Building a Tapered Leader

Detailed instructions on how to build a 10 foot, 4x tapered leader.

#flyfishing #trout #flytying

[PRACERZ]

Could NOT have been shown and explained any better than what you did, thank you very much for the education !

[eklepac]

These guys are good teachers. Just enough words to instruct. But all words that are necessary to explain the process. I never knew about using five turns to close the leader for storage. I did not know about a tippet ring. Thanks for sharing these ideas.

[russellfraser]

I have been tying my leaders for 35 years, learning from my grandfather. As the tippet gets used, replacing on the stream is a breeze. In the long run it is a money saver considering the price of knot less leaders, which you can also carry tippet material to refresh if it gets damaged. I have my kit at my tying station and replenish through the winter months. Nice video, Good to know others still do this, I was starting to question myself. Mine lay out very nice!!

[mfluder]

Best tying and other instructional videos I've found online. Thank you!

[bpplus]

I've never payed all that much attention to tying my leaders, and now, have found that I was tying too long a mid section. Just fished with my buddy and my dries were laying out perfect and he was struggling. Thanks for the formula!

[camerannC]

Your untangling trick at the end is awesome!

[gilleslafreniere]

Thank you for the clear instructions. I'm finally after all these years fishing, gaining some invaluable instructions by these Youtube videos.

[sirmegallot]

I like how your knots are seated quickly and without fuss; i always would try to drive myself crazy making sure every turn seated perfectly, but with 20 and 15 pound mono, the knot surely must be strong! the knots on your tippet and fly are sure to break first! I'm getting a kit and I'm gonna bang these out, one more thing to learn and craft to my preference. Your videos have been beyond helpful, thanks for your dedication and efforts.
scott

[lineshooterw]

Best tutorial on this topic. I'm inspired to start building my own. Thanks!

[dtrout]

I used to build leaders from Maxima and generally they worked very well, but I found I could tie a double nail knot with the Sierra club tool and the knots were much easier and were stronger than my blood knots. Fast forward a few years and I found I could pick up manufactured knotless tapered leaders from Sierra Trading post and a couple other sources at pretty steep discounts. By getting a 1x store bought in 7.5 feet I just had to add a couple sections of tippet and I could end up with 4x or 5x at the fly. Less issues with knots catching the tippet etc just my preference. I have not used the tippet rings but I like how it reduces the need to replace the segment worth a try .... nice video narration always enjoy your relaxed tone and minimalist approach. Perfect.

[gilbertleighton]

At long last a simple but great instruction to solving my leader issues .THANK YOU

[johnbrohio]

Tim, have you thought about updating this video with 2025 materials?

[amandahammond]

Pre-building leaders seems like a fantastic idea. My Dad builds them when he gets to the water he’s going to fish and just builds a leader to suit.

[pkettler]

Very nice instructional video. I have been tying my segmented tapered leaders for years, but have not yet used tippet rings, nor have I adopted the ‘five wrap’ method of putting them away. Great tips, now part of my repertoire!

[elonmust]

I was taught by the salesman Doug, how to tie leaders when I bought my first fly rod at like 12 or 13 at Angler's Lane in Lynchburg VA.

[GeorgeSemel]

I had one of those Orvis kits too, its got to be 40 year now. I build my own, once you understand how, its simple, I tie mine a little long and make adjustments on the stream with what ever fly I have on. 80% of the battle is getting the leader to turn over and put the fly where you want it. You will increase your hook ups by a 100 % if you take the time to adjust your leader to the conditions you are fishing.

[johndosha]

I use a three to three to four feet of tippet ratio and it works for me I attach the tippet four foot section on with the double surgeon knot I feel it's a slimmer knot at the most important part of the leader. I tie 10 leader recipes back to back to back and spool them on an old spool of line at the beginning of the season and keep that spool in my fly vest till it empties then I refill it. Norman I suggest you pre make yourself several leaders and keep them with you opossed to tying them on the river it's too problematic you can drop spools of line in the river or have line strung down the river!!

[bjonesy]

Tim, love this tutorial. Informative and interesting, and with the mark of production quality we have all come to expect from your channel. Curious, however, have you thought about making a video in the future going over different formulas for different applications? Keep up the great work.

[glennpayne]

Was taught that method in the 70's...Ritz formulas work well for Lake, Rivers and Streams... never used rings....triple surgeons knot for tippet works well too...

[kevinjtoner]

Excellent video!!! Very well thought out and explained. Thank you!!!