Why I Don't Tie Dry Fly Leaders...

In this video, Brian Flechsig from Mad River Outfitters explains why he doesn't like to tie his own dry fly leaders when fly fishing.

Videos Mentioned:

02:01 - Part 1: Furled Leaders
05:32 - Part 2: Poly & VersiLeaders
10:56 - Part 3: Conclusions
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Shot and Edited by Dev Fogle

#FlyFishing #Fishing

[SlowEarl]

I appreciate all the info you provide. I buy all my supplies and just bought new waders from your online store because of what you do here. Thank you Sir! Sincerely Michael Finney

[johnbwill]

Gratitude from Australia. I have learned a lot from your channel. So good. Changed my ways (of 30 years of fishing) in a number of ways after watching your excellent tutorials. Thanks again.

[leebdj]

That’s awesome! I stumbled on the Harvey leader a couple years ago, works great. It may seem a bit longer than some, but once you get it, you can get a really delicate presentation with a nice snake laying in the water.

[harryhthenorwegian]

My goodness, how much I have learned about leaders from you. I'm not as fanatical as you are, but I appreciate all your tips. Thanks😀

[MarcTelesha]

Thanks for your awesome videos.

Harvey Leader Formula (Updated Version) is my go to leader and I tweak them to perfection.Maybe it is because I live in Central PA and fish heavy fished water. I couldn't imagine fishing for Delaware River trout with a 10' leader. I am usually using 13' to 17' leaders (including the tippet). I still think this is the best system for dry flies. Furled seems to always explode on me when I used them. I even tried making my own and seemed a lot more fragile.

I do use versi leaders and I have only tried to use them with my spey rods. I might give them a try on my 4wt. I have a 10' light. I'll give that a try and see how it goes.

[chrislehto]

Was literally thinking about this question on the drive home from work today and lo and behold you guys read my mind and made a video answering my questions.

Thanks for being the best fly fishing resource on YouTube.

[jimmynoname]

I picked up thread leaders and soaked it in flyagra, about 2 years ago. Still love this for my dry flies. Saved many dollars off these two leaders. :)

[markcook]

“That’s…that’s really bad.” Absolutely killed me. The look when you said that!😂

[_Duck]

Started using poly leaders for dries based on an email I sent you last year and oh my God I love them

[tacticalskiffs]

I mostly use the George Harvey leader for normal up and over stuff. BUT. I used the Bolger version. I have to say his leader approach changed how I do leaders. I never buy leaders at this point, All my leaders are hand tied, or single strand. Bolgers approach gets everything down to a few knots (and a few spools of leader material, not to worry, it will go down at the same rate). I think with the GH it is only 2-3 knots, depending on your line size and fly size. Since any leader may have a tippet attached to it, or after some use added to it. You have a perfect performing leader with one extra knot than you would have in a regular leader. Not for blood knots aficionados only. Plus, on the blood knots, assuming one has that down, h e doesn't bother with a lot of turns or an even number of turns which makes them a lot easier to tie, and just as strong as the weak point will normally be at the fly, or should be.

[DC_J]

Tried all the packaged dry fly leaders out there, switched to a Airflo polyleader and haven’t looked back. One cast is all it took

[Caithnessflyfisher]

I like the airflo polyleaders... If I'm fishing a single dry on a #6 weight with a fly size ranging from a #10 to a #14, then I'll use the 8ft polyleader with a tippet length of up to 6ft, I find 14ft appears to be the sweet spot, especially when I fish the lochs of Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿... I've never used a 9ft leader for my dries because, in my opinion, feel that it's too short and could possibly risk the fish seeing the fly line more?... I dunno... That extra 6ft I feel, just adds that extra bit of distance between the fly line and fly which I feel, results in more successful hook ups.


Airflo all the way 👍

All the best from over here in bonnie Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

🥃 Slàinte

[speedoflight]

Brian, great video. I use mono furled leaders and yes, are much better for dries, specially those MadamX, Fat Alberts. Never regular leaders again.

[FlyFishing-Cologne]

Thanks for the video. Where do I find the mentioned handout with the Harvey leader formula?

[georgegoddard]

Hey Brian. I’m new to fly fishing. Really like your teaching. You say if it swims you can catch it with a fly rod. I like catfish. They hang to the bottom. I’m sure you have covered this in one of your videos but to save me the searching could you give me a link to bottom fishing with a fly rod please? Thanks again for your teaching 👍

[johnnylightning]

Thanks for the info Brian. I was wondering why you had that peach in your desk. I figured it was Katie try add some ambiance to the desk. Or maybe it was your after video snack. Keep the good stuff coming buddy.

[kansasscout]

I had no idea about poly leaders for dries. Thanks.

[shedden]

So if I typically fish dry fly on a 4x to 6x full leader I can replace buying all of those with one these and just using perfection loops to attach tippet?

[jrcll]

what are your thoughts of tying a tippet ring on to your poly leader, like the furled leaders to change tippet length or size

[rassiesmithiii]

One question. You mentioned tying a perfection loop to and tippet and taper down from the thicker lever. Can you tie a snell knot to connect the sections? Thanks, I’m literally brand new to fly fishing.