I was not aware that you made adaptive video last year with Covid and losing my job I just now realized you have a new video that I will be purchasing I love you to other videos have helped me tremendously and have got to meet you guys here in Colorado back in 2016 for the world championships thank you for what you guys do keep up the work
I'm glad you made this video because now I don't have to fast forward through Adaptive fly fishing (not that I don't already watch it repetitively) but this serves as a nice 'bookmark'. Thanks Devin!
Fantastic fly fishing tutorial. I certainly enjoyed watching the different ways in building leaders. Thank you for sharing, it really is a great video.
I needed a guide to figure out a good dry dropper leader. Once again thank you. You don’t know what kind of monster you have created through your videos and books. My dry dropper game needed some pick up and I think you just handed me the key.
Great video. Last weekend we found some fish rising in 28° weather and made do with our standard euro leaders by tying 5 or 6x tippet onto the end of the leader and throwing size 16 Parachute Hair's ears. The highlight of my day was when a 17" brown slurped my dry right at the end of the drift and I was able to bring him to the net. I'm going to start playing around with smaller leader formulas this spring/summer.
Love how informational/helpful your videos are! ...just picked up your book Tactical Fly Fishing - just started it with a cup of coffee this morning - already loving it. Tight lines!
@@humbertobarkley3173 we have a warehouse in Springville Utah. We don’t have a standard storefront but folks are welcome to pick up orders if they’re local.
Thanks for the video. Great information. I have been reading a lot about leaders recently and hope to start building my own. The info in this video will give me a great start!
These short videos are great additions. As others have posted I definitely recommend purchasing your book and downloading both videos. I routinely refer back to the leader (and other) sections of your book to refresh myself on the basics. Thanks!
Appreciate the intel. Started tight-lining with a constructed mono-rig (props to Dom at Troutbitten) attached to a 4wt fly line via a perfection loop I put on the end of my mono-rig. Tightlining/Euronymphing ..whatever you want to call it, was still a new concept to me & keeping the fly line out of the guides prevented sag. When rises started in earnest, I’d take it off and stow it, which was quite onerous - coiling/trying not to rush then tying new leader for & the flies etc..during a happy hour sulphur hatch, it was 1/2 over before I finished - so I started carrying a cheaper Lamson 4wt reel to swap out with my Sage ESN reel to toss dries. All that being said (there was a point), it’s time to change out the fly line on that Sage reel to Euro line, which I know you mentioned in the q’s…recommendations on a specific brand for a 10.5 3wt nymphing rod? And not sure I saw it in all 119 comments preceding mine but attaching the line to the micro leader…mail knot?? I’m pretty good at tuck casting & my drifts after 4 years of this but always trying to improve but nonetheless filling my cart as an appreciative gesture for your efforts & patience & will grab your book after all the glowing reviews- thank you & tightlines!
th-cam.com/video/gTprhIs5UEs/w-d-xo.html Tim, you can use the micro loop in the above video. You can also put a tippet ring on the loop if you like. You can also get the Airflo euro line we sell in the shop which as a really small loop already included. That line is very good as well.
Thanks again for the great content Devin. I just bought some Scafars Neon from the online store so good to see how you use it. I purchased some other goodies as well. It got here fast and everything looks great. Can't wait to take it out and try it on the water. Keep up the great vids.
Buy the videos gents your learning curve will shorten drastically. I asked Lance 10 years ago what good euro nymphing videos were out there. There were non until devin and lance did this series.
@Tactical Fly Fisher, bought all 3 of your vids, great stuff, learnt a lot from you and Lance. Apologies if already covered this somewhere, but how do you connect 3x-4x micro thin leader to the fly line? I like to keep the fly line on reel for when switching tactics. Right now I'm micro looping 3-4x directly with fly line loop. Also, is there a reason that you prefer keeping the indicator mono length at 13-14' feet. I was trying the rig out the other day, and to get more distance, I had to get some of the fly line into the guides, which the pulls back on the light mono. Seems to me 25' of indicator mono would be more flexible, so get none of the fly line off the spool, but suspect must be some wisdom in keeping it at 13'-14' ft
Are you using a Euro line for your leader? If you are you shouldn't get much sag. I keep the mono around 13' so I can strip fly line when managing slack or fighting fish. The thin mono is difficult to handle comparatively. I use a double Davy or 16/20 knot to connect it to the micro loop.
@@tacticalflyfisher3817 , thanks for your reply! No, I'm using regular weight-forward fly line. I think what was happening was when maneuvering rod while fly not anchored in water, fly line would pull the mono back through guides. Didn't realize you were using a euro line; Thanks for the clarification. And makes sense why you keep the leader at that length. Cheers!
