Help!! I'm hinge- ing

[wanderingrichard]

So, on this trip to work on our Penna. property, I brought along an 8 ft 6 in 5 wt with a WF floater for line.
I'm using a commercial one part tapered trout leader and 2 ft of 5lb tippet.

This is not an expensive set up. It's budget, but I can make it work.

But, my casting is killing me. Specifically, when I try to lay out the cast, I'm getting a massive hinge effect at the leader / tippet junction and my offerings are just plopping into the water. So, I'm getting a bit frustrated.

Any suggestions to cure this ?

 

[fatbillybob]

That's in the works. My backyard isn't conducive to practice, but the large grassy area at the neighborhood playground is.

Also, I checked the SA website. Like I mentioned, I didn't think the WF5F that came with the combo had its weight far enough forward for the conditions I was fishing. (big water/open water taper vs creek /small water taper) And I found that they make a creek version of one of their lines that covers the what and where I had on Penns Creek. So, I'm heading this weekend to their local distributor to pick one up and give it a try. Hopefully it will bring that rod to life.

This is the line:

Amplitude Smooth Creek Trout | Scientific Anglers Fly Line

The Amplitude Smooth Creek Trout Taper is designed for casting in small creeks where your average weight forward lines doesn't make the cut.

www.scientificanglers.com

From SA:<<<<The Amplitude Smooth Creek Trout Taper is designed for casting in small creeks where your average weight forward lines doesn’t make the cut. The rear loaded short-bellied fly line with an extended handling section. That means more mass is distributed to the front of the line, which assists in turning over weighted flies and performing roll casts.>>>

This is what I've been saying about lines and payload. Small creek not as much line is out so you can feel underlined. This creek taper is making up for that.

 

[wanderingrichard]

Ok, regarding tippet rings: several here have mentioned them and I kind of blew them off.

Just did a search about them, and having second thoughts.

What Is a Fly-Fishing Tippet Ring and How to Set Them Up? - Guide Recommended

Using Tippet Rings has saved me so much money and hassle that when I was recently asked “What is a Tippet Ring?” I was genuinely surprised my friend did not

guiderecommended.com

 

[Tom Butler]

Ok, regarding tippet rings: several here have mentioned them and I kind of blew them off.

Just did a search about them, and having second thoughts.

What Is a Fly-Fishing Tippet Ring and How to Set Them Up? - Guide Recommended

Using Tippet Rings has saved me so much money and hassle that when I was recently asked “What is a Tippet Ring?” I was genuinely surprised my friend did not

guiderecommended.com

I run them at the end of most all my leader butts, lake or stream. For a stream I like 2mm. I have 2.5mm for large tippet diameters and flies. Here's one about 6" from the dry, and lots of fish ate it. Tapered leader butt, 12" sighter, ring, then tippet. Bonus, iF I hang up or put it in a tree it always breaks below the ring.