How to tie on droppers? - Page 3

Guddler · #21 (**permalink**) 19-09-2009, 06:01 PM

I'm right glad to hear some more experienced flyfishers giving a two turn knot the thumbs up.
I've slimmed down this year after starting with a blood knot, then a three turn water knot and now down to two. Hasn't given me any problems at all.

threadchaser · #22 (**permalink**) 19-09-2009, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyfishwithme

BUT, my leaders have two pieces attached to the tippet end that are about 30" in length in 5/4x and 7/6x.
I take a piece of 6x tippet material (about 10" is sufficient) and make a 'perfection loop' in one end. I them loop that over the leader, above a knot, by threading the opposite end through the loop. Pull tight and slide down to the knot.
Repeat above the other knot. and trim both to about 6".
The way this is built means that the dropper stands out at right angles to the leader. Works fine (I have had upto 4lbs on them and they have held) and is very easily removed if you want to go down to a single dropper or use a dry.
This is an old approach from the beginning of last century.

This is some of the best advice i have had anywhere try it and see what you think yourself i will be very surprised if you dont like it. Unlike a lot of guys as an aside i dont use flourocarbon or copolymer(have tried them and find them too supple) call me old fashioned i use the old nylon "bayer perlon" and i still catch a good number of trout and grayling.

Balling Buzzer · #23 (**permalink**) 19-09-2009, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyfishwithme

I'll tell you what I do as I have a daily need to be swapping from dry to wet and back again pretty steadily during the day and I don't want to continually be fixing my leader.
BUT, my leaders have two pieces attached to the tippet end that are about 30" in length in 5/4x and 7/6x.
I take a piece of 6x tippet material (about 10" is sufficient) and make a 'perfection loop' in one end. I them loop that over the leader, above a knot, by threading the opposite end through the loop. Pull tight and slide down to the knot.
Repeat above the other knot. and trim both to about 6".
The way this is built means that the dropper stands out at right angles to the leader. Works fine (I have had upto 4lbs on them and they have held) and is very easily removed if you want to go down to a single dropper or use a dry.
This is an old approach from the beginning of last century.

I tried this method of attaching droppers today and find it seems to work very well. The dropper stands out at right angle to the leader, it doesnt twist around the leader as much and no wind knots.Do many others use this method?

boyne · #24 (**permalink**) 19-09-2009, 08:30 PM

This probably sounds dumb but when you say 5/4x and 7/6x what does this mean???

Balling Buzzer · #25 (**permalink**) 19-09-2009, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boyne

This probably sounds dumb but when you say 5/4x and 7/6x what does this mean???

Its another way of describing the breaking strain of the leader material.The lower the X number the higher the breaking strain is.
eg 5/4X = 3/4lb bs

guest3 · #26 (**permalink**) 19-09-2009, 09:15 PM

Hi', Boyne.
The X rating dates back to the days of gut leader material, and relates to the number of times that a strand of gut has been passed through a grading template. The more scraping, the thinner the strand and the higher the X number. It is a bit of an anachronism that gives the older anglers a chance to display relatively useless knowledge

; but it is a part of fly fishing history.
A part of life's rich tapestry.

Only kidding. TC

boyne · #27 (**permalink**) 20-09-2009, 01:32 AM

you know its things like this that make it all the more interesting

flyfishwithme · #28 (**permalink**) 20-09-2009, 10:18 AM

BB & TC,
You note that I never use breaking strain when talking about leaders. I either refer to thickness as either thousand of an inch or mm or x rating. That is because good leader design is built around diameter and not breaking strain. If I reverted to the latter, then I would see enormous variation in my leaders where parts of it may be too thick or too thin.
Yes BB the higher the x rating the lower the breaking strain, but look at the variations available in the market at any diameter. For example, Stroft, Drennan etc.
This is why I always use diameter as the reference point as it also is closely aligned to stiffness..

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