Switching between different fly types
- Thread starter Copper_John
- Start date
Bamboozle
Well-known member
I imagine a lot has to do wit the type of leaders you fish and with what flies...
With the exception of very small stream fishing, most often I use longer furled or woven leaders for dry flies but NOT for constant nymph or streamer fishing where I prefer a shorter knotted or braided butt leader. Therefore, as my lines all have welded or woven loops, when a change is in order swapping the entire leader is my preference.
I've been connecting my leaders loop to loop long before there was such a thing as welded loops or even commercially available furled leaders so it is second nature to wrap and stash my incorrect leader and unwrap and attach something else.
As far as lengthening leaders, I prefer just tying a blood knot which to me is easier than fussing with a tippet ring.
YMMV
With the exception of very small stream fishing, most often I use longer furled or woven leaders for dry flies but NOT for constant nymph or streamer fishing where I prefer a shorter knotted or braided butt leader. Therefore, as my lines all have welded or woven loops, when a change is in order swapping the entire leader is my preference.
I've been connecting my leaders loop to loop long before there was such a thing as welded loops or even commercially available furled leaders so it is second nature to wrap and stash my incorrect leader and unwrap and attach something else.
As far as lengthening leaders, I prefer just tying a blood knot which to me is easier than fussing with a tippet ring.
YMMV
STONEMAN
Active member
I carry a leader wallet and will switch between dry, euro, and a three brace wet setup. I also now carry a reel with a sink tip on it. But don’t do what I did yesterday on Penns and switch to your Euro setup, straighten it, tie on your two flies, a drop shot split shot….only to realize after you cast that your forgot to make the loop to loop connection….
Bamboozle
Well-known member
Been there, done that... 😉
DomR
Well-known member
I use a furled leader with a tippet ring as my base setup so changing from wets to dries, to streamers is all about adjusting the tippet size(s) and lengths depending upon the fly du jour. I'm not much for tying blood knots or double surgeons knots while on stream so a tippet ring set up works well for me as its just another clinch knot.
Trapshooter
Active member
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2017
- Messages
- 104
I use a tippet ring to a 7 1/2-foot to 9-foot 4X leader more often than not. Before that it was blood knots. Stream side, I use surgeons' knots. My eyes aren't what they used to be.
Depends on the size of the streamer. Find it works well to have two or three rods set up for different flies - one for dries, one for nymphs and one for streamers or other larger flies.
Nice to have gear ready to go, depending on possibilities during the day or drive up and down a stream or between different streams or sections.
Usually at least a 5 wt. for small to medium sized streamers; 6 wt to 7 wt for larger streamers and other large flies.
General fishing concept used to be that the leader length with tippet would be about equal to the length of the rod, as a general practice for wet flies and streamers. A better feel of bite and better hook setting.
For dries, longer sections of tippet to create the slack for avoiding drag.
Nice to have gear ready to go, depending on possibilities during the day or drive up and down a stream or between different streams or sections.
Usually at least a 5 wt. for small to medium sized streamers; 6 wt to 7 wt for larger streamers and other large flies.
General fishing concept used to be that the leader length with tippet would be about equal to the length of the rod, as a general practice for wet flies and streamers. A better feel of bite and better hook setting.
For dries, longer sections of tippet to create the slack for avoiding drag.
ROVERT
Active member
- Joined
- Mar 25, 2013
- Messages
- 268
Here's what I do.
On a 5 or 6 weight, which are the rods I'm likely to be switching from dries to streamers on, I'll cut the tapered leader off at its 1x diameter. I'll then tie a tippet ring on. A piece of 3x followed by 4.5x turns it into a dry fly leader. For small dries, I'll add 6x to the 4.5x. When it is streamer time, I'll tie either 1x or 3x to the tippet ring.
On a 3 or 4 weight, I'll cut the leader at 3x and tie my tippet ring there. I'll then use it the same way as above but since only smaller streamers will be used on these weights, I'll never need to go heavier than 3x.
I only carry mono in two sizes and flouro in three sizes. This handles all of my leader altering needs. Well, there is a spool of 7x mono in my backpack just in case.
On a 5 or 6 weight, which are the rods I'm likely to be switching from dries to streamers on, I'll cut the tapered leader off at its 1x diameter. I'll then tie a tippet ring on. A piece of 3x followed by 4.5x turns it into a dry fly leader. For small dries, I'll add 6x to the 4.5x. When it is streamer time, I'll tie either 1x or 3x to the tippet ring.
On a 3 or 4 weight, I'll cut the leader at 3x and tie my tippet ring there. I'll then use it the same way as above but since only smaller streamers will be used on these weights, I'll never need to go heavier than 3x.
I only carry mono in two sizes and flouro in three sizes. This handles all of my leader altering needs. Well, there is a spool of 7x mono in my backpack just in case.
