I need some help putting together a leader for wet fly fishing on streams in my state. Want to use traditional wets and soft hackles! Not experienced enough with droppers and regulations only allow two flies. I will be using 4/5# rods and have lengths of 8 1/2 - 9 - 10 ft. Whatever works best. What is the best way to fish these? Upstream /across and down ? A few of the streams are similar to small rivers. I wish I would have taken some photos the last time I was there to better clarify what I want..

Hope this makes sense guys !!

MD

__________________
"The two best times to fish is when it's rainin' and when it ain't." ~ Patrick F. MacManus ~

Have a look at this video MD. Oliver is king of the wet fly !!!!

Oliver Edwards Wet Fly Fishing - YouTube

Nice video ! He suggests a 5' leader . The leaders I make for normal fishing
is 3' 15lb amnesia - 2' 12lb amnesia then 4-5' of 6 or 4lb to fly. So basically I can stay with the same - but should the dropper be a smaller diameter?

MD

__________________
"The two best times to fish is when it's rainin' and when it ain't." ~ Patrick F. MacManus ~

The advice below was posted by Flyfishwithme on another thread

"Yes, Oliver Edwards set up does work, as does many others. I am teaching people how to use these patterns more effectively and often as not their set up isn't good enough for spider fishing. The leader needs to be long enough to keep the line off the water and minimise any drag. This is the case in both upstream and downstream spider fishing.
This is what I do.
I take a 9'6" 4x leader (I use Frog Hair for two reasons - it has a good taper and thick butt - it is soft enough to 'feel' the flies) and remove 2' from the tip. I then add 30" of 6x (or 5x) tippet leaving a dropper at the knot. To this I add a further 30" of 7x tippet again leaving a dropper at the knot.
This gives you a leader about 12'.
I find that the advantage of starting with a tapered leader is that the leader rolls better as most times there is no false cast (or only one).
Personally, I go out to 15' when I fish them and make up one of my specialist leaders for the job"

I feel honoured to be quoted.
This is right and a longer leader is always better than a shorter one especially when combined with a longer rod. Oliver Edwards does add extra lengths to his 5 foot leader.
To be honest I use Varivas leaders. They come in 7.5', 9.0' and 12'. I like them because they (a) have the right butt thickness to tun over the leader; (c) are semi camouflaged, which I love and (c) are supple which allows the flies to move about. But any leader will do.
I usually use the 12' leader but you can go shorter if the streams are smaller. But I do like longer leaders if you are fishing downstream.
Remember you are only fishing the leader, that is the advantage of a longer rod.
I buy them to 5x and add 6x and 7x sections as above. 30" to 36" is good and only a 3" dropper.
I also hand make some leaders but that s too boring for most people.
PM if you ant any other info.

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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.

I really appreciate it gentlemen - thanks much !! Will probably have questions later .

MD

__________________
"The two best times to fish is when it's rainin' and when it ain't." ~ Patrick F. MacManus ~