[Midgeaholic]

The flies I use on the San Juan are Very Small 22-32. I really am partial to froghair leaders which seem to have a slight edge over other brands( maybe psychological). However, froghair is expensive and a good compromise on this is using Rio leaders and using froghair as tippet. as simple as this sounds, I get asked this question(Why the froghair tippet?) all the time. I always answer: Expense and effectiveness. Another feature is that 12-15"s 7x or 8x froghair delivers those tiny midges(dry) accurately and very softly. midgeaholic

[Frank Whiton]

Hi Midgeaholic,

I also like the Frog Hair leaders and tippet material. Your idea of using a cheaper leader with the Frog Hair tippet sounds like a good idea.

When I am lucky enough to get out West to fish I don't worry about the extra cost of the Frog Hair leader. I don't get wind knots much these days so a Frog Hair leader will last for quite some time. Now if you are talking a full fluro leader then that is expensive. I have never fished with a full fluro leader, I just use a fluro tippet.

Frank

[sandfly]

If you want something smaller get some Varivas in 9, 10,11,12x tippet great for midges...those fish won't know what hit them...

[Fish Bones]

Many times on the San Juan and other rivers with leader shy fish or when fishing a midge... I've used 4x or 5x Cortland Fairplay Leaders (less than $2ea) with a section of 6x or 7x Frog Hair, Rio or a fluorocarbon tippet. It works great and saves a few bucks also.

[BigCliff]

IMHO, Anything lighter than 7x is ridiculous, and a great way to kill fish by fighting them too long.

I like froghair as well, because it seems to be the most supple, and has a little more stretch to prevent break-offs.

[Frank Whiton]

Hi to all,

I think Cliff is dead on target about the super light tippets. If you are catching anything on a 12X tippet it must be a mighty small trout. I never carry anything lighter than 7X. Not to say you can't catch a trout on a 12X tippet it is just so hard on the fish.

Frank

[jimw]

Can someone explain the 4x,5x,7x being a salt water guy that has never fished for fresh water trout (but want to some day) most my tippets are 12# test or larger. i don't understand the x rating thing. You guys are using some really small flys too in salt the average size is probally between a size2 and 2/0. the only trout fishing in Delaware are stocked and very small, but i can be in western MD. or PA. in a few hours drive. Saltwater flyfishing seems to be more about distance than finese,big rods, big flys and big waves.
Jim

[sandfly]

the 12x is rated at 1.8lb's sorry guys its the same pounds for other tippet just thinner in dia..caught up to 24" browns on it..look up info on the little lehigh, in Pa..a few guys have caught fish larger on it...


if you look up x rating its the way they extrude gut in the old days..after 0x it changes to fractions then..Now you can either go by the x ratings or decimal rating (6x=.005)(40lb=.023)(7x=.004)each manufacturer can have different diameter lines..Frog hair is some of the thinnest around..

[sandfly]

VTM-308 8X - .0038" Diameter - 2.05lb. 30 Meters
VTM-309 9X - .0034" Diameter - 1.66lb. 30 Meters
VTM-310 10X - .0030" Diameter - 1.37lb. 30 Meters
VTM-311 11X - .0028" Diameter - 1.17lb. 30 Meters
VTM-312 12X - .0026" Diameter - 1.06lb. 30 Meters


Frog Hair Copolymer Tippet Material, 30 Meters 6X
3.7 lb. test
90007 Frog Hair Copolymer Tippet Material, 30 Meters 7X
2.8 lb. test

Also frog hair is considered a type of fluro...

[Fish Bones]

Lefty Kreh's explanation is as follows...

X, designates the tippet’s strength. Since nylon can frequently be of slightly different strengths for the same diameter, X is a little nebulous; however, if you want to know the approximate strength of a tippet, subtract the X number from 9 to get the strength of the tippet. For example, a 5X leader subtracted from 9 means about 4 pounds test, and a 2X tippet subtracted from 9 means a tippet strength of approximately 7 pounds.

Diameter, for correct diameter of an X designation, use a micrometer to measure the section of leader and subtract the X from .011. For example, a 5X leader subtracted from .011 should measure approximately .006. A 3X leader subtracted from .011 means that a 3X leader should have an approximate diameter of .008.