Hi. Fairly new to flyfishing, up to now I have always used tapered leaders. I now fancy being a little more flexible re Leader length etc. and want to make my own Leaders/Tippets. I would appreciate any advice on best materials/thicknesses/knots. I usually fish small still waters. Many Thanks. Parrot.

Can get all technical (google Leader Calc 2007) but need to know rod length and what your fishing for, how and what you are fishing (i.e. dry, wet etc)

For 9ft rod, leader should vary (depending on circumstances such as how clear water is or how many flies on the leader) from 9ft to 15ft (rough rule is 1x to 1.5x rod length).

Rough rule of thumb for taper is 40% butt, 30% mid high bs, 20%mid low bs, 10% tippet plus 2ft extra tippet all as one piece.

So for a 12ft leader for a light rod (say 3wt), it would be 4ft 15lb, 3ft 10lb, 2ft 7lb, one foot 4lb plus 2 foot 4lb.

For a heavier rod (say 5wt) it would be 4ft 20lb, 3ft 15lb, 2ft 10lb, 1ft 7lb plus 2ft 7lb.

Can vary and experiment as you think best (wait to you hear about furled leaders and start on those as well), but that is a good starting place.

Materials, I would start of with copolymer, you can get the stuff for fly fishing (Fulling Mill CP, Rio, etc) or pay half the price and get Ultima Power Match (£4.50/100m) or similar.

Knots, go for three to five turn water knots for joining lengths together and 5 or 6 turn Pitzen (16-20) knot for tippet to hook.

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Just My Tuppenceworth!!

Hi,

I'm also fairly new to fly fishing and i am looking for the same advice.

I have been using Stroft 6-7lb breaking strain all the way through. This was recomended by Stockport Fly Fishing shop & found it to really good. It has never snapped and is a very low diameter line.

There is a range of sizes and I used the 7-8lb, but found 6-7lb better.

Its about £6-8 in the shops for a spool, but buy it from ebay now for about £4.

There are matrix's on the internet which tell you how to break your leaders down, but they can very confusing.(might just be me)

I always find if you ask club members when visiting a water or even go into your local shop, they will always take the time and show you. (at the end of the day, you will always end buying somthing when you in there ;-)

Since starting out, i have found that just asking fellow fly fishermen for advice and tips always works.

One guy said to me.''The art is 100+s of years old even 1000's as the egyptians started fishing with canes,silk lines and hooks like nails with feathers attached. Did they worry about leaders and rods and equipment etc. Go with your instinct and what you think is best, look around at the wind and what is falling onto the water. If your not catching, try something new or out of the ordinary and you will be pleasantly surprised. This way you will slowly learn the art.'' He was in his 70's using a cane rod and a large reel and was pulling them out for fun.

But like yourself i would love to know how to create and build the right leaders
for myself.

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I am not against golf, since I cannot but suspect it keeps armies of the unworthy from discovering trout... ~Paul O'Neil

This might be helpful.

richard

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Who resides on the right bank of the Derbyshire Wye and is lulled to sleep each night by the mutterings of a weir, dreaming that "When the rivers and their inhabitants come first, we ALL win..."

I love chatting to people like this!! Always put a different perspective on things and have a few anecdotes from the fishing careers that raise a smile

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Those who forget history are condemned to repeat it

I find that the best method is to start off with a 7.5ft tapered mono leader (from Platinum Tackle on here at well under £1 each), tie a small ring into the end, then add tippet as required. I attach the tapered leader to the fly line with a needle knot and this will last for many outings. When it does finally have to be replaced all you are sacrificing is an inch or so of level tip. Alternatively, strip off two or three inches of fly line coating, double the core back and whip and glue the resulting loop. Then tie a perfection loop in the butt of the leader and connect the two in the usual manner.
Cheers,
Angus

Try this guys. This is part of an historical thread on Leaders.

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"A traditional wet fly addict"

Uk representative and Instructor for Fly Fishing Masters - www.flyfishingmasters.co.uk

Distributor for Terenzio Silk and Artificial Silk Fly Lines - Pay distributor retail price.

Folks. Many Thanks for this. It has certainly given me something to experiment with. I will let you know how I get on. Never tried a ring to connect the tippett to so I will try that as well.

This is possibly one of the best posts on leader construction that i have yet seen on this forum. These formulae, are about spot on, and with minor adjustments for individual situations, should stand you in good stead throughout your entire river fishing life... I like it.. plain and simple, no bull, just good practical advice. Not much that i could add to this .