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knots
Sept 14, 2013 20:21:02 GMT -5
Post by joemecca on Sept 14, 2013 20:21:02 GMT -5
being new to two handers, i was out flogging the water in an attempt to practice my skagit casting to prepare myself for the upcoming season. i broke off three flies while casting. all three times the tippet snapped at the knot for the loop connecting it to the leader. I was using 8lb fluoro for tippet. is this too light for chuckin the big flies or were my knots to blame? if its the knots can you guys recommend a more resilient knot?
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knots
Sept 15, 2013 7:45:02 GMT -5
Post by Nick Pionessa on Sept 15, 2013 7:45:02 GMT -5
too light of tippet and too much speed/power in the cast. slow way down on your stroke. the only part that is faster is the end of the forward stroke. the forward stroke should start off slow and increase in speed to a positive stop. everything else is s l o w. also make sure your anchor is staying on the water. too much speed causes the anchor to pull off the water and sometimes that abrupt increase in speed snaps off the fly.
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knots
Sept 15, 2013 19:54:35 GMT -5
Post by SteveKowalski on Sept 15, 2013 19:54:35 GMT -5
Big flys hook big fish - 12 lb. floro (or) a lot of guys use 15 skagiting even smaller flys I use, maybe 6 ft. of 10lb. put away the 8lb unless you're skating drys or something equally light. fly knots: improved clinch or non-slip loop (for me) and Joe, Whats with the hardhat and the steel in your av.?
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knots
Sept 15, 2013 19:58:37 GMT -5
Post by SteveKowalski on Sept 15, 2013 19:58:37 GMT -5
combat fishing?
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knots
Sept 15, 2013 22:48:02 GMT -5
Post by joemecca on Sept 15, 2013 22:48:02 GMT -5
thanks guys. i suspected it was the light tippet and my over zealous effort to throw big flies without getting the technique down first. next time i'll practice with buggers! steve- i always wear a hard hat while fishing will all the egg sinkers flying around on the tribs! its a wild snake river system chinook. i spent a summer out there tracking fish for an internship. this was a day i spent watching a crew trap, anesthetize and tag salmon and steelhead on the ice harbor dam. we had to wear hard hats even though there was no overhead hazards. here's a blown up version of my av pic.
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knots
Sept 16, 2013 8:29:58 GMT -5
Post by SteveKowalski on Sept 16, 2013 8:29:58 GMT -5
Nice Native!
I had a feeling it was fisheries work (or by the damn at Oak) - mostly wondering where you were.
Yeah Tippet... 10 lb Maxima is thick but awesome stuff, I like floro in 1x or 2x (10 pound-ish) when it's really clear. If you are swinging, the fish see the fly first, not the leader.
and your only swingin' with a chance of catchin', NOT NewSchoolNymphin you don't need 8#
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knots
Oct 7, 2013 12:38:00 GMT -5
Post by Frank Swarner on Oct 7, 2013 12:38:00 GMT -5
For fluoro I have been sticking with the pitzen knot also known as a 16/20 knot. I also use it alot with regular mono when swinging. It's a very strong knot and I like how it "clicks" when it is tied properly. The "click" means it is seated and you don't have to keep pulling on the line.
This part isn't traditional by any means, but I tie a micro swivel at the end of my sinktips so I stay away from loop knots.
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Post by Justin Damude on Oct 9, 2013 13:35:48 GMT -5
and your only swingin' with a chance of catchin', NOT NewSchoolNymphin you don't need 8# Hmmmmmmmmmm I guess refer to my avatar
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knots
Oct 9, 2013 21:43:26 GMT -5
Post by larryhalyk on Oct 9, 2013 21:43:26 GMT -5
Nick is right that the two main causes are likely casting technique & tippet, though I would say it's probably more of the former than the latter. I used to break off a lot of flies in my early spey casting days while I was "chopping wood". Slow down, relax and let the rod do the work.
Regarding tippets, I hardly ever stray from 12# Maxima Ultra Green even when the water is gin clear, which it can often get on my home river. I will sometimes step up to 15# Maxima when there is less than 2.5 ft of vis and have actually not noticed any difference when I have lost my 12# spool and use it in clear water too.
Larry
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knots
Oct 10, 2013 7:46:40 GMT -5
Post by joemecca on Oct 10, 2013 7:46:40 GMT -5
thanks. yea nick was spot on with what he said i needed to do. the last two times i've been out my casting has made it almost seem like i know what im doing.
now i just need a damn steelhead to eat my flies
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