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Bought myself my first fly rod, Orvis Encounter 9 foot, #5.
I understand that I have to use a 5 weight fly line, but what about leaders? Do I have to stay within a certain size range?
Thanks
Harry
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I would go with a 9 foot 5x or 6x leader for a 5 weight.
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Thanks all.
I'm doing google searches about leader and tippet. I think my outfit came with a 5X or 4X tippet. I've lost a lot of flies so far, I think due to my clinch knot slipping with the Gink floatant on the line. (Just change to Davy Knot.)
Since I lost all of the thin tippet part of the line, I put a perfection loop on the end of the leader. I then put on some 10lb. with a loop, some 6lb. with surgeons knot, and lastly 2lb tippet using a loop to the 6lb. so that I can just add 2lb. when needed. My #12 and 14 flies are landing better than the original tippet, but I think my casting has improved.
So far, from reading on the net, the size leader and tippet mainly depends on the size fly and getting it to turn over properly. I haven't finished reading the stuff that I've found.
[/b]Do you folks think that with a WF5F line I am fairly well limited to a certain range of 'X' leader? Or does it depend more on the size fly and my casting skill?[/b]
I guess I should say that for right now, I'm practicing catching small fish, but I want to fish for largemouth and smallmouth in lakes and streams.
I've order a package of streamers and soon going out to try a stream for smallmouths. I've only been spinfishing in moving water a few times about 7 years ago. When I get the flies, I'll have to look at the size of the hooks and buy or make a leader to match the streamers.
Flygoddess, thanks for the tip on Furled leaders, they look interesting.
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The leader does depend on the fly but also the rod weight. In other words, I can throw streamers with my 2 wt. but I won't use 10lb leader on it.
I have made leaders for several years now. I found doing loop connections in the leader its self caused hinging. Little less control of the fly for me.
I connect all tippet material using a blood knot or in the field always use a Surgeon's knot. Triple Surgeon's knot if I am connecting a drop in the tippet size (ex: leader is a 4X and I attach 6X tippet)
I also prefer to attach the fly with a Surgeon's Loop (as small as possible). This way I am able to use much larger Tippet size on smaller flies but still keep movement. I use a 6X on a #32 fly.
On most rivers and stillwaters here I prefer 4X (6lb) for all my fishing, with occasionally a 5X on #22's. I will also fish big articulated flies with this.
BUT, I also use only fluorocarbon because it will be a smaller diameter with same strength as mono.
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Thanks flygoddess,
So, it sounds like I am limited to a certain range of 'X' leader. I think my 'already setup outfit' came with about a 5X tapered leader. I'll get myself a 4X and 6X and see how well I can do with them. If that works out, I can try other sizes.
Thanks also for your other tips. I have noticed a few minor aggravations with my loops. I hope to lessen them by learning to tie them smaller. Likely though, I will probably have to change to other kinds of knots as you have suggested.
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