I was told to always use your teeth. I did it my whole life, just learnt a few years ago that it's bad for you. So I'm trying to break a 25 years of bad habits
I’ve heard of saltwater guys that file a tooth to do 80+ mono. I also met a pro guide the other day whose front bottom teeth are all snapped off at the gums. I couldn’t bring myself to ask.
As a dentist, I can confirm that. It's dangerous for the teeth. If I have to tell you a secret, I'm using my teeth in 90% of the cases to cut tipped material. I use nippers in 10% of the cases where I cannot reach the line with my teeth... 😂
I think 'Be your own angler' should be a video on its own.... So many people that only care about what is most popular in the 'scene'. Consumerism to the highest level.
Thanks Ben. Just ordered Dr. Slick scissor forceps with the jig eye paint buster and slotted screwdriver built in. Going to try this style out and move away from those pesky hemostats I've been carrying for eighteen years, that won't stay shut anymore, along with the nippers that constantly hang up on my rod and line. I think this will be a win for the stream and the kayak.
Entertaining and informative both together all at once 👍👍 Having tried various not outrageously expensive nippers over many years, I too have come to prefer scissor forceps or just scissors. I don't know about the outrageously expensive nippers, but all the nippers I've used except the not-so-handy fingernail ones got dull quickly. Not that problem with scissors. 🤗
For more than 50 years I've been using Walton's Thumb multi tool. The nippers are still super sharp. The original I have even has a serial number. The Creek Company in Steamboat Springs came out with a "replica". Also a great tool that I purchased for my chest pack rig.
I was about ro comment on how you triggered old hippies and bros at the same time. Then the zinger at the end brought the entire northeast into the fold. Chapeau to you, sir!
I use a weed whacker. Combines two of my favorite hobbies, fishing and lawn care. Plus, the other name for a weed whacker is a “string trimmer” so its name tells you to use it for trimming string.
I was gifted a pair of Simms tungsten nippers a few years ago. They never did cut very well or clean. To replace the tips I have to send them in. A set of cheap nippers works for the amount of fishing I do.
I probably still have the first nail clippers I bought for fishing - 35-40 years ago. I also probably have a hundred more. Along with zingers and hemostats that you were able to get for $1 or less at shows. I have them on every vest, back packs, waders, fly tying tables. Then if I spend more than $5 on something, I leave it hanging on a bush or at the bottom of the water somewhere. I'm sure I'm not alone...🙄 🙄 🙄
This is sooooo wrong, I always carry a machete, cuts the line, the wire leaders and the occasional coyote. I have lost 3 toes on it but I am committed. Hahaha, thanks Ben
I have nippers on a zinger, a pair of scissor clamps in my pocket, and a Moonshine Rod, I feel like this was a hit of dig at me. Still love the channel, Ben. Stay trashy.
I use a $3 forceps with a cutting edge back in the jaws. I bought it at an Army/Navy surplus store back in the ‘90s and it’s gone everywhere with me since then. I’ve been guiding for over a decade now and it never fails that a client will ask me, “Where are your nippers???” 😂
Totally disagree about the Lid Rig. The original versions weren’t great, but the newest versions are amazing. Super sharp. You can resharpen them, and they’re pretty much more accessible than any other nippers because you don’t have the need for a dangly zinger. Also, I’m not huge enough to use scissor forceps because almost every time I try to use them to get a hook out of a fish’s mouth, I end up cutting the line.
In my 70"s with decreasing eyesight I found increasing problems threading the eye of small fly hooks (24+). Then I found the Simms nipper which operates by magnets and has the added value of a small gap for placing the eye of the fly and a small channel that threads the eye easily. Not for everyone but a big plus for me.
If you tie your own flies or know someone who’d tie for you, check out the orvis big eye hooks. I use them in some of the smaller sizes to make it easier to tie on tiny midges in the winter.
Somebody is jealous they aren't used for promotional gear 😂 seriously though, that's a good tip for tying your knots better so you don't have a long tag end. It makes a difference for me for sure. You can also sharpen the cheap nippers fairly easy, I have a pair that's still going after 4 years. Pretty good for a investment of 5 bucks if you ask me
I have a 2 dollar pair of little kids scissors that I sharpened and the cheapest fingernail clippers I could find with the lever removed, pinch only. On a lanyard made from a bootlace. Works perfectly from 2# up to 40# floro, including the slickest braided stuff.
