Question on George Harvey slack leaders

[hondo]

I am looking to tie up and try some George Harvey slack leaders and any help would be appreciated. I have the formulas but I some question for those who use them regarding the materials used for the "hard" and "soft" portions of the leaders. I have also heard that their is new or modification that has been made for the "hard" segments that may now employ a "softer" material for the butt section than the original.

 

[dryflyguy]

The original Harvey leaders were tied with maxima hard nylon for the first 3 segments, then soft nylon for the rest of the leader.
Then he came put with a modified version for dry flies. It uses soft nylon for the whole leader.
I've tied and used both, and they were OK

Lately however, I switched to another leader formula that uses a 3 foot section of Orvis hy-flote for the butt section, then finishes with sections of stren mono line. I like it better

 

[littlejuniata]

hey

post the recipe

thanks

 

[maxima12]

i have used harvey leaders. i also tie them. have plenty in stock. originally tied using maxima chamo with the last sections soft or limp material. i would suggest john bailey's of dan bailey's fly shop. i believe it is called velvet if they still have it. i have no problems using straight maxima all the way. this leader was designed for the s, snake curves. this is how the leader should lay on the water, can be adjusted to the size fly by adding or subtracting the tippet length. always looked forward to seeing george and his pal joe. fond memories of shaking his hand and patting him on the back. a true fishermen.

got a little off track, memories always seem to fog my mind.

10 1/2 and 12 footers common usage.

 

[vern]

Actually, it was DuPont hard nylon for the butt sections. It might still be available in Williamsport. It has no stretch, because it's been pre-stretched. The transition zone between stiff to soft is where material selection becomes most critical, because of the differences in strengths and the potential for the smaller diameter line being stronger than the larger diameter line, and cutting, resulting in knot failure.

 

[Billems]

I once asked Joe Humphreys for which hard nylon he used for his back tapers. He uses Mason's Hard Nylon, not Maxima. Mason's diameters are spot on, as stated. Maxima, is often thicker than indicated on the wheel. I stay with Maxima Chameleon after re-marking the spools with the correct diameter.

 

[shortrod]

I use Mason for the butt sections. As mentioned above it was the preferred material at one time. I don't think it is all that important.
I usually use Orvis Super Strong for the forward sections, but I will use what ever brand the nearest shop sells when I get to the end of a spool.

 

[CLSports]

For the hard butt section either Maxima Chameleon or Mason's Hard. I have used the Mason's for saltwater leaders and it is really stiff! Not really a fan. I tried the Chameleon too, but can't get used to using brown. It is probably better, but I switched to regular Maxima clear for my 12' leaders and it is fine for me. I add all maxima up to the final tippet section where I will use Orvis or Rio tippet. These leaders are perfect for big rivers like the Delaware where drag is common.