How to Tie Tippets

Tippets are used to achieve a nearly drag-free drift with dry flies. Tippets are tied between the leader and the fly. This extra line allows the dry fly to drift downstream without spooking a fish. Leaders are much like tippets, but are generally thicker in diameter. Leaders are almost always used on the fly-line. A tippet is added when dealing with easily spooked fish.

Instructions

    • 1

      Bring the end of the tippet to the end of the leader. Place the two lines together and even out the ends. Move down 3 inches and make a loop. The result is a loop on both ends of the tippet and leader, side by side.

    • 2

      Bring the working end of the tippet and leader up and around, making an enclosed loop. Pinch the bottom of the loop. This helps keep the knot together.

    • 3

      Wrap the working end or the tippet up and around the inner portion of the enclosed loop. Make another coil above the first.

    • 4

      Dip the knot in water, and pull tight on both ends of the knot. This lubricates and tightens the knot.

    • 5

      Attach your fly to the end of the tippet using a clinch knot (see Resources). Thread the tippet end through the fly's eye. Wrap the working end around the main tippet line five or six times; bring the end back and through the wraps. Pull the knot tight. Dip it in water to lubricate, and pull again.