@@musphuss if you plan to stick with a weight forward line you’ll definitely need to lengthen your leader a lot. There’s no way to keep that thicker line from sagging if it makes it above your hand along the rod.
Hello, question when streamer fishing. I saw the video and the setup but when your streamer fishing, are you casting out far so that your fly line is out flowing out the rod and guides and then retrieving with the hand? thank you......
There are two ways I fish streamers. The first would be casting and retrieving them as you described. Typically, this is on a heavier weight rod and often with a sink tip or full sinking line. The other way is by using jig streamers on the nymphing leader I show in this video but by using 5x or heavier tippet.
With any nymph rig set up, do you fish the whole out through the rod tip or do you have the but end part of that leader closer to the reel and under your finger so that you can have tactile feel for the take?
With the length of leader in this video, the Euro nymph line will be in my fingers during the drift. It would have to be a very short range cast to have the leader in my fingers. You can certainly lengthen your leader to have it in your fingers during the drift as well.
Thank you for your videos. Very informative and well done. Are you using the same rod when you switch from micro leader to dry fly leader? What length and weight is it? Thanks!
Tom, I'm using a 9' 4 weight T and T Paradigm or Avantt for my dry fly leaders. I'm using lots of different Euro nymph rods for the micro leader with the T and T Contact II 10' 9"3 weight, 10' 3 weight, and 10' 2 weight being the most common.
Tom, I'm using a 9' 4 weight T and T Paradigm or Avantt for my dry fly leaders. I'm using lots of different Euro nymph rods for the micro leader with the T and T Contact II 10' 9"3 weight, 10' 3 weight, and 10' 2 weight being the most common.
Tom, I'm using a 9' 4 weight T and T Paradigm or Avantt for my dry fly leaders. I'm using lots of different Euro nymph rods for the micro leader with the T and T Contact II 10' 9"3 weight, 10' 3 weight, and 10' 2 weight being the most common.
On the dry-fly set up.. Are you using a blood knot to connect the Maxima Chameleon and how many loops are you creating for each knot? Apologies in advance for (probably) over thinking this..
Yes, I'm using blood knots. In thicker material I only use 3 turns. For 8 to 10 lb maxima I usually use 4 turns. Once I'm down to 3x or 4x diameter and smaller I use 5.
Great explanation...I'm laughing to myself because I was one of the guys that asked a million questions about your leader setup. One other (dumbish) question: do you switch rods when going between your nymphing rig and dry fly rig?
Hi when fishing big dries like hoppers do you still use the long delicate leader? Do you use flourocarbon for your tippet section and do you grease your leader/tippet?
I will still use this leader if that’s what I have on hand but I’ll cut it back and fish heavier tippet. Otherwise I will use a 10 or 12’ commercial tapered leader and add tippet if necessary for bigger foam flies. I do use fluorocarbon tippet. I do grease the leader but never the tippet as I want the tippet to be able to sink and break its imprint on the surface.
We have lots of options on our site at tacticalflyfisher.com I use the Sempe indicator mono a lot but Cortland, Rio, Umpqua, Fulling Mill, and JMC have brighter options.
My preferred trout dry fly rod is a 7.5 foot, 3/2, 3-weight bamboo with a WF-4-F line on a Peerless 1A fly reel. I've been using 7-1/2' 4X to 7X tapered leaders which I extend, as needed, with 5X to 8X tippet. Is there a better way? I have experimented using sections from 10' very light leaders to extend my 7-1/2' 4X leaders in an effort to replenish taper with minimal blood knots. What would you recommend for a dry fly leader design for this rod of medium action. I cast mostly size 14 - 22 flies on smaller trout streams in the Driftless Regions of Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. I also use a Sage Graphite III GFL 379 LLB fly rod for the larger trout streams in my area. This rod is pretty good for wets, nymphs, small streamers, terrestrials, and dries where the canopies of foliage are less intrusive. I always seek to improve leader design for short and medium distance casting. I enjoyed your videos...wonder if your leader formulas can be scaled down a bit for shorter rods? Ron
Ron, I haven't fished short soft rods much for a long time so I'm not sure how I would personally change the leader to suit your rod. However, I'm sure you could adapt my leader to what you need by fishing it and then cutting back individual sections until you get the performance you like.
Great video. Would Maxima Chameleon be an OK substitute for Fluorocarbon for the 20 & 15 lb. sections of the streamer leader? Or is there some characteristic of the fluorocarbon (such as sink rate) that make it the go-to material? I ask as, I don't have much need for 20lb and 15lb fluorocarbon other than streamer leaders, but I do have 20 and 15lb chameleon lying around from use in dry fly leaders.
Chameleon should be fine for the streamer leader. You just want to make sure you have some tippet in between to distance the fly from the brown material.
