Afternoon all

I've been told that it's possible to use a needle knot with a shop bought knotless tapered leader. But too me the reel end of the tapered leader is so thick how is it possible to tie it so it's a neat presentation. (especially when your'e not the neatest of finishers in the world. )


At the moment I use braided loops with a loop to loop to 9ft of 10lb knotless tapered leader with a loop to loop to 6-8ft of 8lb fluro

Any thoughts and Tight Lines

cheers Tom

In theory to get the best turnover of the leader the but of the leader should be the following diameter with respect to the fly line weight;

Line wt 3 = .45/.50mm (.017/.020")
Line wt 4 = .45/.55mm (.019/.021")
Line wt 5 = .50/.55mm (.020/.022")
Line wt 6 = .55/.60mm (.021/.023")
Line wt 7 = .60/.65mm (.022/.024")
Line wt 8 = .60/.65mm (.023/.026")

For a 7 weight, I needle knot an 450mm length of Ø0.60 nylon to the fly line and tie my tapered leader onto that with an albright knot. Ø0.60 is really thick (I think it's about 40lb breaking strain) and it can be difficult to get a decent knot, it will tighten up a lot easier and neater if you submerge the knot in a mug of warm water with some washing up liquid in first.

Try this Knotless Leader connection. It has never let me down.

A blob of Aquasure or similar will prevent water entering the tip.

SharkeyP

__________________
Often thinks not travel widens,
Stay at home the Trout obliges.

Thank you I will apply my newly acquired knowledge to my new fly lines that I hope will arrive before the weekend P.S Respect to photo's of both SharkeyP and weight_forward