Lines & Leaders

Question 1

A longer leader gives flyline more?

Answer 1

Stability
Time to dissipate more energy
More gently presentation, less disturbance on water

Question 2

What is a tapered flyline?

Answer 2

A tapered fly line is a line that increases or decreases in its size and diameter.

The taper helps dissipate energy along its length and give line & loop control:
- thicker line or shorter length dissipates LESS ENERGY
* benefit more power, best in wind, turning over heavy flies
- thinner or longer taper dissipates MORE energy
* benefit more feel, more control, less water disturbance

different sizes provide anglers with a different feel and power depending on what fish you want to target and weight you choose.

There are two primary tapers that you’ll find on a market: weight forward fly line and double taper fly line.

Question 3

How many basic tapers are there & what are they?

Answer 3

Not including speciality tapers, such as bonefish (Lefty Krehs famous 50% rule formula) or tarpon, there are 4 basic types, but most popular are WF & DT
WF - weight forward, standard trout line
DT - Double taper (trout light touch)
LT - light taper, best for slow action glass, bamboo or old style graphite.
ST - Shooting taper, basically weight forward on steroids,
ST tapers are mostly used by anglers targeting steelhead, salmon, certain saltwater species, or those fishing with two-handed rods and tournament casting.

I am testing with WF progressive taper.

Question 4

Why are Fly lines and leaders tapered?

Answer 4

1. Tapered fly lines give advantages to anglers over “level” fly line through RESHAPING the lines MASS PROFILE.
2. Each taper section has a purpose and the work together to achieve a BALANCED CAST.
3. The taper helps control the dissipation and transfer energy smoothly along its length allowing anglers the chose between different levels of feel and power depending on needs.

Question 5

What does a Fly Line do?

Answer 5

1. The flyline allows you to cast very light flies.
2. Fly line weight LOADS the rod building up energy,
3. The purpose of it is to TRANSFER THE POWER from the rod and move it to your fly so you can present it properly.

Question 6

What determines how a Fly line will Perform?

Answer 6

The three things that determine how a fly line will perform are:

weight,
length of front taper;
head length.

Question 7

What does Weight of head do?

Answer 7

The weight of the fly line determines how large of a fly that you can use.

If you’re throwing streamers, you need a heavier line.

If you’re throwing dries and nymphs, you’ll find that weight doesn’t impact your presentations of these as much as you would think.

Question 8

What does Front Taper Length do?

Answer 8

The length of your front taper impacts how your fly is delivered by dissipating off the last bit of energy remaining and disturbing water less.

For example, if you have a short front taper, then you’ll find that it’s better for larger flies. You’re able to easily cast them and turn the leader over.

If you have a longer front taper that is more progressive, then it’s perfect for smaller flies like dries and nymphs. You’re able to delicately present all of the patterns you throw. Ex Wulff Traingle Progressive.

Question 9

Why is Head length important?

Answer 9

The head length impacts your overall setup.

The length of the head Impacts how much line is released when you’re false casting.

It also plays a role in how you’re able to place your flies while they’re on the water.

Question 10

For leader/tippet sizes, the “x” system size diameter is what?

Answer 10

.001

Question 11

0x is base diameter, it equals what diameter

Answer 11

.011 (11,000ths) - base diameter.

Question 12

What do you need to add or subtract to go up or down diameter size?

Answer 12

.001
Example: 0x = .011
to get 1x, subtract .001 from .011 to equal .010 (1x size diameter)

To get 8x size (which is .003) subtract .008 (.001 x 8) from .011 (0x base) to get .003 diameter size.

Question 13

5x leader/tippet is what diameter?

Answer 13

.006 thousands

Math:
.011 (0x) minus .005 (.001 x 5) equal .006

Question 14

How many sections are built into a flyline?

Answer 14

5 primary

Question 15

What are the 5 primary sections of Flyline?

Answer 15

Sacrificial front (tip to 1 foot)
Front taper - part of head
Belly - part of head
Rear taper - part of head
Running line

Question 16

What does each section of the flyline do?

Answer 16

Sacrificial front - sacrificial
Front taper - determines how flylands
Belly - carries casts energy (responsible for energy)
Rear taper - castibility, how line fishes and performs
Running line - skinner than head, so it does not transfer energy. It’s included in overhang length

Question 17

Part of flyline responsible for carry energy?

Answer 17

Belly

Question 18

Part of flyline responsible for how fly lands?

Answer 18

Front taper

Question 19

Part of flyline responsible for how line casts and performs overall?

Answer 19

Rear taper and belly work together to

Question 20

What forms the head of the flyline?

Answer 20

The head is formed by three sections of the flyline:
Front taper
Belly
Rear taper

The length of the head determines the amount of line that can be effectively carried in the air while casting. The longer the head, the longer casting potential.

Question 21

What is the head of the flyline?

Answer 21

The head of the fly line is the section comprised of the front taper, belly, and rear taper.

The length of the head determines the amount of line that can be effectively carried in the air while casting. The longer the head, the longer casting potential.

Question 22

What has direct impact on casting distance?

