Catching a fish is the result of several things all coming together at the same time. To have success in fly fishing, most people talk about fly rods, flies, casts, and presentations. But an often overlooked component to catching a fish is choosing the correct leader. With an abundance of lengths, tapers, and materials, choosing the correct leader is a vital part of fly fishing. Here are some top tips for making your choice of leader work for you and to help you find more success when fly fishing.
When to Choose Short and When to Choose Long
Most leaders are 7.5-feet or 9-feet long. 12-foot leaders are also available but, not every fly shop will stock them. The type of water you are fishing is the largest factor when choosing length. 7.5-foot leaders are ideal for small streams, pocket water, streams with thick brush cover or an abundance of obstructions or overhead cover. On larger rivers, spring creeks, or when fishing from a boat, a 9-foot leader is standard. On the Upper Madison and the Yellowstone Rivers large flies are often part of a dry-dropper rig or tandem nymph rig. With the Upper Madison's variety of currents and riffles, a 9-foot leader is the best chance for a good drift. On the Yellowstone River most fishing occurs from a boat and long drifts are required so a longer leader is important. Depending on the nature of the fishing---such as head-hunting on the Missouri River or stalking selective spring creek trout---a 12-foot leader can be a very good choice. The extra length allows for slack to be on the surface of the water to obtain a natural drift on the myriad of currents on the Missouri River or Paradise Valley Spring Creeks.
As a general rule, the smaller the water you are fishing the shorter the leader you can choose. This isn't a hard-and-fast rule because often times fly selection dictates leader length. When fishing large flies or dry-dropper rigs many experienced anglers and Montana fly fishing guides choose shorter and stouter leaders. A short leader---anything less than 9 feet---allows the flies to cast easier and turn-over at the end of the cast compared to fishing larger flies on longer leaders. The downside of a shorter leader is the potential for the fly's drift to be drag sooner than with a longer leader, but if the wind is strong, a shorter leader may be easier to cast.
Water conditions also play a role in choosing leader length. On many freestones when streamflows are high or muddy. choose a short and stout leader because the fish are holding near bankside structure. They are also less spooky than when water is low and clear. On tailwaters like the Missouri and Madison Rivers, the opposite is often true---choose longer leaders when streamflows are high because fish on tailwater rivers often hold in deeper runs and holes. The mixing of currents on tailwater rivers often requires a long leader to ensure the deeply submerged flies drift at the proper depth.
Monofilament and Fluorocarbon: Know the Pros and Cons
Nearly all leaders are made of monofilament and fluorocarbon. Both offer distinct advantages and disadvantages. Monofilamet is made from a single strand of nylon and is known for being very versatile as well as affordable compared to fluorocarbon. Because the chemistry of monofilament is such, it is often easier to create lighter pound tests and more supple technology, making monofilament a better choice for light tippets and small flies. Monofilament floats well so it is the go-to choice when fishing dry flies or when using a dry fly in a dry-dropper rig. Monofilament costs less to produce so it can be a budget option for anglers that need to prioritize budget over abundant tackle.
Fluorocarbon is very useful in certain situations. It is made from a very dense material. Unlike monofilament, fluorocarbon inherently sinks so it is not the best choice when fishing dry flies on the surface. Fluorocarbon is also stronger and more abrasion resistant than monofilament. Because it is tougher and sinks faster it is the best choice for fishing subsurface nymphs or streamers and for the dropper tippet in a dry-dropper rig. Since its first use in fly fishing in the late 1990s, fluorocarbon has come a long way. Certain brands have supple material that works well for finicky trout in clear and slow waters. Fluorocarbon is almost twice as costly as monofilament, but its durability and strength means it lasts and works in situations where monofilament doesn't.
Your Style of Fishing Matters
Depending on if you plan to fish dry flies, nymphs, or streamers is a factor in leader selection. In most instances when fishing streamers, you will chose a shorter leader because it is easier to cast as well as place the fly where you want it. Additionally, if you are fishing a full-sink or sink-tip fly line, choose a leader that is around 3-4 feet long. The shorter leader allows you to detect strikes quicker and fish a stouter tippet which is less likely to break off when snagged. When fishing nymphs, the length is determined by the factors listed above---type of water, clarity of water, etc. For fishing dry flies, most often a 9-foot leader is the best choice. But, a shorter leader is better if fishing a small creek or fast pocket water. Additionally, fishing large stonefly patterns just after runoff can be more effective with a shorter leader because that gives you more control with your cast into tight spots which means you may snag less. If are sight-fishing to rising trout in a challenging situation like pods of rainbows on the Missouri River or spring creek trout sipping PMDs, then use a 12-foot leader and consider adding a few feet of monofilament tippet.
Don't Disregard the Butt Section
A leader is made of tapered monofilament or fluorocarbon. To best relay the energy that is created during a fly cast, a taper from thicker to thinner is essential. The taper runs from the thickest part of the butt section all the way down to the tippet section. Most store-bought tapered leaders have a built-in butt section. However, many experienced anglers like to have a custom butt section added to the end of their fly line. For a custom butt section use a "hard" style of monofilament like Mason Hard Mono or Orvis Super Strong butt material. Adding about 18 inches of butt material to the end of the fly line helps to better turn-over longer leaders. This is especially helpful when fishing leaders over 9-feet in length because a stronger and stouter butt section makes it easier to turn-over the leader and fly. To do this you must learn how to tie a perfection loop.
Many factors play a role in catching a fish. The ability to present a fly appropriately---so it looks like part of a trout's diet---is perhaps the most important skill to master. A perfect presentation is the sum of many parts. A big part of the whole is choosing the correct leader length. Knowing the lengths, understanding the material, and catering those to the style of fishing are crucial to success when on a fly fishing trip.