Ok, did some research on here and online and even have asked a few folks that have been flyfishing for years. What I am asking is info/suggestions on leaders.
I am still considered a newby per say to fly fishing but it is getting my interest/choice more and more everytime I go out. I have made a few of my own leaders and purchased many more for different applications (dry, nymph, etc.) but was wondering if any of you have a suggested ratio/test to use? I have read articles on a 50-25-25 and another 60-40 ratio but it is all way to mathematical for me. I have also been told that a 20lb butt, 15lb body, and tippet for the size fish I am after is a go to best bet for most fishing except for dry's. The dry's I would be best to buy the store versions for better roll and presentation?
Thoughts??
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You got it as far as see. Subsurface, whatever taper suits you. I use to make my own leaders using the Frog Hair kit and some darn nice ones. Cool to cause I could make different tapers for different weight of flies.
I guess I stick with the formula for 5X and would add 6X tippet if needed. I also like the 7 1/2' leaders.
Of course, now I only use Furled Leaders on the rivers. Very easy to adjust the length without effect turn over and it holds indicators great. Plus with the thread models, I soak and the sink beautifully.
And for dries, nothing beats a furled leader. You CAN cast just the leader, can't do that with the traditional.
I also got tired of all the knots on the traditional.
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I thought you might have chimed in on this...Wealth of experience and knowledge, I have been reading your posts for years.
Furled leaders?? Now I have to look that up, no experience or knowledge!
Thanks for the lead/advise.
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They are great, PM me an address and I will give you a sample....in the future, I can even show you how to make your own.
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I mostly throw dries, and have used the same 3-peice leader formula for about 25 years now. My butt section is a 3-foot section of heavy mono. I use 25lb. test Maxima. To that, I tie on a tapered leader, usually about a 3x or so. I trim a foot or two of the tippet from the tapered leader, and then attach my own tippet of choice. That is currently Orvis florocarbon of 3X-5X. I don't personally ever have a need for 6X, even with size 20's. (And I never have a need for a fly smaller than a sparsley-tied 20 either!!)
Anyway, the 3-peice, heavy butt--tapered leader--final tippet formula has worked great for me for a very long time. It leaves only two knots besides the one attaching the leader to fly line, and the one attaching your fly. I can use the same butt section for a whole season usually. I can re-attach new tippet for weeks before I need to change the tapered leader. This system is long-lasting, turns the fly over great, and piles the leader for drag-free presentations. The whole thing is 11-15 feet long.
For streamer fishing, it can be shorter and heavier. I usually just use the same butt section, and a short section of a tapered leader.
For nymphing, shorten the tippet section unless you're fishing pretty deep. Fish a 9 or 10 foot total leader length.
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Great info from great people, thank you.
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FG got me hooked on her Furled leaders. Can't fish without them. I've only been flyfishing for a few years and these leaders took my casting to another level. Plus saves a lot of time not having to tie so many knots and saves a ton of money.
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