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Tipped & Leaders
The final connection between you and the fish is the leader and tippet.
So, as you can imagine, those parts are very important for the following reasons:
- We need the strongest line under the worst conditions: cold, hot, rocks and giant fish.
- The line should be as least visible possible with an accurate diameter.
- The right profiles, elasticity and stiffness of the leaders and tippets will drastically improve our success.
Always remember that with a low-quality material, expired or inappropriate, you will lose the biggest fish ever!
I will pass on to you the following details:
Tippets
I suggest you bring the following diameters and quantities of each size:
| Size | Lengh | Test | Quantity to Bring |
|---|---|---|---|
| .023 in / 584 mm | 30 yd / 27.4 m | 50 Lb - 22.7 Kg | 2 spools |
| .021 in / .533 mm | 30 yd / 27.4 m | 40 Lb - 18.2 Kg | 2 spools |
| .019 in / .483 mm | 30 yd / 27.4 m | 35 Lb - 15.9 Kg | 2 spools |
| .017 in / .432 mm | 30 yd / 27.4 m | 30 Lb - 13.6 Kg | 2 spools |
| .015 in / .381 mm | 30 yd / 27.4 m | 25 Lb - 11.4 Kg | 2 spools |
| .013 in / .330 mm | 30 yd / 27.4 m | 20 Lb - 9 Kg | 2 spools |
| 0X | 30 yd / 27.4 m | 15 Lb - 6.8 Kg | 2 spools |
| 1X | 30 yd / 27.4 m | 13 Lb - 5.9 Kg | 2 spools |
| 2X | 30 yd / 27.4 m | 10 Lb - 4.5 Kg | 2 spools |
| 3X | 30 yd / 27.4 m | 8.2 Lb - 3.7 Kg | 2 spools |
| 4X | 30 yd / 27.4 m | 6.4 Lb - 2.9 Kg | 2 spools |
| 5X | 30 yd / 27.4 m | 5.0 Lb - 2.3 Kg | 2 spools |
| 6X | 30 yd / 27.4 m | 3.4 Lb - 1.5 Kg | 1 spools |
*At the Lodgeʼs store we have all those tippets and leader materials, but at higher cost than the place of their origin.
I suggest you bring more than one spool because very frequently you lose one when fishing or because we may use one whole spool (very rare).
Also be sure the tippet material is totally new, bought specifically from the store for this trip.
Final recommendation: bring Rio Power-flex Plus (if you want add fluorocarbon but bring the regular line too)
Leaders
Follow most of the recommendations Iʼve provided you on the last chapter of tippets.
Also I suggest you bring 12-foot leaders or even longer. Why?
- Because if we need shorter we can cut them and will have the same profile as a brand new 9- or 7 1/2-foot leader.
- Because we will have a high wind from our back and we will need to balance the leader and tippet to guarantee a perfect presentation, which will drastically increase our fish landed daily. So follow this chart
Final recommendation: bring Rio Power-flex Trout Leader in 3 pack bags (if you want add fluorocarbon but bring the regular leaders too)
| Size | Lengh | Test | Quantity to Bring |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0X | 12 ft / 3.7 m | 15 Lb - 6.8 Kg | 5 leaders |
| 1X | 12 ft / 3.7 m | 13 Lb - 5.9 Kg | 5 leaders |
| 2X | 12 ft / 3.7 m | 10 Lb - 4.5 Kg | 5 leaders |
| 3X | 12 ft / 3.7 m | 8.2 Lb - 3.7 Kg | 6 leaders |
| 4X | 12 ft / 3.7 m | 6.4 Lb - 2.9 Kg | 4 leaders |
| 5X | 12 ft / 3.7 m | 5.0 Lb - 2.3 Kg | 2 leaders |
Connector
I may suggest you bring all your fly lines attached with a braided loop connector in the head and in the butt.
Also, your backing: Bring 30 yd (27m) in 40 lb. test. It should have a Bimini Twist knot in the front so we can easily change fly lines and so that in long runs, the whole system will pass freely and smoothly through the rodʼs guides.
