Extra Shock Absorbers & Light Tippet

by Dave Southall
(Driffield, East Yorkshire, UK)

I've been experimenting with additional shock absorbers when using light tippet (7x) & tiny flies (sizes 20 to 30 CdC midges & midge pupae) for fish in the 14 to 16" plus range. I fish a lot with tiny flies for still water rainbows which are avid midge-feeders & grayling with my 13.5' Amago.

Furled leaders give a small amount of extra tippet protection due to their stretch.

Two feet of #4 pole elastic between the lilian & line works, doesn't affect casting & hooking too much but is far too stretchy, making control of the fish dificult.

Two feet of 14lb breaking strain power gum gives some extra tippet protection & has no adverse effects on casting or hooking. I've still been broken a couple of times by bolting rainbows of around 3lb but power gum is the best so far.

My new Ito is also very good at shock absorbtion being much softer than the Amago.

I'd be interested in the observations of others re coping with sizeable fish on light tippets.

Dave Southall