Pond Boss Forums FISH & FISHING Fly Fishing & Other Fish Species Umm thinking hard about this

There are reasons why one would shy away from loop to loop on tippets/leader connections, but that's mainly for moving water. Rivers and streams. Ponds and lakes no biggie.

As far as purists go, I don't know any. And I know alot of fly fisherman. I spend probably 80-100 days a year fly fishing. Almost all of them have been very helpful and friendly. I've met many on the rivers over the years. I think it's mostly a negative stereotype. All it takes is one bad apple to ruin the bushel.

Dirk, I am really glad that you joined PondBoss, not just for the fly fishing part, but your knowledge of fish and fishing will be a real asset - and good folks to be associated with.

I also cringe at the word “purist/elitist” but the movie “A River Runs Through It did more to bring folks into fly fishing but also drug a few fly fishing snobs along.

I also fished many 100 days a year for many years, but old bones took me to ponds and private waters - yeah I’m old - bought my first fly rod in 1951 - a bamboo SouthBend.

We have had “our” ponds now for over ten years and have only used conventional gear a couple of time to cull come bass.

Most fly fishermen don’t realize that pre WWII small spoons and spinners were often used by fly fishermen - when spin tackle came along the light weight spinners and spoons could be cast on spin tackle.

Back to “purists”- fly fishermen on Pond Boss are really snobs - we use flies with spinners - “panty hose” pellet flies - Stubby Steves and one of our famous members even uses earth worm - Shame - Shame...

The Pond Fly Fishing topic has just been recently added to the forum. Interest cooled down over the winter but is picking up steam recently and hopefully becomes more popular - some folks just don’t get it.. ..ponds and fly-fishing are made for each other.

Again - welcome to Pond Boss.
George Glazener

I didn't mean my comment as an insult to anybody, but can see how it could come across that way.

It's the Peroni, Sunil.
No one would give it a second thought if you were a Bud Light man.

Good discussion of leaders and tippets!
One thing not mentioned are furled leaders which I now use exclusively for LMB, HSB and salt water species - they are tapered with loops on each end, made of mono of fluorocarbon for float ot sink.
http://www.robinscustomleadersandflies.com/leaderpage.htm

As Kirk mentioned, newer fly lines have built in loops, but for years I made my own “double catch” braided mono loops.
It’s loop to loop for every thing for me these days, as mentioned in prior discussion. The only mono tapered leaders I have used in the past are for destination trips for tarpon or trout.
Like many others, I use loop to loop straight mono for smaller species.

Robin is good friend that makes furled leaders for me - no memory and perfect roll out.
G/

Nah, Sunil is just a flat out meanie

My own version of "A Peroni Runs Through It."

Peronis don't run. They perambulate.

George showed me the straight mono tippet deal early on, and that's all I do too. A spool or two of mono and fluro gives me easy to change options, and it's far cheaper than buying prepackaged tipets.

I also often use tippet tied directly to the furled leader like George mentions. However, in defense of tapered leaders - their upper section is stiffer, heavier mono and it helps your fly lay out gently and consistently. If you don't change flies often, can tie knots with very little waste, and don't get hung up often, one can fish a tapered leader for a long time and in my experience it helps with smooth presentation. However, if you have a penchant for tying new flies often thinking it will stimulate a bite[like me], sometimes wasteful knots[like me], and get hung up in trees on your back cast from time to time [like me], direct tippet to leader is a lot easier and more efficient!

Yep T.J. - tapered store bought leaders are the way to go - and they will come that way if advice is followed to buy a basic starter kit with fly rod, reel, backing, fly line and a tapered leader.

If you are a DIY guy and want a stiffer butt section there are all kinds of formulas on the internet to make your own.
Before I switched to furled leaders, I made my own leader/tippets using Hard Mason Nylon leader material for stiffer butt section to help turn over the fly.
Have fun,
George

Hey guys thanks again. Sorry I been on Vacation in Wisconsin. I am back now and looking forward to going to BPS and getting a setup. Thanks for all the great info. I will keep you all posted as to what I get!

RC