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tying leaders

Started by Fire-Fly, April 20, 2008, 07:58:33 AM

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Fire-Fly

Does anyone build there own leaders, and if so what formulas do you use?

Woolly Bugger

Quote from: Fire-Fly on April 20, 2008, 07:58:33 AM
Does anyone build there own leaders, and if so what formulas do you use?

Sure do, I use many different formulas that are found on Global Fly Fisher's Leader Calc spreadsheet programl

http://globalflyfisher.com/fishbetter/leadercalc/

;hb
ex - I'm not going to live with you through one more fishing season!
me -There's a season?

Pastor explains icons to my son: you know like the fish symbol on the back of cars.
My son: My dad has two fish on his car and they're both trout!

Txfly

Yep.
How ever it lands.
Different forms for different things..

Fire-Fly

Woolly... thanks for that, i found that yesterday and i am reading it trying to get a grasp of it. Tying your own leaders seems to be alot cheaper, but you probably know that. I am looking at either the umpqua or maxima leader kits.
Quote from: Woolly Bugger on April 20, 2008, 20:34:45 PM
Quote from: Fire-Fly on April 20, 2008, 07:58:33 AM
Does anyone build there own leaders, and if so what formulas do you use?

Sure do, I use many different formulas that are found on Global Fly Fisher's Leader Calc spreadsheet programl

http://globalflyfisher.com/fishbetter/leadercalc/

;hb

Txfly

I start out with the "50/50" system...it should really be called the 50/25/25.
50% butt section (let's say 4 ft) then taper down, 2 feet of that, and 2 feet of the next smaller, then at tippet.
Berkley big game is stiff enough for most and it's cheap.
The key w/ the butt section is to not have the line diameter bigger than the end of your flyline. You will loose energy in the cast if it is.
Don't go by "pound test" thinking when building it...like thinking it's too heavy for what you're fishing for, go by diameter.
For 6-8 wt I use 50# saltwater/ bass because the diameter is similar
for 5-7 wt trout I use 40#
For smaller stuff, I use 20#-30# depending if it's a WF line or a DT.

The system is just a baseline, if it's real windy, I will Lengthen the butt section to punch flies, if the fish are super spooky I will shorten the butt and add more tippet.

I use a double surgeons for most cause I can tie it in under 20 seconds, If I have leader shy fish I use a blood knot as it is smaller than the DS knot, although not as strong.

Some folks add alot of sections when building, I don't. The more knots in your line the more room for error. As long as the diameters aren't too dissimilar, you'll be fine.

Hell, on some tarpon leaders I use for the Keys we go from 80# straight to 16# (different knots, though).

MtnGrouseHtr

You should also look into furled leaders. Lots less knots and better turnover.

Txfly

Quote from: MtnGrouseHtr on April 21, 2008, 19:00:15 PM
You should also look into furled leaders. Lots less knots and better turnover.

I think there is a poll here about that...
Furled leaders are awesome for dries, you're right.
But it stops there.
They are way too supple for nymphing, and won't turn over a clouser or big bass bug at all. I've built them from 20# flouro and they are still to supple to turn big flies.

Upside is they are cheap to build. (it does take about 80 yards to build an 8 foot leader, but thread is cheap)
You can build a jig for about five bucks and have at it.
When you get three of four under your belt you should be able to build one in less than ten minutes, including going to the fridge to get another beer.
There is plenty of stuff on the web to get you started.

MtnGrouseHtr

Tx,
      I disagree about the stiffness of furled leaders. I made up a dozen furled leaders for Salmon fishing in Alaska last year. Used one strand of braided(10lb) and the rest mono(Maxima 4lb). We used them to throw heavy size 2/0 streamers to Silvers with no problem. Absolutely outperformed the tapered and knotted leaders our group tried. The secret to getting good stiffness is the tightness of the furl. (man that sounds pornographic) ;hb 

You are right about thread based furled leaders though, they are really supple.

Txfly

Did you use maxima to tie them?...I hadn't tried that.
I've wound them tighter than..well we don't need to go there.
They always colapse...even the "custom saltwater" ones that have been given to me.
Like to hear more.