Fly Line / Interchangeable Leaders

[moman]

My Christmas present this year was an 8-wgt St. Croix Avid and Aurora SunTech reel. Since 4 extra spools and all the line might have to wait, I stumbled across several new interchangeable tip systems being sold by SA and others. Seems reasonable, assuming they work. Need a sinking tip?, just add the new 15' section. Invented I'm sure for guys like me who'd rather spend their money on a new plug rod and not 4 sets of $60 fly line. Any expereince with these or too good to be true?

BTW, I'm happy to row a good fly-fisherman down a local creek (my boat) should you like to teach me how to use this thing.I can't catch any fewer fish than I caught on the Clack Saturday so what have I got to lose.

Also, I was unable to find a local fly-fishing BB (never looked until today), if you can point me to one, I won't place future fly posts here.

[Pete]

Mo,
No need to apologize about fly casting ... there's a bunch of us that do it!

You're on the right track with finding someone to get you up to speed ... there are probably a dozen fly shops in the area that can help with gear. Talk with a couple before you commit to interchangable tip lines. You may find that you can get a lot of versatility out of one line by varying your technique.

I don't think you'll find a local fly casting BB, but there are a lot of groups that will provide good info ... here are a couple places to start a search:
Clark-Skamania Flyfishers (http://www.clark-skamania-flyfishers.org/)
Federation of Fly Fishers (http://www.fedflyfishers.org)

[ 12-31-2001: Message edited by: Pete ]</p>

[Bubzilla]

Interchangeable tips are great for salmon and steelhead fishing. Long before they were commercially available, there were lots of do-it-yourself recipes (still are), and a couple fly shops that made them for customers (Scarlet Ibis in Corvallis made one with Deep Water Express pieces and a Cortland running line that was very popular--I'm sure they still make it). Now, several companies make them, and as a general rule they're far superior to what was previously being produced.

Aside from the homemade and fly shop-created lines I've had and tried over the years, I've had or tried Rio, Airflo, and Scientific Anglers interchangeable tips as well. Of these, I prefer the Rio--with Scientific Anglers being a close second. The Rio is well-designed, and has very sturdy loop-to-loop connections. It's not as hingy as some interchangeable tips, but it does create a little more of a problem when working a short line--the connections are a little bulky, and tend to catch in the guides. The S.A. is a good line, but they have had a lot of trouble with their connections. My first line literally came apart at the connections while casting. The shop where I bought it replaced it with a newer version, and I haven't had any problems since. Although, I'd say Rio still has a better design--at least with regard to the connections.

Generally, commercial lines will come with a floating tip and a couple sinking tips in various sink-rates. The Rio, for example, comes with a floating, a Type III, and Type VI. Another great thing about Rio is that you can buy just the tips (which are 15')--great for expanding your arsenal. My S.A. came with a floater, two sinking, and a clear intermediate (like a piece of their Stillwater line). The clear intermediate piece has got me into fish when the water was VERY low and clear. It's a nice touch for the package.

These lines come with a wallet for keeping extra tips. The wallet easily fits in a vest pocket.

Now, if you really want to actually catch winter fish, once you get the interchangeable tip, promptly put the floating tip on and forget where you put the sink-tips. :wink: Get a 10' leader tapered down to 10 lbs., a fly box full of weighted eggs and leeches, and a big ol' package of large strike indicators--the Large Sierra Tipper Twist-on's work great for getting started. Match the depth of your fly to the depth of the water--like jig fishing--and you're set. Then, to get started, just act like you're nymphing big water for BIG trout. Works better than you can possibly imagine. :grin:

Good luck!

[ 12-31-2001: Message edited by: Bubzilla ]

[ 12-31-2001: Message edited by: Bubzilla ]</p>

[FlyChucker]

Hi Mo,

You can tell already there are many different ideas on interchangeable tips and methods of fishing. I've always used the do-it-your-self method of interchangeable tips but you need some flytying tools and experience to do it. So it is best consult with someone who has done this before.

Just to give you a rough idea of the process cut your fly line where the running line begins to taper out. Maybe 15' from the end where you'd tie the leader on. Take the end of the running line and dip about two inches into fingernail polish remover to soften the outer PVC material. With your thumb nail strip the PVC coating off the braided material in the center. Similar to striping the plastic off copper wire. This is where the flytying skills come in, double the braided material over to the end of the PVC material. Using your bobbin and thread, tie together to form a loop and coat with head cement. Now repeat process on the DTed end that you cut off and all sink tips that you buy.

On the fishing side of things, I agree with Bub mostly. We'll use the weighted leeches with 10ft of 8 or 10 lbs leader (no taper). We'll cast slightly down stream and let fly swing through slow deep water. This is similar to a bobber and jig setup. Only your flyline is suspending the fly and not the bobber. Sink tips tend to hang up on boulders.

We'll use Bub's method in the spring and fish the edges when the water is faster.

Just like gear fishing, don't get stuck on one method. Be versatle and catch more fish.

Mike

[moman]

Thanks guys, as much info as I could have hoped for, heck more, see ya out there. S

[SSPey]

The interchangeable tip lines are for real. I purchased one once (in a rush), but mostly make my own as described above, and have them in line weights 5 through 9, plus for spey lines. I usually carry a full floating line with the interchangeable tip line on a spare spool. I have them separated this way because I use a floating line 90% of the time (indicator aka bobber method for steelhead) and prefer a one piece line without any loops. I think it is funny that many folks are rediscovering bobbers and jigs, yet also insist that fly fishing is a difficult way to catch steelhead.... oh well, the jig is up!

All the lines I've seen and/or tried by Rio, SA, Cortland, and Airflo are just fine. While I think that the Cabela's version is made well, the mainline uses a too-soft material that casts poorly, so I'd stay away from - but that's just my oniony opinion. I think that Orvis has their multi tip line on sale on their website, but don't worry - no one can tell onstream that your line came packaged from Orvis, and their lines have always been top notch.

also, I've found that posting about fly fishing is always welcome here, despite the occasional jabs and punches that come our way. But since much of what you learn from internet BB's is done just by reading what others have written, you may want to also cruise the posts at www.flyshop.com (http://www.flyshop.com) and www.westfly.com (http://www.westfly.com) - stuff about the coast pops up there from time to time. good luck!

[GBSkunk]

You'll also find a lot of good fly fishing info at www.flyfishusa.com (http://www.flyfishusa.com) and www.flyfishsteelhead.com (http://www.flyfishsteelhead.com) Welcome!