Fips-Mouche Rules detailed...

[Chris Smorul]

28.6. All flies must be attached to the leader in such a way that neither they nor their droppers move or slide along the leader material.

I understand this to mean that dropper rollers and clinch knots would be illegal.  However, would attaching a drooper line to a small loop in the line  be ok?

[Dejon Hamann]

[quote28.6.] All flies must be attached to the leader in such a way that neither they nor their droppers move or slide along the leader material.

I understand this to mean that dropper rollers and clinch knots would be illegal.  However, would attaching a drooper line to a small loop in the line  be ok?

Nope.  No loops in your leader except one at the flyline/leader connection.  

[Todd Oishi]

Just to clarify.... It is strictly forbidden to use no loops ANYWHERE within your leader or leader material. The only loop that is allowed is at the end of the fly line itself - not on the actual leader...

Here's the article regarding leaders, in FIPS-MOUCHE'S official rules:
Article 27.2. Leaders may be knotted or knotless, and continuously tapered down or level. A single loop may only be used to connect a leader to a fly line.

Article 28.6. All flies must be attached to the leader in such a way that neither they nor their droppers move or slide along the leader material.

Hope this helps...

[Chris Smith]

Todd,

Does this mean you can have a loop at the end of your fly line, but you must tie onto that loop via a knot?  In other words, no loop to loop?

If so, I've broken that rule a few times.  I think most of the guys I know have...

[Todd Oishi]

Todd,

Does this mean you can have a loop at the end of your fly line, but you must tie onto that loop via a knot?  In other words, no loop to loop?

If so, I've broken that rule a few times.  I think most of the guys I know have...

[Nick Naclerio]

I actually prefer to use a clinch knot to the loop on the end of my fly line. I think it just makes for a smaller connection.

[Jeremiah Hamilton]

I actually prefer to use a clinch knot to the loop on the end of my fly line. I think it just makes for a smaller connection.

I must agree It goes though the guides better as well, and makes it easier on lake portion of competition to change your lines.

[Todd Oishi]

Dejon, given the importance of this subject; perhaps it might be beneficial to competitors, to split this thread for future reference on the legalities of leader setups...

[Chris Smorul]

Just to clarify.... It is strictly forbidden to use no loops ANYWHERE within your leader or leader material. The only loop that is allowed is at the end of the fly line itself - not on the actual leader...

Here's the article regarding leaders, in FIPS-MOUCHE'S official rules:
Article 27.2. Leaders may be knotted or knotless, and continuously tapered down or level. A single loop may only be used to connect a leader to a fly line.

Article 28.6. All flies must be attached to the leader in such a way that neither they nor their droppers move or slide along the leader material.

Hope this helps...

What kind of knot would you recommend for attaching sighters?  I would imaging a nail knot for a dacron sighter and a blood knot for a coiled mono sighter.  Am I on track?

[Todd Oishi]

I personally prefer to use a blood knot. I should also add that Dacron sighters were banned at Finland's WFFCs...

[Todd Oishi]

I personally use a double or triple surgeon knot to attach the dropper tag to the leader. It's fast, dependable and does the job rather nicely!

[Chris Smorul]

I also use a triple surgeon for that purpose.  Do you anticipate North America banning the dacron sighters as well?

[Dejon Hamann]

Just to clarify.... It is strictly forbidden to use no loops ANYWHERE within your leader or leader material. The only loop that is allowed is at the end of the fly line itself - not on the actual leader...

Here's the article regarding leaders, in FIPS-MOUCHE'S official rules:
Article 27.2. Leaders may be knotted or knotless, and continuously tapered down or level. A single loop may only be used to connect a leader to a fly line.

Article 28.6. All flies must be attached to the leader in such a way that neither they nor their droppers move or slide along the leader material.

Hope this helps...

Just to verify.  This is definitely an important new rule to abide by!!!!  You can only have 1 loop in your rig at the junction of your leader and fly line.  YOu can no longer connect "loop to loop".  But as many people have noted here a clinch knot to your line loop is much cleaner and just as simple.

Todd, not that it really matters because why would you do this, but I wsn't sure that was defining the loop as "only" being on the end of your fly line... seems like the single loop could be on the leader side.  Of course, I can't see many advantages or applications for this especially with the "continuously tapering leader" law.

IMO, they have instituted this law to stop the use of "dropper loops".

[Dejon Hamann]

I also use a triple surgeon for that purpose.  Do you anticipate North America banning the dacron sighters as well?

Chirs, I'd throw the dacron out and start practicing exclusively with colored mono/floro.

I like an orvis knot for my droppers.  Flawless.  And I exclusively use a modified Davy Wotton leader knot for my sighter which is super simple: a clinch above and overhand knot.  Also, if you're not using the Wotton knot for tying on your flies you are selling yourself short.

[Chris Smorul]

I use an improved clinch knot to tie on my flies.  It hasn't let me down yet.

[Dejon Hamann]

I use an improved clinch knot to tie on my flies.  It hasn't let me down yet.

I used the improved clinch probably for 20 straight years!  Took me 2 weeks to drop the "improved" at Loren Williams advice.  Took me 2 days to switch over to a "Davy Knot" once I sat down and actually learned it.

You'll save precious seconds and minutes using this knot over a 3hr beat let alone having a much smaller profile than other knots.  Just do it:) It's worth it.

[Chris Smorul]

The improved does leave a wad of line on the hook.  I'll take your advice and try the Davy.

[Todd Oishi]

...Do you anticipate North America banning the dacron sighters as well?

[Chris Smorul]

Well, looks like I have to retool.  I really have a problem seeing mono coiled sighters.  I guess I'll be doing a lot of squinting....lol

[Todd Oishi]

I share your grief as well Chris! Perhaps you might want to try experimenting with the colour and shade of your lenses...

[Mark Hanes]

Good point about only using Comp techniques.  Even if the fishing is tuff you really can't get any better unless you figure it out using Legal techniques.  You can't crack the code in a competition using non comp legal tactics during a competition so why use it when you are fishing in day to day scenarios it will only handicap you.

[Todd Oishi]

My point exactly Mark!

Cheers,
Todd