fly weight?

I have seen the putty in shops and been tempted by it a couple times.  My biggest worry is; how do you know exactly how much weight you are putting on?  Im sure after a while you get a feel for it, but that seems like too much work for me.  I normally use dinsmore lead shot.

The mini shot in my opinion is easier to deal with.  You can spread it out and get a consistent drift.  If you buy flies at a shop ask if they have any that are weighted.  Usually wolly bug, and nymphs are the flies you would want weighted, but if not the soft lead will be a good place to start.  If used properly it will not damage tippet and can be easily replaced after a snag or a trip into the trees...

Super Deoux (spelling???) is my preferred method for weight when fly fishing. They give you 6-7 sizes of micro shot to cover any need, and enough to last a couple seasons.
 
The putty works great too, but during cold weather it turns rock solid and you can't use it. And during hot weather it's too runny.
 
The Dinsmore shot is ok, but I found it to cut my line too much because of it's sharp edges. Just my own experience though.
 
 
Mike

ORIGINAL: thedrake

I always use dinsmores cushion shot. It causes minimal damage to your tippet.

As far as adding weight to flys, I dont do it anymore than tying nymphs as beadheads. It is much more versatile to add/subtract weight to your leader to get your flys down, and get the right drift.

 
Same here.

I have been using Skips Tooby system with no problems, except when it's cold and my fingers are stiff.  The shot can be a little difficult to push into the tube.  Line integrity remains intact, unlike with pinch on shot and they are easily removed.
 
Just my 2 cents.
 
X

hey what size split shot u guys use... smallest available? bb size? im gonna order the dinsmore shots but idk what size

     I carry many different weights with me.  (I fish a lot with nymphs, wets, and streamers.)  I have some small (1/32, 1/64 I think) pointed "bull" split shot, some "b" water gremlins, some soft weight, and a couple of variety packs of the micro shot.  I think the sizes I use most are called 6, 7, 8 by my current brand (I don't know for sure if different companies use different terminology) - they aren't too much bigger than the tip of a ball point pen.  I do like the soft, putty stuff sometimes (the temp. does affect it - as mentioned) - I add it to micro shot or a around a blood knot to hold it in place.
     I wouldn't say they never affect casting - especially bad casting like mine, but the better I get the less I notice it.  I do recall some scary bolo type casts when I was very new to this stuff and would false-cast way too much (I had a tandem rig that I needed to get deep).  The micro shot don't do much to it though.
 
 

   Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook?  - Job 41:1  

ORIGINAL: FisHMaNning

hey what size split shot u guys use... smallest available? bb size? im gonna order the dinsmore shots but idk what size

 
Get the dispenser that comes with AB down through 06. Eventually you'll use all of the different sizes. I've gone through dozens of dinsmores dispensers and never had a problem with shot coming off the leader. The only exeption might be their tin shot, which doesnt seem to stay put as well.