Get Connected! BTB Staff

Almost all fly rods are rigged about the same…

There are many ways to rig fly tackle, none of which are the perfect solution for all situations. The simplest configurations are not the strongest, but get the job done. The most complex rigs produce the highest strength, but are time-consuming and can be difficult to tie, especially on the water.

In “Getting Started – Get Connected!“, we shared some thoughts on rigging in general. In “Get Connected! Details” we shared a basic simple rig, and shared links to examples of setups used by some our local guides and BTB staff.

This post is the BTB Staff example. Others in the series include:

Get Connected! Capt. Bill Matthews

Get Connected! Capt. Vaughn Podmore

Get Connected ! Capt. Conway Bowman

Get Connected! Capt. Scott Leon

In the last post of this series: “Get Connected! Some Extras” we cover some additional info we know you’ll find interesting.

BTB Staff

Fearless Editor with friend

Here’s the setup we use. Since we still use separate traditional shooting heads, we thought this might be of some interest.

Connection

Knot / Other Prep

Backing to arbor (A)

Bimini Twist on the backing, tied into one of the spool holes along the axle using a Uni-knot. If there are no holes along the axle, take two wraps of silicon fusible wrap or electrical tape around the spool to prevent slipping, then tie the backing to the spool using a Uni-knot.

Backing to fly line / shooting Line (B)

On the end of the backing: Bimini Twist, then fold the Twist over and tie a Double Surgeon’s Loop (big enough to pass the reel through)
On the shooting line: Add a braided mono loop, secured with two Nail knots, or use the loop supplied by the manufacturer
Connect shooting line and backing using: Loop-to-loop Square knot

Shooting line / shooting head (C)

On the end of the shooting line: Add a braided mono loop, secured with two Nail knots
On the end of the shooting head: Add a braided mono loop, secured with two Nail Knots, or use the manufacturer’s welded loop
Connect the shooting head and the shooting line using: Loop-to-loop Square knot

Fly line to leader butt (D)

On the end of the fly line: Use the looped supplied by the manufacturer, or add a braided mono loop, secured with two Nail Knots, or fold the fly line over and form a Speed Nail Knot Loop
Connect the fly line to the leader butt using: Loop-to-loop Square knot

Typical leader (E)

If available, use a factory-made tapered leader with a loop on the butt end. Connect to the fly line using a Loop-to-loop Square knot.
If not using a factory-made leader:
Main leader is just 6-8 ft mono or fluorocarbon; Bimini Twist in the side facing the butt section; fold over and tie a Double Surgeon’s Loop. This will leave you with a loop with two strands.
If a shock tippet will be used, add a Bimini Twist to the fly end of the tippet
Connect the leader to the fly line or leader butt section using: Loop-to-loop Square knot

Leader tippet to mono or fluoro shock tippet (if used) (F)

If the shock tippet is reasonably close to the tippet material in diameter, use a Double Surgeon’s Knot. If very different in size, use a Slim Beauty, Hufnagle, or Albright

Leader tippet to wire shock tippet (if used) (G)

Double Surgeon’s Knot (if Surflon or Tyger wire is used), or Albright Knot with single strand wire

Tippet to fly (direct) (H)

Trilene Knot

Tippet to fly (loop) (I)

Non-slip Mono Loop

Braided mono loops - a BTB Staff favorite

Braided mono loops, attached with Nail Knots. Click for larger Easy image.

Notes

Here’s an example of a braided mono loop, held in place with two Speed Nail Knots. For more information on braided mono loops, how to make and install them, see Dan Blanton’s excellent website article: Getting Looped”.

Why separate shooting heads? We’ll also let Dan make the case for separate shooting heads. See his article: “Shooting Heads – The Mix and Match Tip System”. We’ve been using separate shooting heads for decades now, and like them a lot. But they’re not everybody’s cup of tea.

Advantages

Traditional shooting heads are much less expensive than integrated shooting heads
Traditional shooting heads can cast farther than integrated shooting heads
Tradition shooting heads can be easily swapped out and stored
Properly rigged traditional shooting heads can reach greater depths than integrated shooting heads

Disadvantages

More complicated to rig than an integrated shooting head
Traditional shooting heads do not cast well at distances where the shooting-line-to shooting head connection is in the guides
You can not pick up more line than the shooting head. Therefore, direction changes require than you strip in the head almost all the way up to the knot