Selecting
correct tapered leader and tippet for type of fishing you are about to do is crucial. Nothing can spook fish quicker than an oversized tippet for particular situation. On other hand, and undersized tippet can result in fly fisher losing their trophy before they even get a photo opportunity. We will start at very basic of leader and tippet selection and then get more specific, and hopefully conclude with enough information so we’ll always have proper leader and tippet for all upcoming fishing scenarios.What is leader and tippet
Leader and tippet is final connection between fly fisher and their fly. It is section of line after fly line and before fly. It’s purpose is to transfer energy from fly line down to fly, allow for natural presentation of fly, and then be strong enough for fly fisher to retrieve any fish that might strike at naturally presented fly. Sounds simple enough, but this is fly fishing, and fly fishers have been around a long time. And as a group we seem to think about everything related to our sport a lot, and therefore probably have over complicated things a tad.
The leader in fly fishing is tapered. It is thicker at butt section, then at tippet section. It is usually divided into three sections, butt is tied directly to fly line, and is longest portion of leader, about 60%. The mid-section is next and its purpose is to taper down to tippet without losing a lot of strength. The final section is tippet, it is actual section that is tied to fly. It is thinnest section, it needs to be strong, yet allow for a natural drift, without alarming fish that your offering is connected to a person that will pull back.
Commercial leaders by and large achieve all this in one smooth product. Although there are still knotted leaders out there, by and large knotless leaders are choice. It is possible to construct you own leaders and many people do. But that is topic of another article. A fly fisher does, however need to know how to attach new tippet portion to fly line, I prefer double surgeon’s knot, but blood knot is also popular. Learn how to tie these knots before fighting that monster! A poorly tied knot will reveal itself at most opportune times.
X factor
Now comes fun part. A new set of numbers to learn. Different numbers then choosing flies or fly rods. Fly fishing is overwrought with numbering systems, and unfortunately leaders and tippets you are just going to need to learn. They are sized on X numbering system. So when you hear someone say they are switching to a 6X, you now know they are talking about their tippet. X measures diameter of leader minus .011. So a 6X would measure .005. A 0X would actually measure .011. One really only needs to remember HIGER X, smaller diameter. The other number worth noting test, or breaking factor, a 4lb test leader will break when more than 4lbs pressure are applied. This is worth noting, and many a trophy are lost when violating that #.
