Leader systems

Post by **ganman** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 7:17 pm

Just curious what leader setups most fly fishers here use.

Like every year I rig up with a sliced loop and braided leader setup from Orvis. I bought it, the wallet and all about 5 years ago. It allows you interchange floating/sinking and leadcore sections. About the 3rd time out I'll get so frustrated with the junk not turning over right I'll go back to my tried and true hand tied leaders. I use Maxima leader wheels and formulas that have been around decades. Works better for me than any new fangled stuff.

Curious what others use.

Post by **mosquito** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 7:49 pm

With dry flies I use Fenwick 7 1/2 and 9 ft tapered leaders with 2-4 ft of tippet. With nymphs I use stright mono in 6-8 lb test, usually not longer
than 10 ft. With sinking lines I also use stright mono, but not longer than 4-5 ft.

Post by **Todd B.** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 7:37 am

I'd have to say that I'm pretty much the same as mosquito. If you're tying your own, there is a good leader calculator available at http://flyfisherman.com/skills/brleadercalc/.

I'm giong to give furled leaders a try this year as well, after hearing lots of interesting reviews about them.

Post by **ganman** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 11:39 am

I used to measure each piece but now I just eyeball it. Maxima has the right stiffness although for the tippet I use something softer usually.

I find a 40% butt section, 30% stepped down section and 30% tippet works about right.

I nail knot a permanant 2 ft heavy section right to my fly line and attach my leader to that.

Post by **Fishboy** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 6:43 am

Ganman, what line weight are you casting with your Orvis system?

Post by **ganman** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 10:20 am

I've tried them over the years on 3,4,5 and 6 weight rods. Before the Orvis setup I used a similar product from a British outfit called Sue Burgess for awhile. I found them better.

The floating leaders work OK with wets, small nymphs and small dry flies but anything 14 or larger or in a wind and they don't turn over...at least for me. The weighted sections cast a little better than split shot I find but not enough to be switching all the time. Anyway just about all my fly fishing is done in NY with dry flies.