I have always used a single wt fly line (floating). I see lines that have changeable heads or tips. How are these attached or changed. Does this area have an influence on the size of guides used so that all knots pass easily? Is a changeable tip something desirable? What are the advantages? Thanks

John
God bless the troops and USA

most use a loop to loop connection to change the tip sections. they are similar to shooting heads. your guide size will still be determined by your line and knot system. i am sure it will depend on type of connection used and line weight

John,
For a loop to loop, I find that SF 06 ceramic is as small as I care to go. Chances are, your guides will have to pass the connection, while under the stress of fighting a fish. A 5 or 4 might pass the connection when you'r stringing-up, but check to be sure that things pass OK under load.
Advantages of interchangeable: gives you several different fly lines (floating, fast-sinking, slow-sinking,etc.) for a lower cost and higher convenience of only needing one reel.
George

Thanks George
I like to keep things simple. I guess I would prefer to have an extra line on a spool since I can see myself all tangled up changing tips. I can envision buying the line but never changing anything.

John;

I use Versi-tip lines all the time. It takes all of about 2 minutes to switch from floating line to sink tip, or full sink. They are loop connections. The last 15 feet is all your changing on you base line (floating) They cost more on the initial purchase but work out far cheaper than having two or three different lines and spools.

cheers
Harold

Harold
What size guides do you use? Are the loops big? I really need to go see one up close and personal.

John
God bless the troops and USA

John.

I fish light rods. 9' - 2, 3 and 4wt.s most of the time. I use snake guides #2's and 3's as my runners. The lines are factory looped and sealed, so there are no uneven edges to worry about. Once in a while where the two loops join, it will hang up on the tip for a split second, but even this is rare. It happens because of the line changing direction from the tip when a fish is on and takes another run.

cheers
Harold

John, I use these lines quite a bit for lake and pond fishing. I'm using #3 single foot TiC guides on my 5 and 6wt rods that I have set up for float tube fishing. Same as in one of the other posts, they are very quick and easy to change the tip sections. I do have one complaint on these lines. The factory loop to loop connections are a bit on the stiff side compared to the suppleness of the lines. I took mine and cut off the factory loop and made my own. I bent the line back on its self and whip finished a loop. No more spit second hang ups when fighting a fish and the fish is near the tube and it decides to make a run. They also cast just fine too.

I also use the Rio Versa Tip lines extensively in many weights for 4 to 10 and have no problems with the loops passing through the guides whether they are my custom built rods or a couple of factory rods I own. There is a reason the loop to loop connections are slightly stiffer then the rest of the line...it is to prevent "hinging" at the connection.

As others have posted, changing from one tip to another is easy and quick, many times I have done it mid stream, especially when Steelheading.

I agree with Bill about the stiffness of some of the connections on the multi-tip lines. I also made my own loops for my own line. I also have a Cortland multi-tip that has softer loops than the other line and casts quite well. You can also be up to your waist in a river and drop the spool accidentaly. Instead changing a tip takes less time and is much easier.