Yeah, Panic…. I’m into that, just not big dollar nippers… put a Wide Spread Panic bumper sticker on your old, beat down Toyota pickup or your brand new Subaru. Way less expensive. Something I learned about your TH-cam installment….. put your cheep (fishpond) nippers on the same zinger as your favorite forceps. Cleans things up, makes it easy… I doubt you’ll ever have to use both tools at the same time… Thanks Ben, I to, suck at fly fishing.
I’ve been using the $50 Simm’s guide nippers for years, but more often than not the scissor hemos get more use. Some of the dudes on the TU forums swear by the scissors on Swiss Army Knives. 🤷🏻♂️
Not affiliated, but I recommend Dr. Slick clamps/scissors, 10 - 15 bucks! If you want to go cheap, like I always do, 1.50 school scissors work for mono/fluoro under 30lb - 1.50, you can buy 2 if you loose one hahaha
Hey man the mitten nippers come in great for me. I have some arthritis in my hands and sometimes can't open with the finger holes. I lay the mitten nippers in the middle of my palm and about two thirds down my fingers and wala nip nip
I've got a pair of Orvis's high end nippers and I think the #1 value of them.... I want so badly not to loose them I pay WAY better attention to what I'm doing. HAHAHA. in the long run, they'll cost me less because I'll have lost so many fewer of them. Similarly, I haven't lost a set of Hemostats after I started carrying an extra set in my sling pack. Crazy how spending a couple extra bucks has saved me $.
when I was a kid I used a pocket knife to cut braid, and things that I couldnt cut with my teeth. Did this from age 8 to 19. Then stopped fishing for 22 years...no idea why.
I’m going to ask Tiffany’s jeweler to come out with gold plated hemostats with diamonds cutters and inlays. People will buy them. I just want 1% of sales.
$30 Berkley fishing pilers vs $250 Simms fishing pilers. They look, feel and work the exact same! I love the small Cuda scissors, they're like maybe $10? I like the nippers with poker to clear the hook eyes.
$345?? Didn’t know Abel raised their rip-off by $100. Great experiment to see how far human stupidity will go..interesting.🤔 I use cutting forceps also. I ground a small 3/4” x 1/4” piece off of hook sharpener and epoxied it to non-movable side of hinge. Great multi-tool. Going on 5 years so it’s durable. It’s usually the only tool I carry. Thanks as always Ben. Have a Huge week. 👍🎣👌
But wait they can cut your 5x 8 strand unobtainium carbon fiber fluorocarbon sleeved diamond impregnated tippet that costs $150 for 30 yards . What other nippers can do that ? But wait there’s more they also have replaceable cutting jaws that you can’t get but will need . And they weren’t Widespread Panic nippers they were Greatful Dead . Added value :-) Stay Huge
Lol. Thanks for burning Moonshine. I use them as an example of what to avoid frequently. Seeing brands like that pop up and explode on the scene is frustrating and upsetting. Huge marketing budgets don't make it a good product... white labeled foreign products get far too much hype
I've never understood expensive nippers... I think my wife would divorce me if she learned I spent $345 on something to cut line, and I wouldn't blame her! Shows some people in the fly fishing world have more dollars than sense.
Great advise! KISS /keep it simple stupid Tip : when you can't tie a fly/hook on : - line thru hook eye, overhand knot the loop once or twice. ( 9 yr old kid showed me ! ) fish never complained !
Teeth are the most expensive nippers
I was told to always use your teeth. I did it my whole life, just learnt a few years ago that it's bad for you. So I'm trying to break a 25 years of bad habits
Yep, I used my teeth forever, because of that my teeth no longer Chomp tight enough to cut line.
Only thing my crooked ass teeth are good for
I’ve heard of saltwater guys that file a tooth to do 80+ mono. I also met a pro guide the other day whose front bottom teeth are all snapped off at the gums. I couldn’t bring myself to ask.
