Tippet rings and micro swivels : “Ask the man who owns them”

“Brian Flechsig is the host of the Mad River Media series of instructional fly fishing videos, a renowned fly designer and tyer, an experienced fly fishing guide, and a veteran casting instructor. He is also the owner and operator of Mad River Outfitters, widely regarded as one of the premier fly fishing pro-shops and online fly fishing destinations. In addition, Brian organizes and leads exceptional trips—some of which you might even find me joining.” — Flip Pallot (1944–2025)

The well-established world of tippet rings and micro swivels

Henry Clement, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, August 2023. Photo by Captain Andrew Derr.

By Henry Clement

While many US and Canadian fly-fishing industry gurus were initially skeptical of tippet rings’ value, Europeans began using them in a dedicated way in the 1980s. They were, and still are, primarily used for nymphing—a radical departure from current US and Canadian beliefs about their best use.

Back story

The idea came from European competition angling — match anglers wanted a fast, easy way to change tippet sizes. A German fly angler named Pitzenbauer popularized the rings for fly fishing in the 1980s, which is why Germans still call them “Pitzenbauer rings.”

Climax

The German leader/tippet company was the first major fly-fishing brand to market the “Pitzenbauer rings.” By 2007–2008, they were on US fly-shop shelves at $7 for 10.

Then came cheaper imports

In all fairness to US and Canadian influencers, the caution about tippet rings was partly due to imports and justified. The rings coming from Asia were “stamped”, resulting in sharp edges that cut tippet.

RIO Tippet Rings

Today

It’s hard to find a fly-fishing influencer who doesn’t see the overall benefits of using tippet rings. They are IGFA-approved. The myth that they will drag a dry fly under has long ago been dispelled. Hanak, Cortland, Umpqua, RIO, and Orvis are very safe and do not drag anyone’s line or fly under.

Once an angler gets into tippet rings, like tube flies, few stay tethered to make fly tying great again — adopters “wouldn’t fish without them.”

The consensus

Leader preservation: you stop nipping away your tapered leader every time you change a fly. Safe bet: stick with 2mm tippet rings for basic freshwater use and 2.5 to 3mm for saltwater (see pound test below on rings). The 1mm ones are strong enough, but they’re too small, and tying two lines to them can be difficult because the hole diameter is too small.

BTW: worries that extra weight affects presentation with tiny dry flies have long been shown to be BS. Disturbing the near fish, or one rising, is more likely caused by your hurried pickup mistake (see link below for Flip Pallot’s line pickup video).

Last but not least

“Tippet rings weigh very little and are usually suspended within the surface tension.” — The Fly Crate

Dual tippet rings

Micro swivels don’t have mixed reviews in the US (as experienced), Canada, Europe, Argentina, New Zealand, or anywhere else searched.

The best summary regarding their use for contact fly fishing or nymphing, but not dry flies, is, “… the micro swivel is a great idea for your nymphing instead of a tippet ring. They’re interchangeable” — nymphing, not dries.” — Orvis’ Tom Rosenbaurer.