Regulations on leaders

[kelso2340]

Alright gentlemen, I know this Euro nymphing thing has been beaten to death on the forum. However, I have two questions that you guys will be able to help me out with. 1.) I am aware that in fly fish only sections that the max leader length allowed is 18'. Does this mean that in any area outside of a FF only section there is no max allowable length enforced? 2.) Apparently I have been blinded to this style of nymphing because I was just introduced to the very very long leader style of nymphing. I have seen leaders as long as 46'. Has anybody ever actually tried leaders this long and how did it work for you personally? I feel like a leader that long would be very difficult to cast on smaller streams without a ton of weight. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[BrookieChaser]

1 - I don't see how leader length can matter outside of FF only areas. It's the same as using mono on a spinning reel.

2 - Just an FYI, Joe Humphreys talks about using mono in place of fly line due to drag while nymphing. I've never used a leader that long and have no plans to. Personally I find nymphing the most boring style of fly fishing, but it does produce fish.

 

[LouM]

I usually use from 14 to 16' anything longer becomes difficult to handle. However I am sure there are leader formulas for longer ones that can be found. But I think the regs. say 18' is the max leader length for fly fishing.
I find my success is good and I see no reason for me to go to a longer leader.

 

[geebee]

Why do you need a 14' leader when nymphing ?

Maybe it's because I use a DT line but I've never gone over 7ft.

 

[krayfish]

46' leader? That's called spin fishing. LMAO

 

[kelso2340]

LOL. I am serious. I was reading all about it today. They are readily available online. I found it hard to believe too.

http://www.onstream-guide.com/leader.html?unique=13378483949253942

 

[Fishidiot]

I've experimented a bit with mono instead of fly line and it does seem to work well for some types of chuck and duck nymphing where you're using a lot of weight down at the fly. Mono is less resistant to getting blown around by the wind and cuts thru current better than regular fly line. I also like it for some applications using heavy streamers. It's hard to see (obviously) and this can make strike detection a bit more difficult......and of course you can't cast it in a traditional fly fishing sense.

 

[geebee]

For chuck and duck, use Berkley Fireline - it comes in clear or red - it has no stretch and is incredibly thin.

 

[LouM]

geebe;
A 14' leader gives you better strike detection, there is no line on the water except for about 18" off of the rod tip. This gives you less line resistance and your flies get down faster and deeper. I use 5x for the tippet. I also catch a lot of fish this way.

 

[sandfly]

46' another fad started. I have been in this business for over 40 years and have seen fads come and go. this new one of long leaders is another old one revised.
Now Like loum I use from 9' to 22' on streams depending on what kind of stream. 22' was a favorite for the bushkill in Easton. on the brookie streams here I average 5' to 7'6" for leaders. I am not big on straight line but prefer a taper even for chuck and duck (3 sections)