leaders/tippet

[Tarponjim]

I mostly throw dries, and have used the same 3-peice leader formula for about 25 years now. My butt section is a 3-foot section of heavy mono. I use 25lb. test Maxima. To that, I tie on a tapered leader, usually about a 3x or so. I trim a foot or two of the tippet from the tapered leader, and then attach my own tippet of choice. That is currently Orvis florocarbon of 3X-5X. I don't personally ever have a need for 6X, even with size 20's. (And I never have a need for a fly smaller than a sparsley-tied 20 either!!)

Anyway, the 3-peice, heavy butt--tapered leader--final tippet formula has worked great for me for a very long time. It leaves only two knots besides the one attaching the leader to fly line, and the one attaching your fly. I can use the same butt section for a whole season usually. I can re-attach new tippet for weeks before I need to change the tapered leader. This system is long-lasting, turns the fly over great, and piles the leader for drag-free presentations. The whole thing is 11-15 feet long.

For streamer fishing, it can be shorter and heavier. I usually just use the same butt section, and a short section of a tapered leader.

For nymphing, shorten the tippet section unless you're fishing pretty deep. Fish a 9 or 10 foot total leader length.
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