Leader

[Coach]

I was just reading the post about strike indicators and I noticed one talk about leader. I have always struggled to find the perfect leader combinations when making my own and am not sure about some of the store bought tapered leaders I have purchased. I consider myself to be a good caster but have had problems that I believe the leader is causing.

Mentioned in the post was the "George Harvey formula" for making leader. Anyone want to explain this one (I am going out on a limb here and probably this is something I should know and look stupid)or any other favorite methods of leader selection.

[Bobinmich]

I started using Blue Sky furled leaders about a year ago and never looked back.

[Jeremy]

Coach,
These are where I got into the Harvey Leader styles. Scroll down for the two quiet often used.

Geo. H. leader's are generally the sort that when cast, give more slack "squiggles" to give a little longer drift.

http://www.finefishing.com/1flyfish/equ ... design.htm

Jeremy.

[ducksterman]

Coach,
These are where I got into the Harvey Leader styles. Scroll down for the two quiet often used.

Geo. H. leader's are generally the sort that when cast, give more slack "squiggles" to give a little longer drift.

http://www.finefishing.com/1flyfish/equ ... design.htm

Jeremy.

I'm not being smart axx here...I really want to know...is that the same as saying they don't turn over the fly as well as some others...or are there other reasons?

[dudley]

duckster,

the "added squiggles" are to decrease micro-drag

[ducksterman]

dudley, I know ...I'm wondering if the added squiggles are just the result of the leader not really turning over the fly?

[dudley]

built in above the tippet

[Coach]

This is an interesting post in that I received some great information that I printed out, but I kind of was a bit stumped on the "squiggle" talk. I get squiggles but I am trying to tie a leader that will take a lot of squiggles out and give me a smooth straight line and a good roll and drop of the fly.

Keep this up, I am learning from your conversations.

[Coach]

I understand what you mean now. I would assume that the length of the tippet would be more important in settling the fly on the water after a good roll made possible by the tappering of the leader.

Tippet and fly size also determine that landing, correct?

[dudley]

Okay
Drag is the enemy of a natural dry fly drift
A slackline cast will eliminate most drag, but drag you may not see, micro-drag, needs a little help.
Go to the link and scroll down to the leader formulas.
You will see that Geo.H goes from hard mono in the butt to soft mono two sections above the tippet.
This is to give the leader stiffness in the butt and extra suppleness (the squiggle part) toward the point for a more natural drift.