Does anyone tie there own leaders. If so do you have suggestions for books or sample leaders.
Mike
Hi Mike. I have to learn to do hyperlinks properly, but you want to go to globalflyfisher.com/fishbetter/leadercalc. You need excel to run this workbook, but it is a very comprehensive leader calculation program featuring many of the classics as well as situational leader formulas. With this info, you could spend a lifetime playing with them. LOL. The author even has a free download available, so you can put it in your flyfishing directory and never worry about it again!!
Bob
I tie my own leaders and sell them the above mentioned site is probably your best site to go to. plenty of charts to go by lots to read and learn but oh what nice leaders. I am also starting to build furled leaders
Yeah, go for the LeaderCalc thing … you can work out a million different combinations.
When you start making your own leaders, though, keep it somewhat simple. Some of these things have something like 10 sections for a 9-foot 5X leader, and that seems like overkill.
Tie up some basic ones and try them out lawn casting to see if they turn over the way you want.
I like to use Maxima chameleon, at least for the butt and middle sections of the leader. It’s stiff and turns over well.
With Maxima, the stated diameter printed on the spool may vary from the actual diameter, so you probably want to get one of those little round gauges they sell for $9 or whatever.
Leader butts should be about 2/3 diameter of your flyline, if memory serves. So if the end of your flyline is .33, the leader butt should be around .22, give or take, depending on stiffness or suppleness of butt material. You’ll need to experiment a bit to see what works for you and your style of casting and your quarry (trout/bass/panfish/salmon/stripers…)
For the nymph and wetfly or streamer leaders I tie, I use all Maxima, down to 2X or 4X.
For dry fly leaders, I usually use something real supple down to 5X or 6X, like Frog Hair, for the final two sections… this allows tippet sections to sort of collapse into the ‘S’ curves you want for drag-free floats when fishing streams.
I use blood knots on the butt and midsections… then double or triple surgeon’s knots on tippets. If you have a cup of water handy, then just dip the knot in water and tighten so the friction doesn’t weaken them.
Also, you may want to wrap some masking tape around your fingers because the leader material can cut your fingers as you tie knots and the cuts take awhile to heal.
I’m sure there’s a million preferences on leader construction… what I’ve offered is my .02… your mileage may vary.
Good luck,
rjj
[This message has been edited by rjj (edited 08 March 2006).]