Wet /Sinking Leaders

[williamnbenoit]

Good morning ...

I fly fished with my Father my whole life until he passed away … I have not been fishing for a long time after his passing …

I am only interested in fly fishing for trout in streams - I am in Pennsylvania …


My Dad did everything for me when we were fishing … it was awesome … but the problem is that I want to get back to fishing and I do not know or understand some things that he did for me …


With dry fly fishing - I think that I am good to go …

Wet/sinking fly fishing is different …. I have done this in the past … but I have questions !! …

I have a large collection of Orvis rods, flies, etc …


I have many sinking fly lines on many spools … My question is related to the wet/sinking fly leaders that go with these lines …

What leaders are used for wet/sinking lines ?? … For example … I enjoy fishing a (4) weight rod - If I have a 4wt rod with a sinking line (only) on a spool … what is to be used as a leader ?? …

I have been searching for this for a long time …


Am I correct that sinking leaders should be about 3-4 feet long ?? … Then … what leader is to be used ?? … With dry fly leaders … I do have many leaders with numbers of 4X, 5X, and 6X - to match the rod number … For example my (4) weight rod uses a 4X line … correct ?? … but what about wet/sinking leaders ?? …

How do I finish my setups for wet/sinking fly fishing ?? … I remember fishing wooly buggers … great fun !! …

Wet/sinking leaders ?? … I am ready to purchase !! … What should I look for ?? …

I will take any information that you think I need at this point ...


Thank you soooooo much !! ...

 

[Bamboozle]

Good morning ...

I fly fished with my Father my whole life until he passed away … I have not been fishing for a long time after his passing …

I am only interested in fly fishing for trout in streams - I am in Pennsylvania …


My Dad did everything for me when we were fishing … it was awesome … but the problem is that I want to get back to fishing and I do not know or understand some things that he did for me …

Am I correct that sinking leaders should be about 3-4 feet long ?? … Then … what leader is to be used ?? … With dry fly leaders … I do have many leaders with numbers of 4X, 5X, and 6X - to match the rod number … For example my (4) weight rod uses a 4X line … correct ?? … but what about wet/sinking leaders ?? …

How do I finish my setups for wet/sinking fly fishing ?? … I remember fishing wooly buggers … great fun !! …

Wet/sinking leaders ?? … I am ready to purchase !! … What should I look for ?? …

First off welcome!!

Second, sorry about your dad...

In regards to your questions, a leader used with a sinking line is usually short so the sinking line can do its job of pulling the fly under the surface.

However, you will find it difficult to find a commercially made leader shorter than 7' long. For that reason many folks who use sinking lines to fish streamers just use a length of 20lb fishing line or leader material.

Next, other than situations fishing VERY deep in streams, lakes or in the salt, most folks trout fishing in PA don't find it necessary to use a sinking line to fish a Woolly Bugger.

A floating fly line with a shorter leader and a weighted Woolly Bugger will usually get the fly deep enough. If that isn't sufficient, there are other options besides a sinking line.

Finally, in regards to your comment:

...With dry fly leaders … I do have many leaders with numbers of 4X, 5X, and 6X - to match the rod number … For example my (4) weight rod uses a 4X line … correct ?? … but what about wet/sinking leaders ?? …

The X's refer to the diameter of the section of your leader you attach to your fly, known as the "tippet," NOT the fly line weight you use on your rod. The higher that X number (6X versus 4X for example), the SMALLER the diameter of the tippet.

It is perfectly possible & permissible to fish a leader with a 4X tippet on a 5wt, 3wt or even 6wt fly rod.

The tippet diameter or X number is more important to match to the size FLY you are attaching. Lower X numbers are fatter tippets that are most often used with bigger flies, like Woolly Buggers. Leaders with higher X number tippets are generally used with smaller flies like dry flies or nymphs.

There is a TON of other stuff in fly fishing to confuse you so I hope this helps a little.

Welcome to PAFF!!

 

[gfenlikestolosepasswords]

Why not keep it simple and start with one thing at a time, ie just work with the floating lines to start. Pick a 5 weight or 4 weight rod you liked, a line to match, and then go buy some leaders.

You can buy some 9' 5x leaders. The end of it is usually 18-24" of 5x tippet. You were already sort explained how that works. THere's no real difference in "wet" or "dry" here, because we're keeping it simple, dig?

