Questions/Concerns About Harvey Leader Formulas

[randyflycaster]

I tied two 5x leaders to Harvey's formula. When I cast my flies, however, the leader hardly turned over and the flies landed close to the end of the line.
Maybe this good because there's a lot of slack in the leader and this will eliminate micro-drag, but I'm concerned that I'll end up with a lot of tangles in
my leader.

Should the Harvey leader turn over?

Thanks,

Randy

[johnstoeckel]

Yes, it should turnover. You should have "S" curves in the leader which will provide slack. But not the whole leader piled up at the end of the line.

The Harvey leader directions that I recall included tying a longer tippet, test casting, and then reducing the tippet length as needed to turnover with nice S curves. This, of course, depends on fly size / air resistance, line, casting style, etc.

I think one of the great benefits of tying your own leaders is that you learn more about leader design and can make adjustments to suite your style.

[randyflycaster]

Thanks John. I'll try a shorter tippet.

Randy

[Chuck441]

I read a piece by Mr. Harvey where he said he never used a tippet smaller than 4X. Hmmm. -Chuck

[Ray]

What size fly are you using? I use 5x for flies 16 and smaller.
The tippet may not be able to turn over a large or heavy dressed fly.

[randyflycaster]

Size 18 and 20. Building these leaders is such a pain. I wonder if it's really worth it.

Randy