As a dentist, I can confirm that. It's dangerous for the teeth. If I have to tell you a secret, I'm using my teeth in 90% of the cases to cut tipped material. I use nippers in 10% of the cases where I cannot reach the line with my teeth... 😂
And if you add the lanyard to the Greatful Dead Abel Nipper, you can go ahead and round it up to $400.00. That's insane.
Mitten scissor clamps 100% - more comfortable for the neuropathy in my hands, plus they don’t snag and are easy in the winter
Everything you throw tom in I'm there I get a good laugh😂
Manged to make a great video about nippers, well done!
Boomerang Tool Company
Scissor with a built in yo-yo. Inexpensive but will cut just about anything.
I think 'Be your own angler' should be a video on its own.... So many people that only care about what is most popular in the 'scene'. Consumerism to the highest level.
Imagine not paying at least $80 for a pair of finger nail clippers to cut fishing line. I mean, do you even fish bro?
If Abel actually made Widespread Panic Nippers they better come with a side of cowboy boots, whiskey, and some dust in a baggie.
Thanks Ben. Just ordered Dr. Slick scissor forceps with the jig eye paint buster and slotted screwdriver built in. Going to try this style out and move away from those pesky hemostats I've been carrying for eighteen years, that won't stay shut anymore, along with the nippers that constantly hang up on my rod and line. I think this will be a win for the stream and the kayak.
Well said as always 👍
Entertaining and informative both together all at once 👍👍 Having tried various not outrageously expensive nippers over many years, I too have come to prefer scissor forceps or just scissors. I don't know about the outrageously expensive nippers, but all the nippers I've used except the not-so-handy fingernail ones got dull quickly. Not that problem with scissors.
🤗
For more than 50 years I've been using Walton's Thumb multi tool. The nippers are still super sharp. The original I have even has a serial number. The Creek Company in Steamboat Springs came out with a "replica". Also a great tool that I purchased for my chest pack rig.
I like to use a good pair of small scissors. I normally fly fish from a boat and I have them beside me ready for use.
I was about ro comment on how you triggered old hippies and bros at the same time. Then the zinger at the end brought the entire northeast into the fold. Chapeau to you, sir!
I have become a big fan of the Davey Knot. One of the things I like about it is that it's really easy to control the length of the tag end.
I’ve been trying to tie this knot but end up getting frustrated and use the clinch instead
@@CarlosGarcia-507 I find the Davy knot to be much easier and quicker to tie than the clinch knot myself.
@@CarlosGarcia-507 th-cam.com/users/results?search_query=davey+knot
CHEERS Ben, We’re huge fly fisher women from New Zealand. We love you Ben! Stay huge.
I use a weed whacker. Combines two of my favorite hobbies, fishing and lawn care. Plus, the other name for a weed whacker is a “string trimmer” so its name tells you to use it for trimming string.
I was gifted a pair of Simms tungsten nippers a few years ago. They never did cut very well or clean. To replace the tips I have to send them in. A set of cheap nippers works for the amount of fishing I do.
lol that picture of Tom with the tarpon
My dad used his Cig for all things line.
I've used the blade on the tippet spool more often than I'd care to admit. I forget to bring hemos/nips with me often when pond hopping.
I probably still have the first nail clippers I bought for fishing - 35-40 years ago. I also probably have a hundred more. Along with zingers and hemostats that you were able to get for $1 or less at shows. I have them on every vest, back packs, waders, fly tying tables. Then if I spend more than $5 on something, I leave it hanging on a bush or at the bottom of the water somewhere. I'm sure I'm not alone...🙄 🙄 🙄
This is sooooo wrong, I always carry a machete, cuts the line, the wire leaders and the occasional coyote. I have lost 3 toes on it but I am committed. Hahaha, thanks Ben
WSP… hahaha. My Deadtoe buddies are cursing at you right now!
Nicely done Ben. Stay huge
yep I chipped a tooth.. That was an expensive lesson.
The Nippers are fly fishing's wrist watch. Timex gets the job done but no one ever compliments it like a Rollex...