Answer 22

Length of “head” and design of Taper.

Question 23

What is overhang & why is it important?

Answer 23

Overhang is distance from end of rear taper to rod tip.

Overhang does not transfer energy because running line is smaller than head or rear head.

Question 24

What H3F Royal Wulff Classic Taper flyline am I using & advantages?

Answer 24

7 wt, floating Royal Wulff Triangle (progressive) Taper Classic.

Benefits:
It provides an efficient transfer of casting energy and mechanical advantage as the line unrolls because heavier line is turning over lighter line.

This allows it to maximize distance and line control while presenting fly with ease & minimum disturbance.

Question 25

What are specs of my Royal Wulff Classic Taper

Answer 25

90’ - line length
40’ - head
Wulff does not give out size of front & rear taper
Front taper looks to be about 35’, WAY longer than rear
Rear taper looks very very short like maybe 5’
No belly taper on this line, taper is very long triangle to skinny pt.
50’ - running line
185 gr weight at 30’
255 gr. weight at 40’

Question 26

When to use different leader sizes?

Answer 26

7.5’ - tight spaces, close quarters, colored water (smaller diameter better)
3’ leader - salt water, line needs to be under water, fish not spooky (thicker diameter).

Longer leader for spooky fish, shorter leader for non-spooky fish.

Question 27

What is Running line?

Answer 27

The running line is the part of your fly line that connects to the backing on your reel.

It allows line to smooth pass through guides reducing friction to get longer casts.

Generally, you’ll find that it’s about half of your fly line.

Most fly lines are around 90′ long, so 40 to 45 feet of your line will be the running line.

Question 28

What is the Back Taper Section?

Answer 28

The back or rear taper is the connecting point between the running line and the belly. It transfers the energy from one section to the other.

If you have a shorter back taper, then you’ll notice that shooting line out is an easier and more smooth process. These are a great option if you’re throwing streamers and need to cover a decent amount of water.

If you have a longer back taper, then you’ll have far more control. A longer back taper makes for a great dry fly line. The longer the back taper, the smoother the cast and more control you have.

Again, if you’re making shorter casts, you may never get to the back taper, but when fishing larger bodies of water, you’ll regularly handle it.

Question 29

What is the Belly Section?

Answer 29

The belly section is the heaviest and widest part of the line.
(Royal Wulff Triangle Taper has no belly)

The size of this is the determining factor of how much power and energy the line creates.

Even if you are casting an extremely light fly, the belly of the line makes it possible to make longer casts.

If you have a long belly, then the rod is going to load a bit slower, so you’ll have to deal with a bit more line on your false casts. However, you do have more control as a result.
Throwing nymphs and dries with this line is your best bet.

If you have a shorter belly, then it’s likely heavier and you are able to shoot out quite a bit of line on your forward cast.
A short belly is good to use if you need to cover quite a bit of water. You can throw all types of flies with a shorter bellied line.

Question 30

What is Front Taper?

Answer 30

The front taper is where fly lines are the most different.

The point of the front taper is to help transition all of the energy and power that was formed in the back cast to “escape.” Then, you’re able to lay down your fly exactly where you would like.

A longer front taper gives the energy more of a chance to escape, so you’re able to lay down your flies with a more delicate presentation.
The longer tapered section is best for dry flies and nymphs.

If your front taper is shorter, then you have more power.
You can make casts in inclement weather and still hit the parts of the water you want. This shorter taper is better for heavier flies because they will not hit the water as delicately as you may like.

Question 31

What is Tip Section of Fly line?

Answer 31

The tip section of your fly line is there to harness that final bit of energy that needs to escape. Depending on how you’re fishing, you may want a long and thin tip or a short and thick tip.

A long and thin tip leads to more delicacy and better control. You can let the line unfurl and lay down gently on the water.

A short and thick tip gives you the power to make long casts and turn large flies.

Question 32

Benefits and Downside of WF Line?

Answer 32

Weight forward fly lines are fairly standard in the world of fly fishing.

1. The front taper builds momentum while longer running lines shoots smoother for distance.
   Weight forward lines have more weight and thickness added to the first 10 or so yards of the line.
2. Best for longer casts, heavier flies

These lines are great for making LONGER casts. The weight is all towards the front, so you have the necessary POWER to make your casts. You can also TURN OVER LARGER flies with a weight forward fly line.

DOWNSIDE: because so much weight forward, its harder to manipulate line at a distance, like water or reach mending, so line management becomes more difficult the further out it goes.

Question 33

Benefits & Downside of DT lines?

Answer 33

Double taper fly lines are great if:
1. You need a more delicate approach;
2. You want ability to control and manipulate your line on water at further distances.

Disadvantages:
1. Not as easy to cast as WF for distance.
2. They aren’t as good in windy weather conditions. The first five yards of the line gradually get wider. The middle 60 or so feet are all the same weight and width. The final five yards gradually gets thinner.

You are giving up distance over WF for control and delicacy of presentation.

