Fly fishing leader formula

Gozz · Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 10:17 pm Post subject: Fly fishing leader formula

How's it going guy's.
A mate took me for my first fly fishing trip today and I'm hooked.
We used some of his home made leaders and I'd like to make some for my self.
I looked up a site which had the formula but it was in inches and didn't make any sense to me.
Can any one help with this formula in metric(thickness and length of each length).
Thanks heaps.

Nivlag · Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2009 1:39 pm Post subject:

Gozz,

Glad to hear you liked it.

I found this here on fishnet (see link below) it’s in feet and inches but I’m sure you could work it out.

Cheers, Brett

http://www.fishnet.com.au/default.aspx?id=227&anglerReportId=6058&memberId=9

Bote · Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2009 4:21 pm Post subject:

Sorry to break it to you but fly fishing is all about inches, feet and
pounds. Something to do with American and British influance
on this kind of fishing.
Good idea to do you own leaders but I prefer already made
tapered leaders. Less knots and easier to cast- specially if you just starting fly fishing.
Two trout leaders should set you back about $10 and last few months
if you carefull.
Invest in really, really good tippet material - in flourocarbon and floating (in 4 to 6lb for trout).

Felty · Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 3:55 pm Post subject:

Gozz

I am assuming you are in saltwater.

For most of mine I use 2.5 ft 30lb butt section connected to intermediate line with 7 turn nail knott and a perfection loop or surgeons loop on the other end. Then 2.5ft to 3ft 20lb mid section with biminis on either end. Finally a 3ft 12lb to 15lb mono tippet again with bimini loop. All connected loop to loop. My tippet can vary to as low as 10lb on fussy salmon. If Im chasing permit etc then tippet can go closer to 4 ft and the other two sections closer to 3 ft so total leader is 9 to 10ft versus my normal of about 8 to 9 ft.

For heavier offshore stuff, like chasing longtails, I have 2.5ft 40lb , 2.5ft to 3 ft 30lb and 2.5 to 3 ft 20lb.

Generally using fluorocarbon for the mid and tippet sections. Hope that helps.

Mike

matto · Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 5:37 pm Post subject: re

G'day Gozz

For trout ( wet flys ) I use Maxima Ultra Green monofilament.Four sections which includes the tippet on a weight forward floating 5 weight fly line.

First section 90 CM of 25 LB mono.

Second section 90 CM of 12 LB mono.

Third section 45 CM of 8 LB mono.

Fourth section 90 CM of 6 LB mono ( tippet )
_________________

Gozz · Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 9:48 pm Post subject:

Thanks for your help guys.
Matto that's exactly what I was after.
How long should the tippet be oh and whats the difference between wet and dry leader dimensions..
The day I went out I fished for trout and I managed to catch a little brown about 22cm.
It felt so special catching that little fish and then letting it go.
I have an el cheepo fly rod and reel which I've been practicing casting with and I seem to be getting better.
Once I'm casting really well I would like to buy a good outfit,what kind of $$$ am I looking at for a decent outfit.
Thanks .

Bote · Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 10:26 pm Post subject:

Something like this Pro Angler Stalker setup would be a good start.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200383855689&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Andrew

Would you consider joining Fly fishing club ?
I know you just starting but I think its the best way to learn
about casting, fly tying, equipment and you also get discount on fly gear.
Club trips are great when you get to fish with different fly fishers
and learn their tricks.

matto · Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 8:26 am Post subject: Re:

chrisjc · Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 12:49 pm Post subject:

what are you fishing for? as the others have said what there general pref is for thats a great start .
personaly i have a different leader preference for nearly every single situation i come accross.
fast water nymphing my leaders are short , some times as short as six feet.
still clear water, with selective trout and dries my leaders are up to fifteen feet.
deep bass fishing calls for twisted leaders of about twelve ft.

saltwater can call for shrt tapered leaders so you can still turn over heavy clouser type flies when presenting your fly.

different horses for different courses, but google your quarry and leader types and you will get a good idea of what other people use and find what works for you.
good luck and welcome to the darkside!

action_man · Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 2:42 pm Post subject:

A general rule for leader construction is the rule of thirds. That is... a 9ft leader can be broken into thirds (3ft each) with the middle section broken into thirds again (1ft each)

A typical leader is...

butt section - usually 3ft of 25lb
the middle section is made up of 20, 15 and 10lb each 1ft in length
and the tippet another 3ft of 6-8lb,

You can then add more lighter tippet is desired.

Dont worry too much about wet and dry fly leaders, but generally I would have a longer butt and heavier tippet section when using wets, makes turning over big flies easier.