What size leader should i use

Matching the hatch always helps, but the main thing is the presentation and the float. You will catch more fish with short casts where you can mend properly and control the drift than with long casts. Work on technique first, then on reaching fish far away. You should always fish close anyway, otherwise you will scare fish that are close to you trying to reach those far away.

Anyway Lesley, let me know where you are and what type of fishing you want to do and we will try to help you solve some of these problems. I am a bit confused about leader choice. But what is the formula to calculate the correct Leader?

I think it is more important to recognize when you are or are not achieving the cast that you want as illustrated in Figure 1 in my post and then know what to do to fix the problem of too much or too little energy being transmitted down the line to the fly.

Also, it depends on how spooky leader shy the fish are in your stream and how choppy or calm the water is. Longer leaders are more difficult to control, but are better for shy fish in clear, calm water; as is smaller tippet.

We generally stick with 9 foot 4X and 5X tapered leaders for most dry fly fishing. If we think the fish are spooked by the heavy leader, we add a foot or so of smaller tippet. But then we have to balance that with the size of fish we are likely to catch.

They may bite better if we use small tippet, but we loose too many if the fish are big. I have only got one carp so far out of the canals in Phoenix, but not from lack of effort… I spend 3 hours a day stalking the edges of the banks, casting, tying, casting, tying.

After reading this I think my lead is spooking the fish. I will try a smaller tippet and hope for the best. Hi Mike. Assuming you will get into big carp, it is a difficult to balance the need for small tippet for less visibility and the ability to hold large fish. Yes, you might get more hits, but you will lose a lot of gear. Also, do you think you are spooking them before you cast or that your rig is spooking them after you cast?

Cast in front of fish when you see them feeding tailing. Let the fly sink and then give it a little twitch. When you feel a little tug, you will know what to do. Here is one of our videos click here to watch video catching large brown trout on 3X tippet.

Christmas present for husband. Size rod. Leader ect. White River. I do not know what type of fly fishing he is planning to do. The rod size can mean both the line weight and the length of the rod. The weight of the line determines the size flies that can be used. Look at my charts above on this post. The length of the rod depends on what type of fishing. If he will be fishing for fish in open lakes, rivers, oceans or bays, a long rod will be needed 9 feet or longer. If he is fishing for trout in small tight streams, he may need a shorter rod 7.

Depending upon the type fishing he wants to do, he may need a floating line or a sinking line. But, for most beginning trout fishermen and women , the combination that most start with is a 9 foot long, 5 or 6 wt rod, with a 5 or 6 wt fly reel loaded with backing and 5 or 6 wt floating, weight forward fly line.

I started flyfishing a month ago and your instruction articles have been a great help. I live in British-columbia, but one day I hope to go on a guided tour with you. Thank you very much! Thanks Jason. Is there a way to tell what leader or tippet you already have on a rod? Only stupid question is one that is not asked… Your fly reel should have backing, then flyline then leader, then you may also want to add tippet.

You are probably asking about the fly line. Ask the people at the store where he bought it. If he bought it from a person, still take it to a local sporting goods store and ask them. Most good stores can help explain what type of fly line you need for the type of fishing you want to do. Also, the weight of the fly line has to be balance with the rod and reel that were designed to handle specific line weights.

Usually folks use 6 weight line on a 6 wt fly rod, but there are exceptions, but not for you as a beginner. A decade ago you would drive […]. Autumn in troutcountry can mean two things for the guides at Vail Valley Anglers, first, big game hunting, and the second, streamer […]. Spring is coming in the Rockies and with this change in seasons comes bigger, muddier, faster moving water in all of our […]. The first is Monofilament, which is generalized by lower poundage, lower prices, and a diverse range of uses for most species.

The second is Fuolorcarbon, which is typically stronger, more expensive, and is reserved for occasions that require a more durable line.

Monofilament is the most commonly used in fly rigs. Take care not to leave monofilament out in direct sunlight as UV rays will deteriorate it. I would suggest that before each fishing trip, take a few moments to inspect your line for any kinks, knots, and cuts that seem to compromise the strength of the line. Even more surprisingly, much like humans tippet can even become bruised.

This is usually when it takes a beating against rocks and turns the areas a foggy white. Knowing when to use 6X tippet instead of 4X or a 7. Here are a few things to consider when deciding what size tippet and leader you should be using. For the catch and release angler, making responsible decisions starts with the size of the line used. Sure, big fish can be landed on 6X and 7X tippet, but at a cost to be sure.

A lighter line means longer fights and more stressed out fish, so the size of tippet and leader should be determined somewhat by the fish being sought after. Shop our collection of lead-free split shots made in natural, subtle colors and sizes simulating river pebbles.

Therein lies the difference in fish targeted to line size to be used. Bigger fish means heavier tippet in the name of conservation! Check your leader. The flyfishing pioneer and French hotelier Charles Ritz worked out the basic leader formula in the early days of mono after World War II.

The leader-butt diameter should be two-thirds of the diameter of the end of your fly line for best performance. The 5-weight fly line you may use for fishing small dry flies has a tip diameter of about. The 9-foot, 6X leader you attach to it should then have a butt diameter of about. Most light trout leaders conform to that standard.