Hand Tied Leaders

[wanabeflyer]

Hi there, I was just wondering if anyone ties their own leaders anymore? If so, what do you use?

Thanks

[OKFlyFisher44]

Maxima or Frog Hair is great stuff to use. Maxima is cheaper overall, no matter if you buy the leader kit or buy individual spools. There are some really cool leader formula tools available on the 'net, they use Excel for the basis of the program. You can put in how long of a leader, what size tippet, etc....and it'll give you specs to build off of.

I don't hand-tie all my leaders but I have a few formulas I use to rebuild a tapered leader that I've bought over the counter once I've used up the tippet section. If you fish ALL the time, I think it would save you money over time as long as the cost of the materials doesn't sky-rocket over time. Plus its just another intimate part of the sport...

[3wt]

Personally, I think hand tied is pretty silly at this point. Taperd mono leaders are generally terrific, especially for learning. Do your best to not destry the butt section of them and you'll be good for a while. They're a bit pricey I guess, but you get better at getting life out of them as you learn. I really can't imagine trying to avoid big messes with fully knotted leaders. Those knots seem like great snag points to start a great big snarled mess.

Try to learn to tie on tippet, when I was starting I threw out perfectly good $4.00 a pop leaders due to loss of fine enough tip. In fact, cut off about 18" of a new leader and tie on tippet first thing. Also buy Rio and you won't be dissapointed.

If you really want to try a handmade version look into making furled leaders. Looks like everybody that uses them loves them. I haven't tried yet, but it's my next project. Looks like you'll need to build a jig and buy some mono or tying thread, and then learn.

[zsmith62]

Where are you guys finding the formulas for the leaders?

I've been interested for a while, but never got around to doing it. I don't really know how much money it would really save (just like tying flies), but it just seems like another way to really get more "involved" with your fishing.

[ness]

Where are you guys finding the formulas for the leaders?

I've been interested for a while, but never got around to doing it. I don't really know how much money it would really save (just like tying flies), but it just seems like another way to really get more "involved" with your fishing.

Zach,

I think you've got the idea -- it's not just about saving $$. It's about getting your head more into what's going on. You could probably learn a few things and improve your game, if you went to the trouble. Me, maybe someday. But for now I do store-bought and at most replace/repair them. I ought to slow down and be a little more smart with my leaders and tippet, but I don't.

Google George Harvey dry fly leader -- that'll probably get you on the trail for some recipes.

[OKFlyFisher44]

Google "Leader Calc" and it should take you to an Excel program that you can download. There are also spec sheets all over the internet for several basic leaders. Heck, if you've got some time....just Google "hand-tied tapered leaders" and you'll find HOURS of reading. I killed an entire afternoon a while back reading up on the topic...it was kind of ridiculous. Thats when I stumbled upon the LeaderCalc program.

If you can't find it...shoot me your email address and I'll email it to you. I've got it saved on my computer....

I agree with ya guys...I don't think you'd really save much money by doing it. Modern tapered mono leaders are great today. But its kind of like tying flies...just another way to get more involved in the sport. I don't tie ALL my own flies, just my favorite patterns that I use a lot here in the Ozarks. Probably would be kind of handy to have a couple of spare hand-tied leaders in the vest or pack if the need arised, instead of having to drive back to the nearest fly shop because you got your leader in a tangled mess. But then again, I always have a spare leader in my waistpack...so yeah...whatever.

I'm with 3wt though...learn a few simple knots and just keep rebuilding your tapered leaders. Much easier....

[catman]

Here's 2 sites & info below..

http://www.jdunns.com/personal/java_leader_calc.html

http://www.hookhack.com/handtiedleaders.html#Anchor-45598

Maxima leader material given in POUND TEST and unlabeled below. Rio tippet is labeled with name and “X” rating.

1. 7’ – 4 X

14” 25 #

14” 20

14” 15

12” 10

12” 6

18” 4x Rio

2. 7 1/2’ – 6 X

14” 25 #

14” 20

14” 15

10” 10

10” 6

10” 4x Rio

18” 6x Rio

3. 7 1/2’ 5 X

14” 25 #

14” 20

14” 15

10” 10

10” 6

10” 4x Rio

18” 5x Rio

4. 6’ 1 X

14” 25 #

14” 20

14” 15

10” 10

10” 8

10” 6

5. 8 1/2’ – 5/6 X

14” 25 #

14” 20

14” 15

10” 10

10” 8

10” 6

12” 4x Rio

18” 5/6x Rio

6. 8 1/2’ – 4 X

16” 25 #

16” 20

16” 15

12” 10

12” 8

12” 6

18” 4x Rio

7. 9’ – 4 X

18” 25 #

18” 20

18” 15

12” 10

12” 8

12” 6

18” 4x Rio

add 5x Rio dropper tippet to dry fly

8. 9’ – 5/6 X

14” 25 #

14” 20

14” 15

12” 10

12” 8

12” 6

12” 4x Rio

18” 5/6x Rio

9. 10’ – 5/6X

18” 25 #

16” 20

16” 15

14” 10

12” 8

12” 6

12” 4x Rio

20” 5/6x Rio

10.11 1/2’ – 5/6 X

20” 25 #

19” 20

19” 15

16” 10

14” 8

14” 6

14” 4x Rio

22” 5/6x Rio

# 4 = Streamer leader for # 10 - 4 size streamers

# 6 & # 7 = My favorite small stream leaders.

# 7 = Small steam leader for use with droppers tied to dry fly.