must then tie your leader on to the "poly leader".

Sink tips will work all year round, and can be used with any fly that you want to fish deeper and without the need for a long leader on a floating line.

They are frequently used by us competition anglers to fish nymphs or the washing line method, at any time of the year (but usually May - September)

I'd say that in May and June when the fish are on the buzzers or in July and August when hot weather often pushes the fish deeper then it's a good idea to fish straight nymphs on the sink tip to get the required depth.

But at the end of August /Septemberthe cooler weather (although this year the summer has been overcast and cool by normal standards so the fish have been high in the water all summer too) often means the fish are high in the water (top 2-5ft) simply put a booby on the point and nymphs on the droppers and fish the "washing line" method this way you'll have all the flies at the depth of the fish and will maximise your chances....just opt for a small eyed black booby, sparkler booby or orange booby for the point and you won't go far wrong with your favourite nymphs on the droppers.

Cheers Rob

I have a sink tip (DT6-ST) which is two-colour, salmon pink for the floating body and black for the sinking tips - which are about 15 foot long, it appears to be made of PVC...

It came on a secondhand reel so I have absolutely no idea who the maker was - but it has been an effective trout catching tool, so If I lost it I'd want another....

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Plusnet/Madasafish > Liars to the internet community

Snowbee have just brought out new buzzer lines which are the same as sink tips and are really good.Called countdown lines they cost around £45 but there is 4 of them and vary from 2ins per sec to 7ins per second.Others to look at are the cortland Ghost tip line another good one.
Ideal when fish are feeding just under the surface rather than on top.I do find with poly leaders that you get a hinging where they join loop to loop at the fly line,good for quick changes in competitions,but casting wise I dont like them but thats personal.Robs advice is spot on and try the poly lines first to see how you get on but many do use the midge tip lines now and they do work when others are not getting fish and those using them are.I would say its aline you definatly need in your box.

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Kevin

Sounds like a Cortland line,very good. but a bit long for the washing line.
Great advice Rob.Welcome to the Forum.

Jim

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The Fishermans Friend is the Flirty Fly,Fickle Food for Fleeting Fish.

excellent advice, thanks a lot. I've noticed that greys do this:

http://www.fmtc.co.uk/cgi-bin/web_st...d=FLY&cart_id=

it's a floating line with an intermediate front section.......I presume these are just the same as sink tips? or do the "tips" on sink tips sink quicker than this?

If you have the capacity for an extra line (a spare spool) then go for a sink tip as it will perform better than the 'added tip' combination. Saying that if you quickly need to switch to dries then if you use a polyleader then its a much quicker change.

Best sinktips IMHO are Snowbee XS, Rio & Cortland.

Best of luck.

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Tight Lines
JD

Familiarity breeds contempt - and children......