Why we like the MOW tips

Got the opportunity to try out the new RIO MOW Heavy tips on our most recent steelhead trip. Here's why I think they should be in everyone's steelhead arsenal.

1. The floating tip actually casts well. Unlike the floating tip of previous skagit kits, these actually can cast a fly without blowing anchors and let you put the fly where you want it. I skated big dries, as well as fished a very long leader and heavy fly for some techy stuff without a problem. The long leader stuff has always been tricky, yet the MOW kit definitely tamed that beast.

Fishing a small slot on the far bank

2. It's nice to fish shorter tips. I fished the 7.5 T14 w/ 2.5 feet of floating for about 75% of the trip. Not only would I put the depth comparable to between the 15 foot of type 6 and type 8, they cast far easier. When fishing a shorter spey rod (i fished the 7126 TCX exclusively), the longer tips can start to add up on your anchor placement. The MOW tip solved this problem, and made casting all day far more pleasurable.

3. Welded Loops on all tips. This is not only nice for the shop-geek in me (saves me doing a half million nail knots before a trip), but they go through guides easier, and cinch up nicer to the loops of your skagit head. Plus they're damn strong. I had a little 'problem' and left the 10 foot T14 chunk, a 525 skagit and about 10 feet of running line on the bottom. We retrieved it from the boat, and the 30lb running line failed, instead of the tip.

My first chinook liked the 7.5 t14. No problems with strength here!

4. Technical water needs a techie solution. One run we fished was maybe 50 feet long, big boulders and maybe 3 feet deep. Pretty well unfishable with a type 3 or 6. Thats where the 2.5 chunk of T14 comes in handy. The long floating section allows great control over your fly, as well as the ability to steer your bug through the grabbiest of sections..

5. Blue floating section. Real easy to see, and real easy to mend. Gotta love tapered tips. 


Get yourself a pack, you won't be disappointed.