Fly Fishing Leaders are generally tapered. They start with a butt section, let’s say 0.021”-0.25”, and taper to 1X or 0.10” to 7X or 0.004”. Hand tied leaders would have several knots, as many as 7, to achieve the same kind of taper. That is why machine tapered leaders are so easy to use. No knots! Just loop it on your fly line and tie on a piece of tippet to finish out the rig. See the video RIO’s Loop to Loop Connection for proper technique.
Recently, in 2014, I was turned onto the 12’ RIO Powerflex Leaders. Awesome. For tailwater, spring creeks, or pressured fish, this is the right leader for you. I became familiar and quite comfortable with a tippet length of 48”. Total length from fly line to fly? A shocking 16 feet! Works like a charm. I found that if it does not turn over perfectly every time, you need not worry. As the current pulls the line and leader downstream, the slack will help in achieving a perfect drag free drift. Fish are rarely afraid of a perfect drift!
The RIO Powerflex line of leaders will get you through the toughest of trout fishing situations. But if you want a little something extra you may want to consider going the Fluorocarbon route.
Fluorocarbon leaders are stealthy. A leader that many nymph fishermen use allowing the flies to achieve depth sooner. Fluorocarbon leaders sink. Not like sinking leaders with added weight, but the porous nature of the Fluorocarbon material will not float like its nylon cousin. I find myself using them when the fish have been pressured. Mid summer and late season trout can dictate this useful leader for specific uses. Having a Fluorocarbon leader in your wallet can be a smart thing. Almost like an insurance policy. Use it when you need it.
Here in Montana the RIO Indicator Leader is tied on my nymph rod for several months. I begin to employ the Indicator Leader in November and it does not come off until mid summer. The 10’ length is perfect. A powerful butt section and a very short 2′ taper will easily turn over any indicator or heavily weighted split shot rig you may find yourself using. The long and level tip section allows for rapid sink rates. This leader tapers from the butt section to the static diameter remainder after 2 feet. 2 foot of taper from butt to the diameter of your choice. I like to use the 1X/0.010” as my everyday nymph leader. The beauty of the 8 foot level section measuring 1X/0.010″ is that I do not have to worry about the taper when adding, subtracting, or fixing a tangled leader. I know that after the very short 2’ taper the leader is 1x or 0.010”. No freaky leader building math needs to be done. Simplicity is what anglers, including me, like!
You bet there are and they are useful. A 6’ Steelhead/Salmon Leader can work well for our trout here in Montana. A great leader for those two handed rod fellas too. If you are trying to match rod length for a 2 hander the 12’ Steelhead/Salmon Leader is good as well. Whether you need it short for tying off of a RIO Outbound Short Streamer line or to get the right leader for your two handed set up, there are leaders designed for every conceivable use.
Some guides use the 7 1/2’ 3X Powerflex Trout Leader for nearly everything. Why? Can you get along with just one leader? You can and some do. The beauty of the 7 1/2’ length is that you can build it much longer for dry fly use. You can shorten it by a couple feet and lash a giant streamer to it. Or you can just use it at 7 1/2’ and tie a nymph directly onto the leader. A generic leader used by many.
The RIO Powerflex Trout 9’ 3X.
