Who ties their own leaders?

[Jellyhead]

I was just wondering if anyone else ties there own leaders up. I always have, I use maxima ultragreen for the leaders, and enjoy the flexibility of being able to adapt my leaders to the conditions.

The only downside---The slough creek cutthroats in Yellowstone, would actually hit my leader knots, because they were so conditioned to eating microscopic bugs. :rolleyes:

Aaron

[Corkie Monster]

I tie all of my leaders, there is no sense in paying extra money for pre-ties. And I noticed that the store bought leaders are over kill with thick leaders. and you know what you have by tying your own. just my .02

[FallRiverGuy]

I also tie my own leaders. Maxima for butt end, then I switch to Umpqua for the tippet.

So what pound test do you find works well for the first section off the fly line. I use to start with 10 or 8 lb but have started using 20 lb and like that better.

[Pete]

I'm a tie my own guy. Maxima butt and Climax or DaiRiki for the rest. I generally tie the first 2/3 ahead of time and tie the tippet and last 2 or 3 segments to match conditions. I used to carry a wallet with about 30 different leaders, but I couldn't keep them straight or labelled or fresh enough to be reliable, so now I just adapt a basic progressive taper as I need it.

[Eric W.]

I am self taught fly fisherman. And I was talking to a guy and he said if your fly is not falling right it very well could because of using straight tippet as opposed to leader? Sounds right. Is is this true. I've always used straight tippet. (leaders to expensive)

[rob allen]

I tie my own out of maxima chameleon until i get to small trout tippets when i go from 6lb maxima to whatever size i need for tippet which is usually rio powerflex or if need be 6x flourocarbon. never need that around here though only back in the spring creeks of Montana or on the henry's fork.

[Snapset]

FallRiver, I too like a heavier butt (on my fly line). On the lower Deschutes, I am usually casting straight upstream, and a 12 foot leader is a minimum. I sometimes can't get a long tippet to turn over with out at least 17 lb. Ultra-Green. I like Climax for the tippet, but I never mess with the brittle Fuoro-Carbon.

[Tanner]

I have tied my own tapered leaders in the past. Now I just buy them pre-made. If I had enough extra time to tie all my own leaders I would be one happy camper. My get ready time for a fishing trip is generally the night before I go.

[Phish_on]

I guess I'm in-between, I buy a tapered leader and tie tippet onto it after I lose the first couple feet . I usually buy one new leader for each line every spring.

[True]

I use Anderson's "Curtis Creek Manifesto" formula. I just lengthen it or shorten it by a few inches whenever necessary.

[PittsburghD]

I'm a dad. I can't even find time to tie flies. So, I buy flies and leaders to save time.

____D

[DAB]

A long time ago I tied my own leaders, Now I am old and lazy, I buy ready made now. If you want to be a half way leader tier- buy 7ft leaders of a heavyer weight and add the last 2 sections of your own, works great. :grin: :grin:
DAB.....

[ultralight]

I like the convenience and smoothness of the tapered leaders, but it's more economical and fun to tie my own leaders. The butt section can be as heavy as 20 or 25#, depending on what you're after. This thickness allows for better turnover.

I also like to tie my own flies. This way I can be creative and save a lot of money.

[nkambae]

I too tie my own. I enjoy the challenge of getting thick fingers to tie complicated knots. No, I do enjoy figuring out how best to put a fly in the face of a fish. I mostly use Umpqua for trout and panfish. Heavy ultra green and wire for muskies and northerns. I used to use ultra green for steelhead and salmon but have lately been experimenting with flourocarbons. Tried Redington 8 pound (same diameter as ultra green 6 pound. Broke off four steelies on the hook set. Bad juju! Threw that stuff in the can. Last weekend I tried Seaguar 12.5 pound (same diameter as ultra green 6 pound). Loved it! Set the hook so hard the drag screamed. No problem.
Long runs, jumps, bangin' rocks, scrapin' gravel. No problem. Landed fish. Seemed to be good stuff. I think I need to experiment some more. Hmm...what can I tell my wife and boss so I can go fishing again?