Leader Formulas

FAOL Community Fly Anglers Online
1

Anyone have a good reference for knotted leader formulas? Anyone tie their own and why?

2

http://globalflyfisher.com/fishbetter/leadercalc/download.php

I’ve only been tying my own leaders for a year or so now but I like it as it’s just one more “do it yourself” element to flyfishing. Now I have a fly I tied on a leader I made connected to a rod I built. Sorta nice when it all comes together.

It also allows you to experiment with different butt, middle and tip combinations and once you’re past the initial investment I think you’ll save money overall.

3

heres a place that has tons of formulas

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=leader+formulas&aq=o&oq=&aqi=

4

I tie to save money.

To keep it simple and to to use fewer knots, I use only two formulas. For most situations I go: 60%, 20%, 20%. If I want a more supple leader I go 40%, 20%, $40%.

But I am not a scientific angler.

Randy

5

I tie them for 2 reasons - I like a leader without a loop and they are cheaper, especially fluorocarbon. I find that without a loop, I am no longer hanging up when the leader loop comes through the ferrel.

The leader fromula that I use is as follows - Butt section is X, then 1/2X, and then 1/4X. If butt is 6 feet then add 3 feet and then add 18" and then 18 to 24" of tippet. For 6 to 8wts, start with 25#, then 20#, and then 15# test. For 4-5 wts use 20-15-12 or 10#, and for 3 or less use 15-12-10#. I use Orvis Mirage for my flouro and Maxima Clear for my regular leaders. Both are good and stiff.

I use a nail knot to the fly line and then all blood knots for the rest of the leader. After you tie a knot, hold the leader in each had about 6" away from the knot. With the leader bent so it forms a “bell”, roll the leader back and forth. If the bell holds its shape, then the test you are using is okay. If the bell does not stay rounded, then the test of the smaller line is too small. You don’t want “hinges”.

I was taught this by Brian Flechsig (Mad River Outfitters) who learned it from Flip and Lefty.

6

I’ve tied all my own leaders for over 20 years
I fish a lot of different water so I use a number of leaders of all lenghts and diameters… it just makes sense to tie my own.
Besides I’m to cheap to buy them
When I started I used the formulas that came with the ‘kit’
But in recent years I use formulas I’ve developed on my own

7

I furl my own leaders. It’s way cheaper and way easier. I’m a huge fan of furled leaders!

8

globalflyfisher is a great way to start. Tons of info with their leadercalc pgm.

9

I use a general formula that each successive length is 2-4 thousandths smaller and 1/2 to 2/3 of the preceeding length.(1/2 makes it turn over harder than 2/3) The butt diameter is dictated by the line, flies and wind conditions and it is generally .023 to .019 dia and 48 to 60" long —after getting to about .007, I tie a small perfection loop and my tippet to that.

10

You asked! :wink: Thanks to George Harvey and more…

http://www.flyfisherman.com/skills/50formulas.pdf

http://www.flyfisherman.com/skills/leadercalc.xls

http://globalflyfisher.com/fishbetter/leadercalc/
http://globalflyfisher.com/fishbetter/leadercalc/download.php

http://www.rackelhanen.com/eng/10058.htm

http://cvff.org/leaders.html

http://www.riseformstudio.tv/leader_formula.html

http://hipwader.com/2003/leader-formula-chart

http://www.flyfishingjacksonhole.com/library/leaders_and_formulas.htm

http://www.flyfishusa.com/tackle-tips/leaders/about-leaders.html

11

Steve, I didn’t know you joined up. Welcome! That globalflyfisher site is excellent. I just started checking it out and there’s a lot of great info.

12

Thanks all for all the info so far. Most of the info I saw is for mono leaders. Is flourocarbon interchangeable as long as the diameters are the same? I am guessing not, but so far I haven’t seen and strictly flouro formulas.

13

Dave - The “economical way” to use fluorocarbon in your leader is to add fluorocarbon tippet to the end of a mono butt section. The Borger Uni Leader formula I sent you works just fine that way. I tried using triple surgeon’s knots instead of the double ones, but it didn’t make any difference to me. Just wet your knots and cinch them up slowly, and you’ll be fine.

Typically, using that formula, I’d only use fluorocarbon for the 4X. I seldom use fluoro for dries, and this makes the switch quick and easy (and cheap).

14

Hey Steve
I heard that Oatka and Spring are fishing very well lately. I have to plan a trip there soon.

15

http://www.hookhack.com/handtiedleaders.html

Ron

16

Thanks Ron, more great info!

17

I really want to do it, but haven’t yet. There are really cool materials that will cast and present a bit differently. It’s just more fun you can have by making your own stuff!

Good luck. Some people use a blood knot tool to help them when tying these.

Ron

18

Thanks CJ - I’ll have to plan something too. It’d be nice if the damn temp would get above freezing on a weekend though!!!