that is the first time I've ever been called "brilliant"!!1Thank you Robin...I am cheep JB; everybody knows that. But I just can't see buying a spool of $10 backing to put on a reel to catch brim; just a waste. But, sometimes I use this stuff as backing; its pretty cheap-p-
http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/net-making-material/971100.aspx

Robert Heinlein wrote a short story entitled "The Tale of the Man Who Was Too Lazy to Fail" I recommend it.

Go here and Ctrl+F to search for the title. Otherwise it's a long slow scroll.

Hey guys , please don't hijack my thread and leave the bad language thoughts out of the conversation . There is no reason for any name calling . I'm trying to learn some honest information here so please keep it cool and on the main topic of the OP which is about fly and leader tying.

Sorry Ron. We can get rowdy.

Ok thanks rrhyne56 , I'm new to the forum and it's taking a long time to get caught up on a lot of good info . Hard for me to read the forum , so many avatars and pictures in the signatures it makes it hard to read what the poster is saying . But I'm really enjoying it . Got a few yrs til retirement and have had some physical issues in the past so just trying to live life a little better .

Besides fishing , laughter is the best medicine

Ron; sorry we hijacked your thread but it is all in fun; there's some good information hidden in the seams. They all call me names; and I deserve all they can think up!!!!!!!-p-

Ron, leader to fly line I use a nailknot to attach 30lb short piece of mono at the end of which I make a loop. Make loop on the thick end of the leader for a loop to loop connection of line to leader. I do the same loop to loop for the tippet. Tippet to fly, Davy knot, Orvis knot or mono loop. Your leader can be a straight piece of mono if fishing for bass or Brim.

My apologies, Ron.
Most of us have known each other for a few years, and we act like it. It is rare that we get upset with each other on the boards.

As far as connections, I use the Arbor knot to connect the backing to the spool. The backing is connected to the fly line with a loop to loop (sometimes called a "Handshake knot"). I put a whipped loop in both ends of my fly line to make it easy on myself. I use tapered leaders most of the time, because I like them, and will tie a perfection loop in the butt end. Most of the leaders I have taper down to 4x, and I will tie my flies directly onto the leader with a Duncan loop. When the leader taper gets too big to tie to easily, I will replace the part I have cut off with about 18 inches 4x or 5x tippet material with a Double Surgeons knot. Occasionally, I will have cut too much of the leader off, and will have to add a piece of 3x about 18 inches long before I tie on the 4x. Most of the literature I have read says to not connect tippet materials more than 2 "X" sizes apart. It has more to do with turning over the fly than with strength.

Last time I was fishing, I kept breaking my tippet when I would snug everything down and test the knot. I puller a 2 foot piece of the tippet material off of the spool and tested it between my hands. Turns out my 2 and a half year old tippet had gone bad. I had to replace it.

All of the above is my experience and preferences. It isn't right or wrong, it is just the way I have gotten used to doing things.

Good luck in your own journey.

Kirk

Pearow sales flies and good ones. Check the classifieds. Hijacking threads is so common here you might be the first to complain.

Where in West Texas are you located?

Linecaster : Your right laughing is the best medicine . Thanks for your input info . That's a lot but I'm sure since you have done it many times probably that it takes you no time at all .

Pearow : Ok I gotcha , bunch of your friends that caught me off guard . I'll be on the watchout next time .

Crazy4oldcars : Thanks for your info input . I really should have known better but since I'm new here I don't know who knows who but I have seen where some really think their equip is better than anything else but who am I to say when I really can't afford what they paided for they're rigs . I'm an old country boy been in the city too long but back when I was young all I needed was a Zebco 33 , good rod , fish chain , bait , lures (mostly black&yellow H&Hs' , and a way to get to a fishing hole even if I had to walk a couple miles . Me and my best friend bought some cheap flyrods and a few poppers and we caught a lot of bass ! People thought we were crazy but they sure liked our bass ! This was back from 66' - 71' before I went in the service . Lived in Winnsboro and fish lake Winnsboro and any pond in a 50 mile radius I could find included creeks . Had fun too !

Trapperben : Thanks for the info , i'll check out the classifieds too . I was really skeptical about complaining but when I saw Pearows' reply I thought "I need to help that guy !" But now I know he can take care of himself ! BTW I'm from Midland Odessa area . Out west where the oil business has ruined west texas .

Thanks again everyone for all the replies and good info input !

Ron- ole pearow is from the lake Winnsboro area-p-

Oh wow , I got two brothers living there now , Carl and Tommy . My best friend I ran around with was Noel Jackson but I think he lives down around Carthage now . I been out here since 75' right after I got out of the service . How long you been in Winnsboro ?

The perfection loop works for me when connecting fly line to leader. I use regular fishing line and make my own leaders. It's quicker to change than messing with tippet which is overpriced. The double surgeons knot is also one I use on my saltwater rig. These knots are quick and easy.