Tie your dry fly on, or if you're using something that sinks tie that fly on then about 1.5x the depth of the water put some sort of strike indicator/bobber. Cast it out and fish it.

As you change flies or clear out wind knots, your 9' 5x leader will begin to shorten. Once you've clipped about 18" from it, take a spool of 5x tippet and tie 24" back on. Continue to fish til you use it up and repeat.

Once you get that down and understand the basics of rigging it up you can complicate your life with more choices.

Good luck.

 

[shakey]

I generally only use sinking lines in lakes,and very rarely in streams.

I use the same leaders for wet and dry lines

 

[6xAdams(Jones)]

Am I correct that sinking leaders should be about 3-4 feet long ?? … Then … what leader is to be used ?? … With dry fly leaders … I do have many leaders with numbers of 4X, 5X, and 6X - to match the rod number … For example my (4) weight rod uses a 4X line … correct ??

William,
I'll add to Bam's comment that usually (not always) 4X tippet material is ~ 4lb. test. As the _X number increases, the lb. test decreases by ~ 1 lb. (for each X), and as the _X number lb. test decreases by ~1 lb (until you get to the really heavy stuff). This only a general rule of thumb that can vary greatly depending on material and manufacturer (also true of tippet diameters brand-to-brand).
I know next to nothing about wet fly leaders since I only fish subsurface when my dry fly sinks.
I'm sorry about your dad. When mine passed away over 30 years ago, I only hunted the following fall. It wasn't the same without him, so I just stopped. Good for you picking up on flyfishing again.
Regards,
Glenn

 

[DO_inthewoods]

@Bamboozle said it best!

Looks like you're in Erie, I'm in Berks Co. Otherwise I'd offer to meet at a stream to get your feet wet again!

Also open to a phone call or texts if you want to chat!

 

[ROVERT]

There's lots of good advice above. I don't think you'll need or want a sinking line for trout fishing with a four weight.

William,
I'll add to Bam's comment that usually (not always) 4X tippet material is ~ 4lb. test. As the _X number increases, the lb. test decreases by ~ 1 lb. (for each X), and as the _X number lb. test decreases by ~1 lb (until you get to the really heavy stuff). This only a general rule of thumb that can vary greatly depending on material and manufacturer

FWIW, most modern 4X is going to be six or seven pound.

 

[6xAdams(Jones)]

FWIW, most modern 4X is going to be six or seven pound.

I suppose my spools of material are not as modern as others are.

 

[afishinado]

Tippet Chart | Fly Fishing How To

 

[DO_inthewoods]

There's lots of good advice above. I don't think you'll need or want a sinking line for trout fishing with a four weight.




FWIW, most modern 4X is going to be six or seven pound.

I bought some new SA nylon and had 6x on the other night. I was amazed at its strength, able to horse in fish without breaking

 

[6xAdams(Jones)]

I bought some new SA nylon and had 6x on the other night. I was amazed at its strength, able to horse in fish without breaking

My tippet material lb. test must be based on the strength of the knots I tie. 😀

 

[Bamboozle]

I bought some new SA nylon and had 6x on the other night. I was amazed at its strength, able to horse in fish without breaking

As someone who routinely fishes 6X - 8X tippets, for years I recommended that folks tie in some of their favorite tippet material in the lighter sizes and pull WITH A ROD & REEL COMBO until it breaks. Then do it a few times to get a feel for the breaking strength IN USE.

I think most folks would be shocked just like you that it is pretty strong. But more important;y, you'll realize just how much you can horse in a fish and NOT overplay it because you are afraid of a break-off.

 

[williamnbenoit]

Why not keep it simple and start with one thing at a time, ie just work with the floating lines to start. Pick a 5 weight or 4 weight rod you liked, a line to match, and then go buy some leaders.

You can buy some 9' 5x leaders. The end of it is usually 18-24" of 5x tippet. You were already sort explained how that works. THere's no real difference in "wet" or "dry" here, because we're keeping it simple, dig?

Tie your dry fly on, or if you're using something that sinks tie that fly on then about 1.5x the depth of the water put some sort of strike indicator/bobber. Cast it out and fish it.

As you change flies or clear out wind knots, your 9' 5x leader will begin to shorten. Once you've clipped about 18" from it, take a spool of 5x tippet and tie 24" back on. Continue to fish til you use it up and repeat.

Once you get that down and understand the basics of rigging it up you can complicate your life with more choices.

Good luck.

Great answer !! ... Thank you ...