# leaders/tippet **URL:** \ **Category:** Utah Fly Fishing\ **Created:** [November 11, 2010, 12:37am UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/leaders-tippet/177117 "2010-11-11T00:37:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![fish1on](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e79b87/32.png) [@fish1on](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/u/fish1on)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2010, 12:37am UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/leaders-tippet/177117/1 "2010-11-11T00:37:42Z")
Ok, did some research on here and online and even have asked a few folks that have been flyfishing for years. What I am asking is info/suggestions on leaders. I am still considered a newby per say to fly fishing but it is getting my interest/choice more and more everytime I go out. I have made a few of my own leaders and purchased many more for different applications (dry, nymph, etc.) but was wondering if any of you have a suggested ratio/test to use? I have read articles on a 50-25-25 and another 60-40 ratio but it is all way to mathematical for me. I have also been told that a 20lb butt, 15lb body, and tippet for the size fish I am after is a go to best bet for most fishing except for dry’s. The dry’s I would be best to buy the store versions for better roll and presentation? Thoughts?? ---
**Author:** ![flygoddess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a9a28c/32.png) [@flygoddess](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/u/flygoddess)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2010, 12:48am UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/leaders-tippet/177117/2 "2010-11-11T00:48:55Z")
You got it as far as see. Subsurface, whatever taper suits you. I use to make my own leaders using the Frog Hair kit and some darn nice ones. Cool to cause I could make different tapers for different weight of flies. I guess I stick with the formula for 5X and would add 6X tippet if needed. I also like the 7 1/2’ leaders. Of course, now I only use Furled Leaders on the rivers. Very easy to adjust the length without effect turn over and it holds indicators great. Plus with the thread models, I soak and the sink beautifully. And for dries, nothing beats a furled leader. You CAN cast just the leader, can’t do that with the traditional. I also got tired of all the knots on the traditional. ---
**Author:** ![fish1on](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e79b87/32.png) [@fish1on](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/u/fish1on)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2010, 12:55am UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/leaders-tippet/177117/3 "2010-11-11T00:55:00Z")
I thought you might have chimed in on this…Wealth of experience and knowledge, I have been reading your posts for years. Furled leaders?? Now I have to look that up, no experience or knowledge! Thanks for the lead/advise. ---
**Author:** ![flygoddess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a9a28c/32.png) [@flygoddess](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/u/flygoddess)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2010, 12:56am UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/leaders-tippet/177117/4 "2010-11-11T00:56:22Z")
They are great, PM me an address and I will give you a sample…in the future, I can even show you how to make your own. ---
**Author:** ![Tarponjim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/df788c/32.png) [@Tarponjim](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/u/Tarponjim)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2010, 12:59am UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/leaders-tippet/177117/5 "2010-11-11T00:59:52Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![fish1on](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e79b87/32.png) [@fish1on](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/u/fish1on)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2010, 1:18am UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/leaders-tippet/177117/6 "2010-11-11T01:18:36Z")
Great info from great people, thank you. ---
**Author:** ![JLG78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/45deac/32.png) [@JLG78](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/u/JLG78)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2010, 8:37pm UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/leaders-tippet/177117/7 "2010-11-11T20:37:58Z")
FG got me hooked on her Furled leaders. Can’t fish without them. I’ve only been flyfishing for a few years and these leaders took my casting to another level. Plus saves a lot of time not having to tie so many knots and saves a ton of money.