eastern fly 0 Report post Posted October 19, 2014 I need a formula for a steelhead leader. Something for drifting egg's ect and something for streamers. All for my 7 wt. Any info is helpful. Kevin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shoebop 0 Report post Posted October 19, 2014 I use a shooting line with a #15 leader and #10 or #8 tippets below a triple swivel. I attach a 1" to 3" piece of tube lead to one of the swivel leads depending on the current. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
heavynets 0 Report post Posted October 19, 2014 Probably not what you want to hear, I would use regular level 12-15 pound mono for a leader when nymphing. When streamer fishing, I would go with a 4'-9' mono tapered leader, depending on the streamer weight. I just don't see the advantage of a knotted leader. Knots are always weak points that make the leader more visible and more likely to snag debris. How do you like that Ambush line For your switch rod? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Piker20 0 Report post Posted October 20, 2014 Level leader too. I adjust the dia to suit fly turnover down to minimum of approx .20, around 8lb. Biggest I use is just over .40, 28lb with heavy tube flies. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bruce Derington 0 Report post Posted October 24, 2014 I use 3 to 5 foot 15 # Maxima, loop to loop to my leader/tippet. 8# high water/ cloudy, 6# /#4 in low and clear. often times i use 8 weight floating on my 7 weight rod (this allows flys to turn over better), any way, it works for me Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jont 0 Report post Posted November 15, 2014 straight 10# or 12# Fluorocarbon 8 footer. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RoyalRenegade 0 Report post Posted January 14, 2015 I quit using knotted leaders. Fish kept hitting the knots and not my fly! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yeti 0 Report post Posted January 24, 2015 Are you casting a single or two hand rod? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
artimus001 0 Report post Posted January 24, 2015 Ian Collin James introduced me to the level leader concept 10 yrs ago. i haven't looked back since. he was also the first guide i know of that saw the full potential of fly fishing for carp. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bad fish rising 0 Report post Posted July 20, 2015 for streamers I like 3.5ft 30lb maxima chameleon, 1.5ft 20lb maxima utragreen, 2ft 10lb maxima ultragreen I would cut back to 1ft of 10lb utragreen then add 3-4ft 6lb maxima perfection for a nymph leader. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rocco 0 Report post Posted July 20, 2015 Shoebop, I have used the "chuck and duck" system you describe for years. A love and hate experience. Hate it astheticly speaking but it works, particularly on smaller waters like the FFO section of the Pere Marquette with zero space for back casts and limited distances and lots of overhanging obstacles which restrict spey casting tactics. If you need to get a fly down fast to deep holding steelhead in the deeper fast runs right against opposite banks, the C&D approach is very effective. It excels with a ten foot rod and nymphs or eggs. As weights we use para chord stuffed with different numbers of split shot to match the drift conditions with the bottom of the chord melted shut and a small swivel inserted in the melted top to minimize line twist. It does rattle spooky fish however even with the chord enclosed weights banging along the bottom. There are also too many snagged fish with this approach so we do not use it over redds. Forget swinging streamers or attractors with it. Rocco Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flytire 0 Report post Posted July 20, 2015 try leadercalc http://globalflyfisher.com/fishbetter/leadercalc/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eastern fly 0 Report post Posted July 21, 2015 I have its nice. I would like to see an update for it. Kevin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
islander727 0 Report post Posted July 25, 2015 My rig for the great lakes fishery was 6.5 feet of flouro, tie on a sucker spawn, attach two feet of lighter flouro tippet and tie on a nymph. An indicator and split shot was placed above the sucker spawn. For streamer fishing down here, there are a couple different leaders I use (copied these from dans custom flies and redchaser): Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites