[Iain Goolager]

I think the last time I retained a fly on the keeper ring of a rod was about 30 years ago when I fished with approx 5' leaders (I didn't know any different  ).

Do they serve any purpose?


Iain

FYI - I don't like any leader material to be inboard of the tip ring when walking about and 'generally' use leaders of 1.25 - 1.75 x the rod length. so I'll clip the point fly into one of the rings near the tip of the rod, run the leader down and around the reel and it should leave a short section of fly line out of the tip ring - I'm sure you get my drift.

[Mike Barrio]

Hi Iain

Yes, I'm totally with you on this one

I have always done the same, using one of the rings further up the rod and taking the leader around my reel.

I think the only reason that we still see them on rods nowadays, is the fear that customers will stick the fly in to the cork handle instead when there isn't a keeper ...... and then claim their cork fell to bits

Best wishes
Mike

[Iain Goolager]

is the fear that customers will stick the fly in to the cork handle

Used to do that too in my mid to late teens as it was considered cool    didn't half dig up the cork! 

Iain

[Irvine Ross]

I use the keeper ring. 

I needle knot the tapered leader to the end of the fly line so it slips out through the tip ring no problem. Anyway you will have the leader inside the tip ring when you are netting the fish so what's the difference

Irvine

[Iain Goolager]

Hi Irvine,

Fair enough - I don't like to have the leader at such an acute angle at any time and when netting a fish I've always got a reasonable bend radius in the rod. I think it also reduces the flexibility of where your bob fly can be situated when fishing a 3 fly cast.

Again, it's only an opinion & I've had major problems with it snagging shooting head running line - so I tape them over.

I also like the fact that I've always got a certain mount of combined line weight (flies included) outside the rod tip which, I feel, makes it easier to get straight into a cast - no placing the rod down and pulling a workable amount of line off the reel before casting can begin.

Iain

[Ben Dixon]

I agree, hardly ever use a keeper ring.  Use the same method as Iain usually so the fly is hooked into one of the upper snakes and there is enough line outside the tip to get the rod working.  Makes life easy if you have a lot of vegetation in front of you as you can simply hold the rod over the water and tap the blank a few times and the fly will drop straight onto the water.

Hate keeper rings on DH rods.

Cheers

Ben

[Sandy Nelson]

Sorry Iain

I always use the keeper too. Habit, probably
But i like having them

Sandy

[Mike Barrio]

Sorry Iain

I always use the keeper too. Habit, probably
But i like having them

Sandy

Yes, I remember discussing this in the hut on more than one occasion Sandy

Cheers
Mike

[Sandy Nelson]

One of the many beauties of building your own rods
No rights , no wrongs.
You just do it the way you like

Sandy

[Rob Brownfield]

Have to say yeah, but no, but yeah, but no but well..depends on what I am fishing with!

Big flies for Pike/Perch/In the sea I use a keeper ring as the leader is normally sub 9 foot.

If fishing for trout, I have to say I tend to hold the point fly between my fingers and leave a bow in the line, so upon arriving at the next swim, its just a case of a flick and I am fishing again.

Once more, habit!