Tim, those are the number of strands in each section.

acorbin, loops on both ends help connect the leader to the fly line and also, at the small end, provide a means of connecting tippet. Furled leaders are designed to have 2-6 feet of tippet attached, they are incomplete without tippet. So your 6 inches was a good start but you really want to add a couple of feet especially if fishing dry.

Often I'll add 2 feet of 4X and then another 2 feet of 5 or 6X tippet.

Al

[This message has been edited by dryflie (edited 28 June 2005).]