You are the BEST! I appreciate every video, which now makes us best friends. 😂
I have nippers on a zinger, a pair of scissor clamps in my pocket, and a Moonshine Rod, I feel like this was a hit of dig at me. Still love the channel, Ben. Stay trashy.
I use a $3 forceps with a cutting edge back in the jaws. I bought it at an Army/Navy surplus store back in the ‘90s and it’s gone everywhere with me since then.
I’ve been guiding for over a decade now and it never fails that a client will ask me, “Where are your nippers???”
😂
You’re sure to lose your nippers, so make sure you buy two of the $345 GD Abel nippers at a time! Pro(motional) tip.
Totally disagree about the Lid Rig. The original versions weren’t great, but the newest versions are amazing. Super sharp. You can resharpen them, and they’re pretty much more accessible than any other nippers because you don’t have the need for a dangly zinger.
Also, I’m not huge enough to use scissor forceps because almost every time I try to use them to get a hook out of a fish’s mouth, I end up cutting the line.
Been getting to lazy to reach down for my clipper so have been using my teeth more often.
In my 70"s with decreasing eyesight I found increasing problems threading the eye of small fly hooks (24+). Then I found the Simms nipper which operates by magnets and has the added value of a small gap for placing the eye of the fly and a small channel that threads the eye easily. Not for everyone but a big plus for me.
If you tie your own flies or know someone who’d tie for you, check out the orvis big eye hooks. I use them in some of the smaller sizes to make it easier to tie on tiny midges in the winter.
What’s wrong with moonshine rods?
I can't believe you left out the rusty bait knife, pruning shears, and "let your buddy trim it with their teeth," guys. They need love too.
Somebody is jealous they aren't used for promotional gear 😂 seriously though, that's a good tip for tying your knots better so you don't have a long tag end. It makes a difference for me for sure. You can also sharpen the cheap nippers fairly easy, I have a pair that's still going after 4 years. Pretty good for a investment of 5 bucks if you ask me
got a set of simms nippers on sale for $14 and have on a fishpond retractor clipper to my shoulder strap. Works perfect and didnt break the bank
I just use my pocket knife, but I’m a mini fly fisherman posing as a huge fly fisherman.
I have a 2 dollar pair of little kids scissors that I sharpened and the cheapest fingernail clippers I could find with the lever removed, pinch only. On a lanyard made from a bootlace. Works perfectly from 2# up to 40# floro, including the slickest braided stuff.
widespread panic logo???/. you had me till that moment
Love me some 90 shilling
Yeah, Panic…. I’m into that, just not big dollar nippers… put a Wide Spread Panic bumper sticker on your old, beat down Toyota pickup or your brand new Subaru. Way less expensive.
Something I learned about your TH-cam installment….. put your cheep (fishpond) nippers on the same zinger as your favorite forceps. Cleans things up, makes it easy… I doubt you’ll ever have to use both tools at the same time…
Thanks Ben,
I to, suck at fly fishing.
I’ve been using the $50 Simm’s guide nippers for years, but more often than not the scissor hemos get more use. Some of the dudes on the TU forums swear by the scissors on Swiss Army Knives. 🤷🏻♂️
So when you tie your fly on you never snip the tag end of the knot? I always do i feel it may male the fly move diff underwater and cause im petty😂😂😂
Not affiliated, but I recommend Dr. Slick clamps/scissors, 10 - 15 bucks! If you want to go cheap, like I always do, 1.50 school scissors work for mono/fluoro under 30lb - 1.50, you can buy 2 if you loose one hahaha
90 baby!
The “Pro” in Pro Staff stands for “Promotional” not “Professional”. Truer words have never been spoken!
Hey man the mitten nippers come in great for me. I have some arthritis in my hands and sometimes can't open with the finger holes. I lay the mitten nippers in the middle of my palm and about two thirds down my fingers and wala nip nip
I've got a pair of Orvis's high end nippers and I think the #1 value of them.... I want so badly not to loose them I pay WAY better attention to what I'm doing. HAHAHA. in the long run, they'll cost me less because I'll have lost so many fewer of them. Similarly, I haven't lost a set of Hemostats after I started carrying an extra set in my sling pack. Crazy how spending a couple extra bucks has saved me $.
when I was a kid I used a pocket knife to cut braid, and things that I couldnt cut with my teeth. Did this from age 8 to 19. Then stopped fishing for 22 years...no idea why.
