These are also known as micro-rings because they are indeed micro. They’re called tippet rings because they are attached to the end of the leader body (butt section plus tapered section) as an attachment point for the tippet. OK, how micro is micro? Well, they come in 2 mm and 3 mm sizes (that’s about [...]

My great friend, maniac fishing companion, composer, luthier, guitar player, and etc. has been making knives for many years, but has never had the opportunity to delve into it as more than a very part-time hobby. He is now making custom knives in a serious way. When I say serious, I don’t mean that John [...]

The Surgeon’s knot is one of the “must know” knots for the fly fisher, It is immensely useful; so useful that it is used on every trip and usually several times a day on every trip. See the page showing the detail for tying the Surgeon’s Knot  using the rope kits–which also see.

In several instances at the shows this year, I’ve mentioned the use of rope kits to help learn knots faster and easier. And every time, people have asked me where to get them or how to make them, etc. They’re easy to make, either singly or en masse. I’ve put up a page to show [...]

How does one know when a leader needs to be changed. In the lion pack, it’s when the old boy can no longer defend himself. In humans it’s usually when the company is failing or the party in power changes. But in fly fishing, it’s when the mono looses it elasticity. Mono has a bit [...]

Tying the Nailess Nail Knot every time one needs or wants to change a leader is a real pain in the back side. In addition it requires that the line be trimmed back an inch or two with each change, This is good for line manufacturers because one would need to buy new lines on [...]

I started the day at 8 am by presenting a Bible Study on The Covenant Agreements to those exhibitors that wanted to attend. It was a great time. At 1 pm I gave a talk on “Really Matching the Hatch,” and finished the day with a demo on “Advanced Casting” at 3:15 pm. During the [...]

I left home yesterday, but got grounded in Minneapolis by a heavy snow storm. After a night in a local hotel, I continued on to Denver early this morning, getting here at the Merchandise Mart an hour before my first presentation on Fly Tying. This was immediately followed by a program on Nymphing. An hour [...]

Hey! Want a really great T like the one I’m wearing? Well, get on over to Fish, Flies & Water (Jason’ Blog) and order one today. This cotton poly blend feels like silk. I know fish will like me bettter now that I’m wearing this–I’m not promising that you’ll catch more fish, but you certainly [...]

Sounds a bit like an oxymoron, but it’s so easy and so fast to tie, that even oxen can do it. The nail knot has been around for a long, long time, and it’s a really great way to attach the leader to the fly line. I actually attach a 12—15 inch piece of leader [...]

The construction of fly lines took a huge leap forward when shortly after the second world war, manufacturers began to build lines with a level braided nylon core coated with plastic. The taper in the line is built into the coating, not into the core. With this technique, lines could be made that floated better [...]

When I started fly fishing in 1955, fly lines were designated with a lettering system, beginning at A and running through I. The letter designation specified a diameter, with “A” being the largest diameter and “I” the smallest. This brought line designations up to par with leader “X” designations, each “X” representing a diameter (for [...]

I occasionally get questions on old line designations, so in this post I want to discuss the old, old system of line sizing. Originally, silk lines were not designed by the weight standards that are in play today. Rather they were designated by a simple numbering system, 1, 2, 3, etc. Later the numbering system [...]

The Blood Knot is an excellent way to connect two pieces of monofilament. It’s thin in diameter and very clean (no protruding bits to catch weeds or other obstructions). Back in the days of gut leaders it was the knot of choice. When nylon appeared, the Blood Knot hung on, but with the same restriction [...]