Tangled Tippet

[alliette]

Everytime I tie tippet onto a leader it seems to that the tippet gets all tangled up and twisted. It reminds me of the old rooster tail days when the line would coil up. Is there any way that I can prevent this from happening. I use a double surgeons knot, and right belofe the knot is where it starts coiling.

[fessiewig]

Could use some more detail such as: have you cast the leader? If so, what fly is tied on and it's size, also what X strength is the leader? If you haven't even cast the leader, how are you taking the leader material off the spool? Things like that.

[Flyfish99]

Don't know if this is the answer, but I use blood knots, and don't have that problem.

[Birddogtwo]

Sounds like you need to stretch your leader before you tie them on to eliminate the memory coils. Try that and I think it might solve your problems. Good luck.
Dave

[petegas]

Sounds like you need to stretch your leader before you tie them on to eliminate the memory coils. Try that and I think it might solve your problems. Good luck.
Dave
stretch it out or also wet it down with some spittle before pulling it tight will prevent pig tails or curling.

[Steamtrain]

another idea
the fly maybe spinning in the air when your casting, causing the tippet to tangle when the cast is finished
this can happen a few ways, here are 2 ways

the fly your casting maybe too big for the tippet size
or the fly has a wing that causes it to spin like a propeller

hopefully one us will be able to help with your situation

[overmywaders]

Listen to Steamtrain. If you are fishing, for example, a Fanwing Royal Coachman #12 and you are using 5X Orvis SS (which is limp), you will have twisting and tangles. You need to go to a stiff (e.g., Maxima) nylon and 3X for that fly, in my experience.

[fessiewig]

See . . . . this is why I asked for more detail.

[alliette]

I'd use a #12 elk hair caddis with a 5x leader and I'd put on another 2-3 feet of 6x tippet for the leader shy trout. That would usually tangle up. Pretty much every time I put extra tippet onto a leader it would tangle up. I'm thinking it's just because of the double-surgeons knot. I'm going to switch to the bloodknot and go from there. Thanks All.

[fessiewig]

I'm a blood knot guy myself, but it doesn't sound to me like it's the fault of the double-surgeons knot. In fact, from what you've described I can't understand why your leader should be ending up in tangles. Although, if you're using a very limp leader material 6X could be too light for a #12 fly. However, even if that was true you're describing fishing with an Elk Hair Caddis, which does not have a record of twisting leaders. I'm assuming you're not talking about knotting leaders, but rather the leader ends up all twisty kinda like a spring.

Have no idea! I'd have to see you cast. Just another note . . . . a Hornberg is terrible for twisting up a leader, that's why I very rarely use them. Really great fly, though.

[freestone]

I would stay with a 4x tippet for a size 12 fly; it balances out well and will turn the fly and tippet over nicely. Don't worry too much about leader shy fish. Presentation, float, and or action are what I concentrate on as well as approach. Go get 'em!

[flygal]

If you swim the elk hair caddis underwater, they will twist your 5x & 6x unless you use florocarbon....Otherwize it sounds like an issue with the quality of your tippet....