I’m going to ask Tiffany’s jeweler to come out with gold plated hemostats with diamonds cutters and inlays. People will buy them. I just want 1% of sales.
Stay Huge!
My great friend and steelhead junkie found a pair of red Abel nips on the river. Score!
$30 Berkley fishing pilers vs $250 Simms fishing pilers. They look, feel and work the exact same! I love the small Cuda scissors, they're like maybe $10? I like the nippers with poker to clear the hook eyes.
I thought the cuda scissors were free? I take a few from every tackle shop.
The hideousness of that foot will haunt my dreams forever
what king of beer was that?
$345?? Didn’t know Abel raised their rip-off by $100. Great experiment to see how far human stupidity will go..interesting.🤔 I use cutting forceps also. I ground a small 3/4” x 1/4” piece off of hook sharpener and epoxied it to non-movable side of hinge. Great multi-tool. Going on 5 years so it’s durable. It’s usually the only tool I carry. Thanks as always Ben. Have a Huge week. 👍🎣👌
The lanyard is an extra $55.🤑 bringing it to a cool $400
But wait they can cut your 5x 8 strand unobtainium carbon fiber fluorocarbon sleeved diamond impregnated tippet that costs $150 for 30 yards . What other nippers can do that ? But wait there’s more they also have replaceable cutting jaws that you can’t get but will need . And they weren’t Widespread Panic nippers they were Greatful Dead . Added value :-) Stay Huge
ahahah Moonshine rods.
How do you get down off an elephant? You don't, you get down off a duck.
Trout weenies! 🌭🎣
Take care of your teeth😊 that’s number one 🎉🎉
90 Schillings…so delicious!
Widespread panic logo 🤣
I hate losing my nippers in my bag
There was a red set of Abels that were traded about over the years... amongst the savages.
Or predator anglers and shows the orvis dude tom rosenbower i think his name is hahahahha bro you got me laughing so hard😂
I simply make fish tie on my Flys and trim the tags themselves cuz you know, I'm a wizard!!
Hemocuts for the win!
When we getting a "Huge Flighs" tee shirt?
I nip my tag line because of grass/weeds in the ponds around my house… and as I write that I realize how ridiculous that logic is 🥴
Lol. Thanks for burning Moonshine. I use them as an example of what to avoid frequently. Seeing brands like that pop up and explode on the scene is frustrating and upsetting. Huge marketing budgets don't make it a good product... white labeled foreign products get far too much hype
Phish logo?? Anyway...another good one! Cheers!
Jerry from Texas laughing at the poors who use anything but Abel nippers.
Sarcasm meter pegged🤣!
I've never understood expensive nippers... I think my wife would divorce me if she learned I spent $345 on something to cut line, and I wouldn't blame her! Shows some people in the fly fishing world have more dollars than sense.
Great advise! KISS /keep it simple stupid
Tip : when you can't tie a fly/hook on :
- line thru hook eye, overhand knot the loop once or twice. ( 9 yr old kid showed me ! ) fish never complained !
everything i already knew but was afraid to talk about
Wait, what? You don’t have to cut the tag end!? Now you tell me!
Don’t use your teeth unless you want caps when you get older
Unclipped tag ends collect seaweed and other debris in the salt where I do most of my fishing.
Guys who buy expensive Abel nippers only go fishing once a year with a guide during the salmonfly hatch on the __(insert name here)__ river.
I only cut leader with my teeth once.
Had Abel nips on Abel zinger my dad gave me before he past. Yeah someone stole it.
I've seen Widespread Dead Phish 372 times...
I had to turn down a couple nipple offers hahah
Lol a chainsaw or aomething
Hatch nippers all day
WMFP !
Make a fortune by inventing some gadget for fly fishing.
i use rocks to cut my line :P
Tenkara is not cane poles
Yes it is
Let's chat about nippers; a conversation that will get boring faster than talking about women's 2023 Summer hat fashions.
Everyone knows that Van Stall pliers are needed to properly trim a #16 Adams.