Biotip Is Changing Tippet: Not Just How It Performs, But Also What It Leaves Behind

The Fly Box LLC
May 27, 2025
4 min read

This interview was conducted by The Fly Box and featured in Casts That Care, our charity-driven fly fishing newsletter.

Casts That Care brings you real stories, big ideas, and the heart of the fly fishing world—all while donating 50% of subscriber fees to a different fly fishing charity each month.

Subscribe today and use promo code: "biotip15" at checkout for 15% off your first month, and we’ll donate 25% more to conservation efforts.

In an industry where innovation often chases performance, one company has shifted the focus toward sustainability without compromising quality. Meet Biotip: the world’s first fully biodegradable fly fishing tippet designed to disappear after it disappears from your reel. We sat down with the team to learn more about how it all started, what makes Biotip so different, and why this little spool might just spark a big change in the fly fishing world.

The Origin Story: From Frustration to Innovation

The idea behind Biotip was born out of frustration—not with fishing, but with what was left behind. “We saw too much waste on the water,” the team shared. “Not just tippet, but all kinds of fishing line. Traditional monofilament can last hundreds of years. We started asking: what if we could make something just as strong, but designed not to last forever in nature?”

What began as a question became a full-fledged mission, and in early 2023, Biotip officially launched. The team, composed of lifelong anglers and materials science experts, pulled from their backgrounds to create something the sport hadn’t seen before.

Designing the Impossible

Creating a biodegradable tippet that doesn’t fall apart on your reel sounds like a paradox. But Biotip found the balance through a proprietary plant-based polymer. “It behaves just like traditional mono while you fish—strong, abrasion-resistant, UV-stable—but it breaks down naturally in soil or water within 5–10 years,” they explained.

Some anglers might ask, "If it breaks down in nature, won’t it break down faster in the water?" Biotip says no. The tippet holds up perfectly for 18–24 months when stored correctly, far longer than most anglers keep a spool on their pack. And when it finally does get lost to the elements? It begins to degrade gracefully.

Debunking the Myths

Convincing skeptical anglers that "biodegradable" doesn’t mean "weaker" has been a major hurdle.

"We focused on real-world performance first. Our 5XB matches traditional 5X in strength, with a slightly thicker diameter for integrity. We’re still working on diameter improvements, but in terms of tensile strength and knot reliability, we’re right there. Once people try it, they get it."

Their strategy? Let the product speak for itself. And back it up with data.

Branding Built for the Modern Angler

Biotip didn’t just reimagine tippet—they rethought how it should look and feel. “We wanted the brand to feel bold, clean, and forward-thinking,” they said. That extends to their 100% compostable packaging, right down to the spool.

The goal? To make sure your gear reflects your respect for the places you fish.

On the Water: What Anglers Are Saying

So far, the response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive. "We constantly hear things like, 'It performs just like what I’ve always used, but I feel better about it,'" they said. Some early skeptics have even become their biggest supporters.

There are a few notes about sizing, since Biotip tippet runs a bit larger than standard. But the strength ratings match, and most anglers adjust without issue. Guides and fly shops across the country are taking notice, offering Biotip as a high-performance, low-impact option to their customers.

Small Spools, Big Impact

When asked about the environmental impact, the answer was clear: it adds up.

"Tippet and leader are some of the most common types of fishing waste. If even a portion of the community switches to biodegradable options, the long-term reduction in microplastics is huge."

The same material used in Biotip is already being tested in ghost nets in Norway and Korea, which hints at something bigger: a fishing future with less plastic, not just in fly fishing, but across the entire industry.

What’s Next for Biotip?

The team is far from finished. A biodegradable leader is in the works, and they’re exploring new ways to bring sustainable thinking into every corner of fly fishing—from packaging and apparel to tackle.

You can meet the Biotip crew in person at ICAST 2025, where they'll be connecting with anglers, shops, and innovators alike.

Where to Find Them

If you want to follow Biotip’s journey or try it yourself, head to Biotippet.com or follow them on Instagram and TikTok @biotip. Whether you’re new to the sport or a lifelong trout bum, this is one product you can feel good about tying on!

"You won’t notice a difference. But the planet will." - Biotip Team

This interview was conducted by The Fly Box and featured in Casts That Care, our charity-driven fly fishing newsletter.

Casts That Care brings you real stories, big ideas, and the heart of the fly fishing world—all while donating 50% of subscriber fees to a different fly fishing charity each month.

Subscribe today and use promo code: "biotip15" at checkout for 15% off your first month, and we’ll donate 25% more to conservation efforts.