re: The Fly Fishing Thread: Questions, pics, discussion all here

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My question is, does the image show the proper setup and if so, what size tippet do I need? When I google tippets, I see people carry them on their vests and what not so I guess one could change them frequently??

If it helps, I have a 8'-6", 5 wt and will be fishing in Colorado. My reel came with backing, fly line, and a leader, if referencing the diagram.

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That picture is OK, but not absolute. Most people these days will use a loop to loop connection for the leader to the fly line and I use a nail knot for fly line to backing connections. Onto leaders/tippet...

The basic construction of a tapered leader is that it tapers from the fat end to the level tippet section that is usually 18"-24" of the same diameter material. This final diameter is designated with the 5x, 6x, etc. markings. You don't need to add tippet to a brand new leader but some people do. A spool of tippet material will mainly be for:

- replacing the level tippet section of the leader once you have burned through it (most common)
- extending the level tippet section (can give a softer presentation of the fly but can also prevent turn over if you use too much)
- changing the final diameter of the leader

tippet material is cheap compared to a tapered leader. I'll typically start with a new leader and burn through a half dozen or so flys before adding a couple feet of tippet.

here is a great podcast on leaders and tippet

I'm not sure what leader your combo came with but a good all-around leader to start with where you are would be a 9' 5x mono tapered leader. Grab a few spools of tippet say 4x-6x and you can make that leader work all season.

Awesome. Thank you so much. Going to check out the podcast here in a sec.

Sent you an email.

If you're getting that type of sandal get the Keens. What type of water to wet wade??? I just put neoprene wading socks on and wear my wading boots when wet wading.

EDIT: my "wading socks" are actually Bodyglove neoprene wetsuit slippers typically used in scuba diving

Get the neoprene socks and use your wading boots. You'll have loads of little pebbles and sharp rocks getting through the holes in the sandals - not fun

They're a campground just below the dam. I can't remember the name off the top of my head though. Think it may be a state park though.

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Pretty pumped about headed back to Gatlinburg this weekend, for 3 days of nothing but fishing. I also signed up for a free lesson at one of the fly shops near the campground. So, hoping to pick up some tips and pointers.

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Become a ninja, seriously, those little mountain fish are easily spooked. Take a trip over to Townsend and visit Little River Outfitters, best fly shop in the area. In this heat, I have had a lot of luck in the past with tellico nymphs.

One of my favorite spots to fish that I don't mind sharing is right next to the Chimney Tops trailhead. Park your car at the trailhead, walk through the tunnel back toward Gatlinburg, and then climb down the side of the mountain right after the tunnel to the river. Be careful on the climb, it's pretty steep here. You can fish bows all the way back to the trailhead. I will usually get out of the river at the trailhead (but you don't have to) and walk up the trail to the 3rd trail bridge and fish for the native brook trout to bridge 5. You can fish for hours doing this, it takes a lot longer than expected to go from the climb down to the trailhead again. The river bends around a lot.

If you want to go for the smokies grand slam, brookie/bow/brown in the same day, you can usually find browns by elkmont.

You can always go to Cherokee and pay to fish the trophy section if you want big fish. National park fish are tiny for the most part, but the small native brook trout are delicious at a campfire.

Cool, they usually have really good guides and classes there. They bring in some great fly tiers all the time for free demos too. They should treat you right, if they don't, talk to management and they will make it up to you if they know they did something wrong.

I wouldn't worry about rain too much. Low water up there makes things easier with small pools. Never count out a tiny puddle, amazing how trout live in those up there lol. Also makes it easier to wade in some of the fast moving sections too.

There are always people there but I wouldn't say that it's crowded.

Here's the link to the website:

LINK