I build both 7’6 and 9’ leaders on my 8’ long jig board. After a few trial and error starts I was able to adjust my leader formulas using simple math and a calculator.
My calculate my leader length using the total length of the finished leader, including monofiliment tippet sections. so the 8’ board is long enough to produce the furled butt section of a 9’ leader.
The mono tippet is about 25% of the total leader length and is made from sections of mono filament tippet material, the diameter adjusted in three steps. 75% of the total length is made from a furled butt of 6/0 tying thread.
For example on a 7’-6 6x leader the tippet has 6" of 2x, 6" of 4x, 18" of 6x.
For a 9’ 6x I use 8" of 2x, 8" of 4x, and 20" 6x
I think you could build a furled section of any size, length or taper. However, changing these parameters will effect the way it casts. I wanted leaders optimized for easy turn over and delicate presentations to fish small dry flies and find either the 7’-6 or 9’ work well.
If I were throwing big streamers I would shorten the length or significantly increase the reletive diameter by including more thread strands in the bundles.
Ducksterman;
Not supposed to do this, but get some of Fish’n Nick’s leaders. I’ve ordered 4 as his sample is AWSOME!! A 12 year old that ties flys and leaders needs our support so he can buy that rod kit he wants to build!!
Wish I was doing that when I was 12!!
JC & LF I know this in not for commercial use so can you forgive me hyping a young menbers quest?
Don’t forget the Michigan Fish-In August 14th to the 20th. The Holy Water’s of the Au Sable await you!!
I’ve only got one ‘peg board’ and produce one size leader now. I did trial and error a few times to find the right size for me and have settled on a 7’+/- furled section for simplicity.
I fish a 4, 6, and 8 wt - and can adjust the material to use for each. 9’ leader is my typical length total, with a 2’ tippet section. If I’m looking for a longer leader, I can adjust the tippet section as necessary.
this isn’t a cut and dry method, but it works for me
I use the method described at [url=http://www.canerod.com/rodmakers/tips/furled/furled.html:ddafc]http://www.canerod.com/rodmakers/tips/furled/furled.html[/url:ddafc]
This is a method where the leader is twisted and furled in one piece. Their board has three different setups for making different length leaders. there is a 8’, 10’ and 12’Total Leader lengths. The actual furled part is a about 3/4 of the total length. I primarily use the 10’ length but have built several of the other lengths. the 12’ can actually turn over about a 16-18’ total leader quite nicely.
I know you guys probably know this, but there are those who might miss the sublties: the furled leader is almost always a leader-butt, meant to work with a tippet (which may or may not be stepped down). The length of the furled leader is usually reported as just the butt length, assuming an angler will add tippet, but sometimes the entire combo (furled leader-butt and its tippet) are used when refering to length.
Just to clear up any confusion… or create more, as the case may be - grin.
For myself, where my fishing is pretty much within a small bandwith (2 wt to 6wt, small streams and rivers, small mountain ponds) most of the time, I’ve settled on a 5 to 6-ft leader (butt) with 3 or 4 feet of tippet. Should I fish the Henry’s Fork regularly, or go to salt more, etc., I might want some other length, but for now I’m quite happy.
My “Furled Leader Board” is 16 feet/4.87 meters in length (hinged in the middle). With a this length I can do two shorter furled leaders, in one assembly operation.
My Furled Leaders, are measured without the tippet section included.
The nice aspect of furled leaders is the diameter (number of strands of thread), can be any sequence that you wish. The size of thickness of the thread and its material is your choice also.
I prefer using polyester thread, as it is not elastic, there more than enough elasticity in the furled leader, by it construction. Also polyester takes a color dye nicely.
I dip the constructed furled (polyester)leaders into a can of varnish, to saturate their the inner core of the furled leader, and the threads. This saturation, eliminates the thread become from absorbing water. I hang the dipped furled leaders with weight on the ends to drip dry into pie tins. Once the excess varnish is done dripping, I wipe the furled leaders with a damp rag that has varnish in the cloth. This damp varnish rag, gives the surface a smoother finish.
Reason for using varnish is th eliminate some of the elasticity of the furled leader, and to give the furled leader some “Backbone” for casting into a wind. I have found the use of varnish in the furled leader improves the casting, and does not effect the lines ability of laying on the water surface (without additional flotation ointments).
The varnish, also will cause a furled leader constructed from white polyester thread, to become translucent. I also like using two colors of thread, constructing furled leaders. Some of my favorite are Olive,Brown, Olive/Rust, Olive/Gray, White/Primrose. ~Parnelli
Jack Hise…keep the cards and letters coming, fine business emails today LOL. I’m gonna order some of the kids leaders too. Thanks for reminding me…opps…better take our business off line. Jonezee
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