Hi Devin, is there a reason that you use longer tippet section in your micro leader vs the other euro nymphing leaders from prior videos? Before it seemed the whole tippet was 1.5-2x water depth and now it’s twice the length of the rod which is A lot longer and moves the sighter from above the tippet ring to the tippet and didn’t know your thoughts. Thanks again!
We show this several times in our full length instructional film Adaptive Fly Fishing. You can pick it up at the links below. www.tacticalflyfisher.com/adaptive-fly-fishing-strategies-for-diverse-water-types-dvd/ vimeo.com/ondemand/adaptiveflyfishing
With the dry fly leader are you switching lines to a regular floating weight forward or DT line? If so, do you still use your euro nymph rod or a different rod?
I use a standard WF floating fly line (usually a more delicate taper) with the dry fly leader and a level Euro nymphing line with the micro thin Euro nymph leader. I normally use a shorter 3 or 4 weight for the dry fly leader but other folks will still use a Euro rod if they only want to pack one rod.
hey Devin, great video as usual, I have all of your videos and am a regular at tactical. looking for a new chest type fishing pack--my BW chest pac no longr being made. What chest rig are you using in your video--Which Leaders Do I Use For Euro Nymphing, Dry Dropper, Dry Flies, and Streamers?--where can i get one. Thanks, jerry Tomasso, glenwood springs
What euro rod size and line would work best with suspension rigs? I’m asking because even though I predominantly fish euro style, the two big rivers that I fish most commonly get very windy since they are in canyons or deep valleys. With this in mind, I find that I’m often breaking out my backup rod for those windy days to fish a suspension rig. I also fish dry droppers in the summer more often then not.
I would use a 4 weight or a fast 3 weight if you’re going to attach an indicator. You shouldn’t fish a micro leader with an indicator though. It works with a dry on the tag but can’t turn over a larger indicator.
Devin that is awesome stuff. I have been toying around with using inverted tungsten beads and jig hooks and they come out looking awesome. The bead sits perfectly without that wonky look like on a standard nymph hook. Do you have any thoughts on that. Thank you! Sam
I will go as light as 5.5x. You just need to make sure that the material is at least 1-2 sizes larger than your tippet or the sighter side of the tippet ring connection is likely to break before the tippet.
Devin, what’s a good leader formula for a dry dropper/ floating sighter that won’t spook fish in low clear water. I have been using the one you had a few years ago with 12” of clear mono 8lb. Before tippet ring
Hi Devin, question about the dry fly leader: you finish it with 4lbs chameleon but 5x and even 6x tippet usually have a higher resistance (chameleon is terrible is size to resistance ratio as I'm sure you know), isn't that an issue? Is Maxima's 4lbs a real resistance higher than the usual 5lbs tippet? Or the know tippet to fly would break before the 4lbs chameleon? Thanks
The tippet is variable. I fish 7x most of the time with the leader and 6x with larger dries. I’ve never had the chameleon break as long as you tie a micro perfection loop instead of a tippet knot.
@@tacticalflyfisher3817 thanks for the quick reply! When you say tippet knot you mean a clinch on a tippet ring for example right? If I can take the opportunity for another question, you mention larger flies, something as big a size 8 stimulator or a terrestrial for example, or for those you would scale up the whole leader? Thanks again
@@fabmason I don't use clinch knots for anything under about 1x (see my 16/20 knot video). What I'm saying is use a micro perfection loop at the end of the chameleon instead of a tippet ring. Then tie the tippet to the perfection loop with a double davy or 16/20 knot. For a large stimulator, I would just experiment with the tippet length and diameter. You'd need to change leaders though if you fish foam flies because they have a lot more weight.
I don't. You can read about the specifics of the rods and lines I tend to use in this blog post. www.tacticalflyfisher.com/blog/world-fly-fishing-championships-2022-in-asturias-spain-session-three-on-the-trubia-river/
For a beginner in fly fishing with some experience in spinning, would you suggest to go straight to Euro Nymphing with a 10' rod #3 weight set up or should start with a "regular" fly fishing setup? I've just started the book and I love it so far.
There’s no reason not to do both eventually. Being well rounded in fly fishing is good for adapting to all situations. I would probably start someone euro nymphing without hesitation but not start with the leaders I show in this video. I would begin with the thicker tapered leaders I describe in my book and in Modern Nymphing.
@@tacticalflyfisher3817 Thank you for your kind reply! Since I want to limit my expenses in the beginning, I’ll start with a 10’ #3 rod with the leaders described in the book.
It is a lot harder to apply and get off the leader than skafars. It also is hard to add in a thin layer that won't add extra weight. Skafars is preferable in my eyes.
