Author Topic: Which tag to use (Read 1136 times)

Steven Good · « **on:** October 05, 2011, 10:07:11 AM »

Hi Everyone,

I started this topic under wet flies however my question pertains to both nymph and wet fly fishing.

I have always used the longest tag when tying on my upper fly and never paid much attention until it came up during a conversation at the A Cup: based on the conversation it wasdetermined that the it is best to use the lower tag or the tag from the tippet you are attaching. I started using that method and I didn't seem to have any problem other then on a snag I seemed to lose both flies, If I used the top tag I would only lose the bottom fly most of the time.

Regarding wet fly fishing: several of the books recommend using the top tag and others recommend the bottom.

Does it make a difference, does one method give better strike detection or in my case save a fly. I use a triple surgeon knot to attach my tippit. I know there is a lot of opinions out there based on my research.

Thanks

Steve

Chris Puchniak · « **Reply #1 on:** October 05, 2011, 12:25:40 PM »

Best way I've found (and the standard rule I think) is to use the tag end pointing towards the end of your leader (to the point fly). It is the strongest tag to use for when a fish/snag is pulling on it, as it is pulling 'with' the knot, not against it. So it will hold better.

This is technically the lower tag, the tag pinting TOWARDS the point fly, NOT towards the Fly Line.

Jim Frazier · « **Reply #2 on:** October 05, 2011, 08:36:03 PM »

tying off the bottom tag would make you lose that fly in theory if you are tripple surgeoning (if thats a word

) onto a tippet that is alot stronger than your "end" tippet , i always use the top tag for this reason and tie an over hand knot to make it stand out better off the main tippet. as far as where to put which fly i guess it depends on where in the colum a fish is feeding. If they are feeding high in the column then i would lengthen the top tag and put on a soft hackle of some sort but thats just me and i am not a comp. fisherman so take it for what its worth. sometimes it is best to use one fly too so it all varies according to conditions and there is probably no wrong way. with a lighter point fly u can shock more slack in your tippet creating a longer drag free drift for highly pressured fish that are feeding most of the time on small stuff. others may disagree

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #3 on:** October 05, 2011, 10:08:56 PM »

I've gone back and forth over the years but primarily use the down tag, but absolutely in any "pulling" situation such as almost any lake cast, wet flies, and obviously streamers.

Chris Puchniak · « **Reply #4 on:** October 06, 2011, 01:39:00 AM »

In my instances, I'm 99% of the time using a level leader, and the dropper tag I am using is the tag end from the butt end of the leader (or the section tied to the fly line), which comes out of the knot with the length of tippet that is continuing down to the next fly (mid dropper or point fly). In that manner, it's not a piece of tippet tied onto another leader of a differing size, but rather a continuous length from the fly line, and is hence stronger when pulled upon. When the dropper tag gets 'pulled', it is essentially pulling the knot snug and tight (whereas if I was using the top tag, it would be pulling against the natural binding of the knot).

I usually find if I snag up, the break off will be on the clinch knot of the point fly, as it is slightly weaker and gets even more weakened as it takes abuse through regular casting and bottom bouncing! It's always nice to make sure that if you're going to break off, it's just the point fly that goes!

Clyde Olson · « **Reply #5 on:** November 03, 2011, 09:26:18 AM »

I've used the clinch knot for years attaching fly to tippit but in the last year have gone to the Davy knot(after Davy Wotton--pronounced "whaaton") finding it can be tied quicker, believe it to be stronger and a smaller knot than the clinch.

Davy Wotton · « **Reply #6 on:** February 07, 2012, 10:14:57 PM »

Steven.

My advice to you is this, and that view is based on some 50 years fishing droppers.
A 3 or 4 turn water knot/ known otherwise as a surgeons knot.
I do use at times a couple of others but they are for addition to a already built leader system, In other words if l have say a rig set up for 3 or 4 flies and l wish to downsize say from 4 x to 6x for a small fly then l use a special knot to allow for me to add that 6x at any position on the leader l wish.

Also if a dropper tag is broken off or l need to add a new tag due to it being reduced by changing flies then l have a particular way l do that.

Tight Lines.

Davy.

Chris Smith · « **Reply #7 on:** February 07, 2012, 11:29:23 PM »

There are times, especially when I'm fishing to smaller fish, that I keep both tags. When the bottom becomes too short to use, I move to the top.

I haven't noticed a tendency to lose fish as a result, and I use a double surgeons.

Pat Brechbill · « **Reply #8 on:** February 08, 2012, 06:02:49 AM »

Quote from: Davy Wotton on February 07, 2012, 10:14:57 PM

Steven.

My advice to you is this, and that view is based on some 50 years fishing droppers.
A 3 or 4 turn water knot/ known otherwise as a surgeons knot.
I do use at times a couple of others but they are for addition to a already built leader system, In other words if l have say a rig set up for 3 or 4 flies and l wish to downsize say from 4 x to 6x for a small fly then l use a special knot to allow for me to add that 6x at any position on the leader l wish.

Also if a dropper tag is broken off or l need to add a new tag due to it being reduced by changing flies then l have a particular way l do that.

Tight Lines.
Davy.

Davy, I'd love to see the other knots you are talking about. I use the double surgeons and since I went to the Davy knot, it's more than likely I'll lose my rig when snagging up due to the high break strength of the Davy knot. It's very rare for that knot to fail for me.

Steven Good · « **Reply #9 on:** February 08, 2012, 10:09:28 AM »

I have been having good luck since my post using the triple surgeons knot then using the down tag. If I loose a fly it is the point fly however it always breaks at the surgeon not. I keep the upper fly because it is on the leader end however the surgeon knot breaks. I use a clinch knot to tie my flies on and have never had a problem with it. I also wet my knots so I don't think friction is a problem. I guess my triple surgeon is the weak link however I have not broken a fish of at the surgeon not just on snags.

I like the clinch knot it has worked for me and is simple, my wife uses the orvis knot because she just couldn't get the clinch to hold.

Davy Wotton · « **Reply #10 on:** February 08, 2012, 03:29:32 PM »

Steven.

What is the line you are using.
This is what l use. P-Line halo in 4 and 6lb, the 4 is more or less 5x.
You get it in bulk spools from Bass pro or Cabelas, and its way cheaper that Rio even at the trade price l pay for it.
I can only tell you that l have landed many Browns between 5 and 10lb on that line and so have my customers with few losses due to break off.

What rod are you using may l ask.

Davy.
www.davywotton.com

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #11 on:** February 09, 2012, 10:06:16 AM »

I have tired the Seaguar but not The P-line. Have you noticed if the P-line diameters seem to run true to size with 4lb being 5x and 6lb being about 3x?

Davy Wotton · « **Reply #12 on:** February 10, 2012, 02:22:26 AM »

Mark,

What matters to me more than anything is the diameter of the line as l consider that more of a issue than breaking strain, for the reason it is related to fly size and degree of animation, which may alter if l am fishing top water or at depth.
Overall l would say the P-line Halo is good.

Davy