Homemade Leaders

[springfieldFlyFisher]

You all may have been over this before but it doesn't hurt to ask. Looking to save some money and was thinking about makeing my own leaders. I was wondering what brand/s to use and what lb test/s. Im sure it varies depending on where you are fishing. Also what knots do you prefer.

[Trout Commander]

What types of applications would you be using them in?

I personally use Berkley Vanish in 6 or 8 lb for small and lightweight rigs. It casts fine with out building it into a leader. If I am throwing something heavier and cannot turn it over with a single strand of Vanish I twist it into a leader. There is a very good thread with a video link around here some where. That is the method I use.

For throwing big heaver streamers I use the same twisting technique and have had good luck with 20lb mono. It is probably over kill for most applications but I already had a big spool of it laying around.

Hope this helps and you can also use the search function built in here or Google to find other threads on the site (to use Google follow your search terms with "site:www.ozarkanglers.com/forums"). I prefer to use Google to do a general search of the site because of the preview of text that is displayed under the title.

[B-Ray]

As Far as Knots, learn to tie a bloodknot, without any tools. Learn to tie it in the dark, and with cold hands. Practice, practice, practice.

This will pay off big time if you plan on persuing flyfishing as a passion.

D.

[springfieldFlyFisher]

Thanks for the all the tips and advice

[Brian Wise]

I tend to have a few knotted leaders on me all the time. I really, really like having the ability to taper a super long leader and then turn around and have a super short leader that balances real well. I went for probably a year tying all of my own leaders and used Maxima in 20, 18, 15, 12, 8, 6 and 4 lb (added 10 to it later for those short streamer leaders) If you do it right it is an investment as it is pretty expensive getting all of those spools and if you don't taper right no matter what you are casting it will hinge and act really funny. I used LeaderCalc to start with and it gave a ton of different types of leaders and the exact length you need for each piece which is very nice, after that I just kind of eyeballed it.

Looking back, I very seriously doubt I would have spent the money on the seperate spools if I weren't going through dozens per year with guiding. But on the plus side.....I can tie a blood knot behind my back while whistling dixie.

Brian

[troutfiend1985]

You all may have been over this before but it doesn't hurt to ask. Looking to save some money and was thinking about makeing my own leaders. I was wondering what brand/s to use and what lb test/s. Im sure it varies depending on where you are fishing. Also what knots do you prefer.

You could always try to make furled leaders. You could probably get someone on here to tell you the deminsions of the jig, etc.

I don't make furled leaders per se, but I make these twisted leaders. The only thing I like about them are, they're cheap, they turnover well and I have not had one single wind knot while using them(granted it's only been two times). I posted the video of how to make twisted leaders on a previous thread under the general anlging discussion. However this summer I'm planning on making some true furled leaders to see if there are any differences.

[springfieldFlyFisher]

I practiced making some twisted leaders last night and was amazed how simple they were...Excited to try them out. Also practiced tying blood knots till I couldn't take anymore haha. Thanks for all the info.

[Zach Bearden]

I have 25, 20, 15 lb Maxima Chameleon then 10lb tippet then run my tippet off that. I will give you dimensions for this if you're interested but my leaders are around 15ft long.