The first time I asked a guy at the fly shop if they carried tippet rings, I was met with a blank stare. After a brief pause, he came back and handed me a 3-pack of Loon Rigging Foam. While those are helpful for spooling leaders, they were not what I had in mind. I had to explain what I was actually looking for. To his surprise, after rummaging around a bit more, he found that they did, in fact, carry them. That moment stuck with me as a reminder of how underrated this little tool can be in the fly fishing world.
How I Use Tippet Rings
On my typical mono rig leader, I use two tippet rings. The first one connects my sighter to my leader. The second one is where I attach my tippet. Using a simple clinch knot, I can quickly and securely attach a level tippet section to complete my leader where I add my flies.
This setup has a number of advantages:
- It eliminates the need to constantly tie surgeon’s knots or blood knots.
- My sighter stays intact, even with frequent adjustments.
- It’s easy to adapt to different fishing conditions on the water—a crucial factor when tightline or Euro nymphing.
Tippet Rings Size and Quality
Tippet rings come attached to a small swivel, which I like to clip onto my pack for easy access. I prefer either the 1 or 2 m.m. sizes. They’re small, light, and don’t disrupt the cast or the drift. Despite their tiny size, they’re surprisingly sturdy.
However, it’s important to invest in quality rings. My go-to brands are Hanak , Cortland, and Umpqua. I recently purchased an off-brand set from Amazon, only to find that the rings cut into my 6X fluorocarbon tippet, rendering them useless. Spending the extra money for quality tippet rings—which typically cost about $1.00 per ring—is well worth it. They last a long time and perform reliably.
Versatility Beyond Nymphing
Tippet rings aren’t just for nymphing rigs. I also use them on my dry fly leaders, where they offer the same versatility and convenience. By tying a tippet ring to the end of my leader, I can easily add or replace tippet sections as needed, without having to rebuild my entire leader. This is especially useful when switching between different sizes of dry flies or when fine-tuning my presentation to match a hatch. The tippet ring allows for quick adjustments on the water, ensuring that my leader stays intact and ready for action. Additionally, the lightweight design of the ring ensures it doesn’t interfere with delicate presentations or spook wary fish, making it a great option for dry fly enthusiasts.
Final Thoughts
If you haven’t tried tippet rings yet, I highly recommend giving them a shot. They’re a simple but effective tool that can make your time on the water more efficient and enjoyable. And next time you’re at the fly shop, don’t be afraid to ask—they just might have them tucked away in a corner, waiting for someone who knows their value.
Stay Connected with TroutStrike.com
Follow TroutStrike.com on Instagram and Facebook @troutstrike for daily fly fishing tips, updates, and behind-the-scenes content.
Don’t forget to check out our YouTube channel for fly tying tutorials, nymphing techniques, and more. Subscribe and join the TroutStrike community today!
Thanks for reading! Spend more time on the water!
*Make sure to leave a comment below!
Have a great day!
Jeff Smecker
Tippet rings.. greatest thing since Titos and club with a slice of lemon on a hot summer night.. love them!
LOL! Thanks for reading and commenting!