Keep in mind that your leader/tippet size is affected by the fly/flies you are fishing. My friends and I use Trouthunter 5.5X tippet 90% of the time. The tippet X scale goes from 0X tippet, which measures.011" in diameter, down to 8X tippet which is just.003" in diameter. So a size 8 fly would be properly matched with 2X or 3X tippet. The larger and heavier your fly is, the larger your tippet should be. Here is a brief video explaining a great way for beginners to select a tippet size. Match the tippet to the size leader you are using. While it’s fine to use the same tippet for both flies, I like to use one size thinner for the second fly (or third if … However, there are some guidelines you can follow to get started. You have to use your own head on this issue, but the table below may give you a starting point and some reference. For example if I was going to use a size 12 fly a 4X would be the appropriate leader and tippet selection. For the rather shallow tributaries of Lake Erie a 3-5 foot, knotless tippet section is ideal for most water depths. The problem arises with fast action rods. 3mm, often used for Steelhead fishing and has a test strength of 45 pounds. Here’s an example (thanks to the good folks at Orvis for the basis for this table in this post). Tippet size is generally categorized by diameter and pound test breaking strength. But by using a tippet ring you can add any size tippet to it. Smaller fish and flies need smaller tippet and larger fish and larger flies need larger tippet. The third way is to use a slack line casts that either position the line and leader so as to reduce drag or add slack closer to the fly. The size of a tippet that you use should be determined by the size of a leader that you use. Because of their tiny size (2mm and 3mm diameter are most common) and nickel alloy construction, tippet rings float, making them viable for … There is no exact science to the thickness of tippet that will work best. Most trout anglers should carry a selection of 2X through 6x which is the equivalent of 12lb through 2lb test. Usually the tippet matches or is smaller than the length of the leader. I have landed many fish over 20' and used size 20 midges with 5.5X. I almost always use the biggest tippet that will fit through the eye of the hook. There are even some ridiculously fine tippets available now which go down to 12X or 13X, though they're not common. Your goal with a leader setup is to create a taper from the butt section down to as thin as possible tippet section. How to calculate the size of tippet to use with a fly - the "Rule of 3" Divide the hook size by 3 to determine the appropriate tippet diameter on the X scale; For example, use 6X tippet with a size 18 fly (18/3=6) (Unfortunately there is no standard way of representing hook size. In general, while fishing with floating lines you should use leaders 7-12 feet long and while fishing with sinking lines, use leaders of 3-5 feet. Using a longer tippet reduces drag because the tippet section falls with more slack. You need to adjust this accordingly in order to get the full benefits of fishing the correct fly size. The size of the tippet will aid in getting down quicker depending on the water speed (6x will help the get down faster that 5x). In the table below if you look at 5X tippets it suggests that 5X tippets could be best fished on a 1 or 2 weight fly rod with size 14 to size 20 flies. Sizes … Just remember that the tippet needs to be thick enough to cast the fly, to defeat the wind resistance of a dry and manage the weight of a nymph, streamer or wet. The tippet you use is also determined by fish size but also fly size. Keep several sizes on hand for a variety of situations you may encounter.