The shape of the taper is symmetrical in that the transition at the back and front occurs over the same amount of distance. (If you cut line in half, both sides will mirror each other)

You have more control and feel with a double taper fly line.

Question 34

What taper for finesse dry fly fishing?

Answer 34

If you’re finesse fishing, you’re going to want to use a double taper fly line or at the very least a “finesse” version of a weight forward line.

Although you will give up distance over WF, you get better line management and more delicate presentations.

Either is perfect to help you fish with dry flies. You can make whatever casts you deem necessary and it can handle it.

You will notice that DT won’t stand up to the wind as well as a weight forward line would, but you can still make most of the casts you would want.

Most importantly, you can control exactly how the fly lays down on the water.

Question 35

What to use for Nymph fishing?

Answer 35

For nymphs, you also want to use a double taper fly line.

Nymphs are generally smaller and need to be cast in the proper area.

You’re likely wanting to pick an exact spot and create as little of a splash as possible. A double taper fly line will help you accomplish this.

Question 36

What taper to use for Streamer fishing?

Answer 36

Streamer fishing is best done with a weight forward fly line but also ST to get deep and fast far casts.
You have a shorter head and more weight up front.
Your rod will load easily even if with a small amount of line out so you can launch your fly wherever you would want.

A short rear taper will also help with quick powerful casts.

Plus, a weight forward line allows you to turn over flies in the wind.

Question 37

Best line for Roll casts?

Answer 37

WF or;
Long progressive taper like Wulf Classic where heavier line always turning over lighter line.

Question 38

What happens to leader when you lengthen it?

Answer 38

You allow more energy to dissipate along its longer length give you more feel, control, and delicate presentation.

Question 39

What happens when you shorten leader?

Answer 39

You TRANSFER more energy from rod to the fly. You get MORE POWER to turn over HEAVIER flies and can SHOOT FURTHER faster.

Question 40

What is tippet?

Answer 40

Tippet is a type of fly fishing line that is consistently the same weight, poundage, and diameter throughout the entire line with the purpose of being used in snippets.

Question 41

Why do we use tippet?

Answer 41

To preserve length of leaders which save re-rigging times and saves money.

Question 42

What are types of tippet?

Answer 42

Monofilament
Flourocarbon

Question 43

What are benefits on Monofilament?

Answer 43

• More stretch than flouro
• floats on water better (Slower sink rate)
• cheaper than flouro

Question 44

What are benefits of fluorocarbon?

Answer 44

1. Fluorocarbon has less stretch, resulting in more sensitivity and stronger hooksets.
2. It also sinks faster in the water column
3. Its more durable and abrasion resistant due to its hardness and the materials it is made of.
4. It’s also near invisible to the fish.

However, fluorocarbon is more susceptible to your knots breaking than monofilament and requires proper lubrication when you cinch your knots down.

More expensive than Mono.

Question 45

Common guideline to size tippet to fly?

Answer 45

Take the size of the fly and divide by 3.

Example:
Size 16 Parachute Adams, divide that fly size by 3.
In this example our fly is size
(16, divided by 3 gives you 5.3333)
That would work out to be approximately a 5X tippet.

Question 46

What are the parts of a leader?

Answer 46

1. Butt section;
2. Middle sections (usually tapered)
3. Tippet section (last section of leader)
   Can attach fly here or add more tippet as Tippet Section gets smaller from retying.

Question 47

What and why to use Shooting Tapers

Answer 47

They are mostly used by anglers targeting steelhead, salmon, certain saltwater species, or those fishing with two-handed rods, shooting head system is a great way to cast far or fish deep.

Heads range from floating to extremely fast sinking and are typically used one or two sizes heavier than the rod’s rating.

A heavy, short head design helps
- load the rod fast and;
- allows for quick, powerful casts with very minimal friction from the thin diameter running line as it zips through the guides.

A thin-diameter running line offers low resistance in the water which allows a fast-sinking head to get down in a hurry. This makes a shooting head an efficient means of fishing deep—including extremely deep. To put it in perspective, you can buy shooting head line that sinks at over 10 inches-per-second!

https://www.demystifly.com/post/2019/12/22/what-is-a-shooting-head-line-the-ultra-simple-version

Question 48

What H3D S.A. Mastery flyline am I using & advantages?

Answer 48

7WT, Floating S.A. Mastery Expert Distance Freshwater Line.

(Needed ORANGE line color and this is one of few options)
120’ length
87.4’ head
Running Line - 32.6’
Rear taper - ?
Belly - ?
Front taper - 15’
185g at 30’

Extra long head & rear taper allows:
- Smooth long distance casting;
- Exc. long-distance line control
- Excellent in wind
- Allows easier mending on water

Compound head design ensures strong turnover at distance.

Question 49

What H3D Ballistic flyline am I using & advantages?

Answer 49

WF, 7wt, F,
95 length
58’ head
Rear taper - 28’
Belly - 18’
Front taper - 12’
185g at 30’
Running Line - 37’

Consistent layout/roll-out performance;
58’ Head provides:
powerful roll-out,
great accuracy,
excellent mend-ability
outstanding long distance characteristics.