Use a Longer Tippet
Fly fishing is a passion where continuous learning is inevitable. Each day presents an opportunity to learn something new, which is one of the reasons I fell in love with it.
This summer has been no different. I’ve explored new rivers and met experienced anglers kind enough to share their knowledge. One thing I’ve learned this summer is the importance of a long tippet when technical dry fly fishing.
I have been fishing many technical fisheries that harbor spooky trout this season. These fish can be difficult to fool, and I have spooked many when attempting to catch them on the dry fly.
There are two primary reasons I spook trout and fail in technical dry fly scenarios. The number one reason is my presence. The fish either see, hear, or detect my presence when I get into position to make a cast. The second reason is my line or leader end up spooking the fish. Whether the line lands too close to the fish or they see it floating over them, it causes many fish to stop feeding. This is where a long tippet is handy and has increased my success in these technical dry fly fishing scenarios.
A longer tippet section has many benefits when technical dry fly fishing. First, a trout is less likely to see your thin tippet compared to your thick leader. Adding extra tippet allows you to land tippet over the fish rather than your leader or fly line, which is often more visible to the trout. It increases the distance between your fly and fly line, which decreases the chance of the fish spooking because of your fly line.
A more natural drift is another benefit of a longer tippet section. With more tippet, there is extra slack when conflicting currents drag your leader, allowing the fly to float naturally, even if only for a few seconds longer. Many dry fly anglers stack the tippet by the fly to get a long drift. The tippet straightens as the current drags your leader, keeping your fly in a natural drift.
Another benefit of a long tippet section is how soft the fly lands on the surface. Many dry fly scenarios take place on calm, flat water. Flies and leaders that create a disturbance when landing on the waters surface often spook fish. A longer leader usually lands softly on the surface, which is critical to a delicate presentation and allows the fly to land without sinking.
I’ve spent the last few seasons fishing 1 to 3-foot tippet sections. Don’t get me wrong; I still have success with these leaders. In some fisheries or hatches, a shorter tippet is the preferred setup. This summer, I have been lengthening my tippet sections after fishing a few of the most technical fisheries in the region, often doing 3 to 5-foot tippet sections if needed. The extra length has been a game changer in my success rates in fooling fish. Now, if I could only land a fish on these thin tippets and light hooks.
My dry fly leaders (including the tippet) are rarely shorter than 10 feet long, often closer to 12 feet on many regional fisheries. Only on a few fisheries have I used 15-foot leaders. An easy way to measure your leader’s length is by holding it against your rod. With practice, you learn how long of a leader and tippet you need for different scenarios.
Many anglers overlook the importance of a long leader when dry fly fishing, prioritizing fly selection over tippet and leader design. Now that I have seen the difference a long leader can make in dry fly fishing, it is often the first change I make when having trouble fooling fish. Before changing flies, I prefer to lengthen my leader with tippet to ensure I am limiting the drag on my fly.
Combine a longer tippet with a stealthy approach, accurate cast, and the proper fly, and you may be able to catch those picky fish that have challenged you for years. Though there is no guarantee, some fish are tough no matter your skill level. Give an extra few feet of tippet a try, and let me know how you do.
I hope this helps,
Nick
2 thoughts on “Use a Longer Tippet – Dry Fly Fishing Tip”
Good stuff. Hard lesson I’m currently learning, but a fun one 🤠
Thanks for reading Benjamin! Let me know how it goes and if you have any further questions!
Keep fishing 🙂
Nick
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