Leader length ?

[fishinwrench]

I almost always use a 9 ft. Umpqua leader but the kink in the butt that develops when the fly is in the hook holder and leader bent around the tip guide (eating lunch, or changing spots) could be eliminated if I shorten up to 7 1/2ft. (with a 8'6" rod)

How important do you think 18 inches of leader butt is ? I hate that kink, it effects accuracy, drift angle, and causes strike detection problems (I don't use bobbers/or the more PC term "indicators").

The other "fix" i considered was relocating the hook keeper to the reel seat...or reel, thereby only having to alter the leader 6-8 inches.

I just want that leader to stay straight, without kinks or bends that are hard to straighten out...those leader straighteners don't do the trick either, they will smooth out the coils, but not a kink like you get when the leader is bent over the tip guide for 20 minutes.

[jjtroutbum]

What about tippet ? if there is 24 or so inchs added to the end of your leader that means less diamater line which means its less difficult to straighten I use a rubber leader straighter that I keep on my vest. I little friction buy running the line through or with a lil streatch in my hands usually will straightn any problems I may have. If im storing my rods say rigged in a pick up or in the roof of my van. They will usually be unriged and reeled up so there arent any hangup type of accidents which will really hurt the way a line could perform if it was to get torn or even piericed buy a hook.

JJ

[Terry Beeson]

Holding the ends of the leader and giving it a bit of "stretch" will get rid of a lot of the kinks and bends. And, yes, you should be using tippet on the end of the leader - especially if you change flies as often as I sometimes do....

[Gavin]

If your leader is longer than your rod, hook your fly on one of the line guides and loop the rest around the reel foot.Cheers.

[Guest flyfishBDS]

Keeping the flyline out of the tip, rather than the leader going through the guide, is a much better option. Easier to start casting, no kink.

Also I have never wound a leader that tight I got a kink, or perhaps Im just not observant enough lol

But I'd follow gavin's advice hook the fly in a guide that you can reach with your non-rod hand, as high up the rod as you can.

bring the leader around the real seat (not the spool), wind up with just enough tension so it stays put

To take it off, ease off the tension, slip the leader free and rap the top of the rod sharply with your free hand. The fly should fall free.

To your other question, On Beaver tailwater Im taking out store away from the 7 1/2' leaders, we recommend 9' or 10' with 3' of tippet. The reason they produce way more fish.

Cheers

Steve