Getting Started in Fly Fishing: Why Make Our Own Leaders? 

Mr C, you’re a joy to listen to. A natural tutor. Your vids are v.informative. Thank you.

I do understand your logic on this, your videos have been enlightening and very helpful. However, having a thick butt section, in particular one that has close to the same stiffness as the end of your fly line, helps with providing that transition in diameter and stiffness, thus improving the shape of your casting loop. This might be important for casting accuracy and fly placement, regardless of what type of fly you are using. Many store bought leaders have poor durability (especially the tippet section), and the taper is very abrupt, not gradual. These are the main reasons why I make my own leaders. Also, I know about the depth problem for flies like streamers and nymphs, but mono does sink after it’s been wet for a while, so for general purpose casting unweighted wet flies and light streamers, I find that for floating fly lines the blood knot leader formulas that utilize Maxima will cast the best for me - starting with 30 lb. butt section and transitioning to 20, 15, 10, and 6 (or about 5x). This works for line weights 4-7, I use a 25 lb. butt section for 2-3 weights. Yes I do go with fluorocarbon when I want more depth, and when I want more punch casting into the wind. I rarely fish with dry flies, but when I do, the store bought leaders are best for that (unless fishing with poppers, gurglers, and other foam flies like ants) because they land on the water with less disturbance than blood knot leaders. But I still will often replace the tippet with store bought leaders because with many of the brands, their tippet has very poor durability - cut off tippet a few inches below the taper and knot a section of Maxima ultra-green for tippet.

Nicely done, good info.

Excellent, thank you sir.

I like to use a 7.5 ft nylon leader that tapers to 2x or 3x then a tippet ring then 2-4 ft of my tippet

Great content bud...I know something about some types of fishing..but nothing about fly fishing...only time I use a fly setup is for trolling leadcore...adding photography content is great..that's something I do know about but can always learn more....I hear a hint of the UK in your speech...lived in London as a young man...and my twin married someone from the Cotswolds...Anyway thanks for all the work you have put into the channel....look forward to benefiting from it...cheers

Good info. How do you feel about the Gary Borger uni-body leaders? I like that it only uses 2 sizes of line (Maxima). Long butt and short transition section. Any formulas you prefer?

For building my own leader, what's your thought on the knots? Surgeon's knot vs. Blood knots? I understand both knots are effective but which knot gives a better transition or a better flow of energy?

PSA: Check your leader before fishing today for knicks, scrapes or creases. If it’s compromised replace it 👍 that next big one will thank you.

Great information! Would love to get some base formulas for leaders. Any resources or suggestions would be helpful.

Do you have a video elaborating on using the cheaper trilene for leaders? That would be great!

I have watched this many many times. I buy flies for X factor of my pool i know its wrong but. is there a way to tell a fly for leader in grams or ounce. so i can make my flys buy weight and make a feeder to that fly? Other side of the river

THANK U FOR TELLING ME ABOUT THE BUTT SECTION, I DO USE A TIPPET RING ,STEELHEAD ONES,MY QUESTION IS I BUY THE LEADERS THAT R MADE,,COULD I JUST CUT A SECTION OF THE BUTT OFF,AND JUST USE THE TAPERED SECTION,I HAVE BAD ARTHRITIS,IN MY FINGERS,SO ITS HARD TO TRY AND TIE,TIPPET MATERIAL TO THE BUTT SECTION.UR RIGHT I NOTICED WITH THE LEADERS THAT R TAPERED,ALWAY DRAGS,AND IT SEEM LIKE THE FLYES ARENT FLOWING RIGHT,WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE,TO SHOW PICTURES OF MAKING UR OWN LEADERS,THANK U

im a left handed caster can you teach me the cross shoulder cast? aka on wrong side of the river for me.

I disagree, Sir. A thick bottom never worked against anyone.

Get in the habit of looking at the LENS of the camera so you're looking "at us" ...your audience. Looking "over there" at the viewfinder i.e. your image is a sub-pro level. When you talk to someone in real life, you don't stare at their shoulder...you look them in the eye. That is the LENS of the camera, that is "our eye"