Tippet size finder, the rule of three.
Fly size to tippet size, tippet X number to diameter and rough breaking strength, and the leader to tie it to.
The fly
The tippet sizes
| Size | Diameter | Strength, lb | Flies |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0X | 0.011 in · 0.28 mm | 14 to 16 | Big streamers, bass bugs, salmon flies |
| 1X | 0.010 in · 0.25 mm | 12 to 14 | Large streamers, size 2 to 6 flies |
| 2X | 0.009 in · 0.23 mm | 10 to 12 | Streamers and big nymphs, size 6 to 10 |
| 3X | 0.008 in · 0.20 mm | 8 to 9 | Size 8 to 12: hoppers, stoneflies, woolly buggers |
| 4X | 0.007 in · 0.18 mm | 6 to 7 | Size 12 to 16: the everyday trout tippet |
| 5X | 0.006 in · 0.15 mm | 4.5 to 5.5 | Size 14 to 18: most dry flies and nymphs; the tenkara standard |
| 6X | 0.005 in · 0.13 mm | 3 to 3.5 | Size 18 to 22: small dries and midges |
| 7X | 0.004 in · 0.10 mm | 2 to 2.5 | Size 22 to 26: tiny midges on flat water |
| 8X | 0.003 in · 0.08 mm | 1.5 to 2 | Size 26 and smaller; rarely needed |
The rule of three
Divide the hook size by three and you have the X size of tippet that turns the fly over cleanly and lets it drift naturally: a size 12 goes on 4X, a size 18 on 6X. Round toward the thicker tippet when the fly is heavy or bushy, or the fish are big, and toward the thinner one on flat, clear water where fish see the line. The rule of four does the same for bulky flies that need a stiffer tippet to turn over.
Leaders
A tapered leader ends in a tippet section of its own; tie your tippet to a leader whose tip is the same size or one X thicker (a 4X leader takes 4X or 5X tippet). A tenkara level line has no taper, so the tippet goes straight on the end, usually 5X and about a meter long.
Why it matters
- Too thick: the fly lands stiffly, drags across the current and the eye of a small hook may not take the knot.
- Too thin: the cast collapses, the fly does not turn over, and a good fish breaks off on the strike.
- Tippet ages. Nylon weakens in sunlight and heat; replace spools every season or two, and retie the fly after every fish.