Advice on leader

[simon-ayre]

Have been using 9 ft of 8lb flourocarbon from fly line to fly.
Have decided this may have made the fish wary so have bought some 5lb green sub surface today is this just tied directly to my braided loop and to the fly say at nine foot again or is this where im going wrong

 

[sless]

thats about right
i use a longer leader
but 9' sounds ok

 

[nigels]

Hi Simon

I use 15 to 25 foot of airflo sightfree g3 to my first dropper depending on the wind. G3 is expensive but very thin compared with other makes worth every penny.

If your not a confident caster you may struggle with leaders of this length but I would def make yours longer.


regards nigel

 

[sless]

i got told when learning
make the leader the length of the rod
then i went longer later

 

[FluffChucker]

Leaders

Leaders

I totally agree with Nigel. When im pulling a single fly, I always use leaders no less than 25ft. When fishing two flies, have them 12 feet apart and when fishing three, fish 6ft between leader loop and top dropper and 7 foot in between each fly. I would also advise getting some half decent leader material. Don't use sub surface! Get some flurocarbon. Worth every penny and I will guarantee your catch rate will go up. For places than sharpley, I will NEVER fish anything less than 8lb. Even for dries. Don't bother fishing stupid 3 and 4lb leaders. You will just get snapped. I use 10lb for pulling and
8lb for everything else. As for materials, The sightfree g3 (NOT the platinum) is the best I have ever used. just make sure it is stretched before using.

Hope this helps!

Richard

 

[alan]

I used relatively short leaders when I started out but struggled to catch a thing,I got adviced to up my leader to 15' plus by a mate and I started getting into fish,I also watched a couple of locals fishing in Scotland when I started out and they gave me similar advice but due to my lack of experience at the time or maybe arrogance i ignored there help .
Strangley though i bumped into one of them again last summer and we had a bit craic about it,he also helped my son out who struggled with a longer leader and changed his casting style to suit,best help and advice we've had

 

[simon-ayre]

Must admit ive tried a longer leader but get into all sorts of tangles, suppose ill just have to make do till i learn how to cast better

 

[alan]

I found it hard at first mate but it eventually came together,its worth experimenting,i guess some venues might restrict the length of your leader

 

[Charlie_Thompson]

Long leaders are a divil but catch fish, don't even think of fishing teams of flies IMO yet. I've bought a few ready made leaders with droppers on and end up doing a wasp dance outside the car while I'm tackling up and trying to untangle these suckers. One fly one fish 10 pints

 

[seddo]

imho I think you should concentrate on your casting style/tecnique, maybe a couple of lessons from a friend or an instructer, thru' time your casting will improve and you will be able to lengthen your leaders to suit the occasion. Without doubt a long leader is benificial but if you can't get it to turnover correctly you will be spending more time out of the water than in.
Alternatively, if you remain self tought like most anglers, just lengthen your leader as you become more proficient, I don't think there is any short cut that can replace experience.
Having said that, I am not the worlds best caster but I am quite happy as long as I can get a fly in the water.
Maybe I should get a couple of lessons.

 

[bigcod1]

try using berkly vanish m8very good line and very thin i use 8lb like i said very thin but very strong.

 

[simon-ayre]

just ordered some g3 would this also need mud on it to take away the human smells or can it be used without

 

[YoursTruly]

Long Leaders

Long Leaders

I must be doin something wrong!

Simon, you only need to use long leaders when fishing deeper venues, while you are learning use nothing any longer than the length of your rod especially in windy conditions otherwise you will spend more than enough time sorting tangles.
I would definately agree with Fluff about the breaking strains (8lb flouro) two reasons: 1. on most waters it will help prevent fish snapping you. 2. Flouro carbon is a little stiffer than mono and does reduce tangles.

 

[simon-ayre]

I must be doin something wrong!

Simon, you only need to use long leaders when fishing deeper venues, while you are learning use nothing any longer than the length of your rod especially in windy conditions otherwise you will spend more than enough time sorting tangles.
I would definately agree with Fluff about the breaking strains (8lb flouro) two reasons: 1. on most waters it will help prevent fish snapping you. 2. Flouro carbon is a little stiffer than mono and does reduce tangles.

cheers for all the advice managed leaders of about twelve foot today and got two out

 

[JamesC]

I must agree regarding Sub Surface Green, it was good in its day (i.e before floro was available) however now try and stick with floro!

I am not sure what the G3 costs however I tend to buy bulk batches of
uncle jacks from the mail order. I normally use 6lb for pulling 5lb for buzzers/subsurface and 4 lb for dry's.

I think everyone has good and bad experiences with Nylon (like I have with Airflo sightfree) but I can honestly say I have been pleased with uncle jacks - but you'll soon get your favourite.

I agree with Sless and sedo, use a leader length that you are comfortable with and as you get more experience try and go longer:

My rule is: Floating line 1 fly 15'
Floating line 2 fly 15ft - 7ft dropper

Intermediate line 10ft max

Again everyone has their preference,

I hope this helps and enjoy!

Cheers
JamesC