I ran out of 6X tippet on Friday.
I’ve always been a Rio Powerflex guy. Sure, I’ve tried other brands, but I always tend to come back to Powerflex, which in my opinion provides a great balance between performance and affordability.
However, possessing an uncontrollable wandering eye when it comes to new gear, I tossed the following question out on Facebook last night,
“Need to replenish my 6X tippet supply. Usually a RIO PRODUCTS Powerflex guy. Thinking of trying a new flavor, any suggestions?”
Will be honest, wasn’t expecting the overwhelming support for TroutHunter tippet.
Click HERE to read all comments.
A few other surprise brands were mentioned as well…Stroft & Varivas to name two.
So….what type of tippet do you use/recommend?
Feel free to comment below. I find informal surveys like this far more interesting than I should…plus it could make for good conversation.
I don't know anything about tippet. But, I know for a fact that line matters. So, I assume tippet matters too.
I refuse to insult people who take tippet seriously by saying it doesn't matter.
climax or Umpqua, tippet has always been important in the trout game, but not sure it matters too much with some steelhead and most salmon, in those times its trilene right off the spool-
Orvis Mirage Fluorocarbon is my tippet of choice, but Orvis Super Strong has served me well and is reasonably priced.
I try to use Fluorocarbon when I can, but being a novice when I got my first spools, I still have 5 of the 6 original spools and I think they are Prestige from Cabela's.
It very well may…
I'm glad you refused. That could have been ugly.
I've done the same for larger fish…gotta use that Trilene for something.
I found a few spools of that streamside once that someone left behind. I like it.
Hey, if in a pinch…at least you've got something in the bullpen.
I've tried other brands but seem to always come back to RIO. Wish they would make the spools a little smaller though.
Mirage. I've had “snappier” tippets like Sci. Angler's… a problem when fishing for bass within the same zip code as lily pads.
I would venture to say that the very-public tippet contest last year that was in every fly-fishing e-mag has to do with the popularity of TroutHunter. They were rated at the top, but when you really look at the numbers you are talking such a small difference in strength-to-diameter ratio that the contest was a wash. But it also allowed trouthunter to start putting that in their advertising. Most “new-age” and “amateur” flyfisherman (and women) are suckers for this new advertising in This is Fly and all of the other “hipsterish” fly fishing mags. I'm not saying that's bad, but it's the truth. Any name brand tippet, that hasn't been damaged by the sun and other elements, is good. I love the new scientific angler spool. It's great. I like the smaller spool of frog hair. I like RIO tippet. They are all good. With good knots (key) you shouldn't even be able to tell the difference between tippet manufacturer besides the convenience of their spool. Almost all of my friends (that guide some of the best waters in the rockies) don't even use tippet. They use large spools of fluoro or regular nylon line. I know some guys that buy huge spools of 4 lb. test and primarily use that unless they're throwing dries. And they are obviously putting their clients on fish consistently and not losing fish.
Rio makes a solid product, no doubt about it.
I could see that. No lily pads for me.
Thanks for the opinion. I like opinionated comments.
Like you, I've been a RIO guy for awhile. I've tried a few others and always find my way back to RIO. I will say that I steer clear of Orvis tippet, have not had success with any of their tippet product.
Good to know. My only experience with Orvis it Mirage Fluoro. Not bad, but I don't see myself buying it on a regular basis.
I've always been a Rio user, but after reading that “tippet shootout”, I thought I would try some Trouthunter 5x. The initial cost seems expensive, but it does contain more line than the Rio spools. And I like the picture on the label. That sells it for me.