today i went to stonebridge and caught yet one more trout (yey) and i was using a dropper with a buzzer and some kind of beetle and got home and thought hmmmmmmmm i need to know how to tie the dropper knot so i learnt how to do it and i was wandering if any one can tell me what distance to use between my dropper fly and my end fly so if people can give me some info on what distance to use that would be grate.

Here is what I have found to be an easy way. Measure a piece of leader material by stretching your arms as far apart as you can. Do it twice and join them with a three or four turn water knot. Gives you a leader about 10' long with a dropper dead centre. If you make the piece nearer the fly line a couple of feet longer you will have a perfectly usable but simple leader.

fossil ,just a question ,why add another 2 feet to the bit nearer the fly line?
Im not saying its wrong its just a question and only that.

I would say in answer to your question taishiroy,it would depend on what depth of water you are fishing in.My set up that i use differs to the norm that are advised and I have my own reasons for the way that i set up my leaders,it works for me,and also fossil has given you a good guide on it .There are many other ways to set them up and not knowing your experience i would keep it simple and then learn from there till you find the way that works best for you.Nothing is set in stone in fly fishing and thats what makes it fun.well done on your fish.

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Kevin

Hi taishiroy08

Some good info here hope it helps and is what your looking for...

http://www.fishandfly.co.uk/ffedit0501.html

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Cheers
Wiz

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Just to make the section from flyline to first fly longer. Total leader ends up about 12 -13' long with 7-8' to the dropper. Just find this is a length that I can handle comfortably. In practice what I do is make the first section of arms length with a heavier b/s, add 3 - 4' of my final leader material, then add final arms length to incorparate dropper. The extra length gives me a little more confidence and allows me to taper the sections slightly but retain the same material for tippet and dropper.

Quite happy to use two equal lengths of similar material at times, and certainly would think that this is a good starting point for someone starting out to use a dropper.

I tend to use only one dropper myself as I am not the world's best caster and would certainly struggle with tangles etc. The above, at the minute, seems to work OK for me.

Hi fossil
thought that was why but just wanted to make sure and if you are happy with it and it works for you then dont change it.quite right.
I must admit I have a problem with this long leader lark upto 20ft and I understand the reasons as you said,but for me its a bit outdated now with flurocarbon which is supposed to be invisible in water so the need of a leader set up of 20ft shouldnt be needed .again if you only have a floating line and fishing in 20ft or more of water and want to get down quick then i can see the point.I have never in my life fished anything more than 12 ft approx in leader length and that has done me well.obviously it will depend on how many flies you use aswell.But I know very good compy anglers who fish 20ft leaders with one blob and an indicator,which i cant see the point of.saying that they do catch so you cant knock it.

Which brings out the point of ,Is there really a set method for tying up your leader set up? or does it come down to what works for you may not work for someone else?

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Kevin

I am certainly more at the 12 than 20 feet leader stage. My thinking is just that for 12 feet I would rather split that 7'/5' in favour of distance form line end as opposed to 6/6'. Using the simple method the length drops after tying dropper knots to about 10' in total with the dropper halfway. Useful I would have thought for a beginner.

OK. Thanks every one for all your help in this. I will try the tip about my arms next time.
the link was good to read too wizard.
If any of you are off to the meet in cumbria i might see you if my dad can take me.