Hi, apologies for what is probably a dumb question...

If I'm tying a tapered leader of 7lb down to 5lb, would the dropper come from the tag end of the 7lb section, or the 5lb section?

TIA.

The dropper is the tag end of the 7lb.

If using a 3 turn water knot for your join.always cut the tag nearest the flyline.In fact the advice is good for any knot

Jim

__________________
The Fishermans Friend is the Flirty Fly,Fickle Food for Fleeting Fish.

Thanks guys!

Is there an ideal dropper length? Presumably, too long and it could lead to tangles?

It will probably wrap around the main line no matter what length.but I like my droppers to be about 6''.

Jim

__________________
The Fishermans Friend is the Flirty Fly,Fickle Food for Fleeting Fish.

Down to personal choice and how many times you change the dropper fly.
Some say 12 inch others will say 2 to 4 inch. Start long and finish short and see which suits you.

I would question the advantages of tying a tapered leader of 7lb to 5lb. I doubt you would gain much over having a straight through leader of either strain.

__________________
"Take not out your 'ounds on a werry windy day" Surtees.

Should the breaking strains for the various sections of a tapered leader be vastly different to each other?

depends on the diameter.
some folks mix materials from say nylon to flouro or co-polymer and vice versa, is just what they feel good with, you can actually use a thicker diameter nylon as first part, and step down to much thinner flouro, but still at same breaking strain.
diameter should reduce through each dropper knot, to aid turnover.
Me? I only ever use the same straight through, unless am salt water fishing with one fly, no droppers, and then, and only then, might use the more expensive manufactured tapered leaders, designed for job.
regards
bert