Leland on Rio Extreme Tippet
There are many fly fishing applications where brute strength or ultimate sensitivity are paramount when comparing different types of tippet materials. Indeed, nylon and fluorocarbon tippet materials have improved dramatically in the last several years. But if your looking for the strongest, and most sensitive material, there's no doubt that the gel-spun braid found in RIO Extreme Tippet is tops. (Compare 25 lb Extreme 2X to 10 lb Powerflex 2X!) Extreme braid has near-zero stretch, so you feel much more when high sticking or Czech nymphing, and you get instant hook sets. Poppers for black or peacock bass in heavy cover or swinging for winter steelhead might also be under consideration with Extreme. Casting Frog patterns with braid in the Delta gets my nod! If a big black bass gets into the slop, they're probably goners with regular tippet.
Leland on Specifications
RIO Extreme Tippet has unique strength and non-stretch characteristics that set it apart from other leader materials and give the angler an added advantage in specific fly fishing situations. This material is difficult to cut and requires very sharp, strong nippers or scissors. Use care when tightening knots so that you do not cut yourself with the material. Use triple or quadruple surgeon knots when joining Extreme to Extreme. I'd recommend a Uni-knot (back to back Duncan's Loops) when joining Extreme to mono or fluoro, with 5 turns on the mono, and 10 turns on the Extreme. Tighten the knot slowly and carefully so that both sides of the knot have a uniform smooth appearance when tightened together. Now you'll be ready when that fish explodes!
Specifications:
- Strongest tippet per diameter available
- Braided Gel-spun fiber
- 5X (0.006", 0,152mm); 10lb (4.6kg)
- 4X (0.007", 0,178mm); 15lb (6.8kg)
- 3X (0.008", 0,203mm); 20lb (9.1kg)
- 2X (0.009", 0,229mm); 25lb (11.4kg)
- 20 yards per spool
- Color: Black
Rio on their Extreme Tippet
New for 2008. An incredible braided tippet material with an exceptional strength to diameter ratio that makes it the strongest tippet material on the market. With no stretch at all there is incredible sensitivity for bite detection and for instant hook ups.
Four sizes:
5X: With no stretch and superior strength the 5X is an awesome nymphing material. It is especially great for Czech nymphing with its super sensitive bite detection.
4X: A general purpose size ideal for hoppers and other terrestrials, especially when fishing tight to the bank.
3X: Stiff enough to turn over bigger flies and superb for streamers.
2X: A great tippet material for swinging flies for large anadromous fish.
Extreme Tippet is very, very strong and has a slick coating that can result in the failure of standard fishing knots. To get the very best in performance from Extreme Tippet we recommend the use of a triple or quadruple surgeon's knot when joining together two pieces of Extreme Tippet (or if joining it to regular nylon). We also recommend the no-slip knot for attaching flies (an illustration is attached with each spool).
Warning: The ultra-thin diameter and very high tensile strength of Extreme Tippet makes it tough to break (and cut). Be careful if hooked to a snag that the fly or line does not fire back into your face when pulling for a break. Also, handle with care when tightening knots to avoid being cut by the material.
