For the majority of fishing I do I keep it simple and easy to do. When fishing for bass, that's on the surface (poppers) or under the surface, nymphs, streamers or wet flies, I do a leader of 20# mono of about 5 1/2' and tying on about 3 1/2' of 6# mono. Follow he same pattern for trout, only doing the same lengths of 12# mono and tying on 4# mono. Only when fishing dry flies do I use a store bought tapered leader, and then usually tying on a 5X tippet.

Seems to work for the girls I go with.