Hey Devin. Great video. I like to read the comments to make sure I’m not repeating questions but there are a ton here so I apologize if I repeat a question. If you are using a store bought delicate leader and wanted to add a dry dropper to it would you use a triple surgeons not to add this on in a length for the depth you want to fish two feet grime the terminal end of the store bought leader?? Thx!
Chris, if you are just adding tippet then a triple surgeon's or blood knot would both work. If you are making a dropper tag with the store bought leader and adding tippet for the nymph, then the triple surgeon's is what I would use as blood knots fail if you try and make dropper tags from them.
@@tacticalflyfisher3817 awesome. Thanks so much for answering this question as well as my others on other videos. Your great videos and customer service has earned my business on your site. Much appreciated!
@@tacticalflyfisher3817 hello again. Just noticed on some regulations for this river I’m fishing this weekend and it says I can only use 18’ of total mono. So would I just take the your micro leader formula and adjust it proportionally to the 18 feet? Or do you recommend some other formula. Thx
So are you still using a micro thin leader for dry/dropper? If so are you tying the dry off the top tag or the tippet ring? Do you change from fluoro to mono for the dry? Thanks man! Great video as always.
This is a wonderful video. However, if you thought that it would stop the avalanche of questions, you might wish to reconsider. For example, could you explain why you need a sighter and a waxed portion of your tippet. If you're using the latter for strike detection, isn't the former superfluous?
The sighter portion is needed to see how to unravel it if it wraps around the rod. Clear tippet is impossible to see when it wraps around the rod. Tippet also tends to curl when it's stripped through the guides repeatedly. Some brands of sighter material avoid this (Sempe for example) in the sizes I use it in. The sighter is also dramatically less expensive than the same length of fluorocarbon tippet and rebuilding at the junction will save a lot of money compared to re-rigging the whole thing.
@@tacticalflyfisher3817 Great answer. Thank you. I have another question, if you don't mind. I understand that the use of neon wax is somewhat controversial in the comp world (because it alters the diameter of the leader, albeit in a minute way). Were wax to be banned, how would you alter your leader (especially your tippet)?
This may be a silly question, but how do you keep the NEON Wax from getting all over you ? I use it as well, and inevitably, it goes from my thumb to my gear, ie clothing, sometimes the cork etc. I usually carry a small rag for it but let me know if you have any tricks to help out ! Thanks D!
I have a small dry fly towel that I keep in the same pocket as the wax to wipe it off when I want to reapply it. I also use it to wipe it off my thumb as soon as I apply it. If the wax is warm it tends to spread more as well so I will put it underwater to chill it before applying if necessary.
I normally use the Sempe indicator mono we sell in our shop. We also have other brighter indicator nylon from Cortland, Rio, Umpqua, and Fulling Mill that are good as well.
I am new to fly fishing (well, I did some fly fishing for bluegill and perch as a boy 50+ years ago, but I don't think that counts for much!), and very new to Euro-nymphing. Your videos and book are super helpful. I like to wade up stream a fair amount so only carry one rod most of the time. I am fishing modest sized rivers and streams in water with mostly modest size fish (did catch an 18" rainbow the other day!) So switching out leaders needs to be easy. So I left the loop to loop. So to keep that connection from being a problem, I just use a 25 ft leader of 15# Maxima and 3 feet of tri-color sighter to the tippet ring, and about 5 feet of tippet (depending). The fly line simply stays on the reel as I can only cast but so far. Is that sensible? Or am I over looking something and there is a much better way (but still easy to swap leaders at will)? Thanks much again for all your instruction and help. Oh, bought some sighter wax from you the other day, might just do away with the sighter.
That's a good plan if you're going to stick with one rod. You could also switch spools/reels or use a short Euro nymph line like the SA Euro nymph kit. But if what you are using is working then stick with it.
Are you using a “competition” fly line and just changing your leader on the stream as the situation changes? Thanks for all the great info! Love your content and materials from your store!
Totally my opinion... but there needs to be more TOTAL beginner euro nymphing content. It is these kinds of instructional videos that totally ruined my introduction to "euro nymphing". It made me think I had to make the exact same leader, or that I had to have the exact same type of euro nymphs, or the exact kind of rod/reel/line, etc, etc. The absolute best way to ruin a new passion is to overcomplicate everything right out of the gate. I wish someone would have just told me to go out and experiment. First, take off the indicator and see what happens. Then try heavier nymphs and a longer leader. Most importantly, keep your floating line inside the guides. Forget the new rod/reel/line and just use your 9-footer setup at first. Have fun, see what works, and get a "feel" for it. Worry about all the technical stuff later.
As someone who's been getting into euro fishing this summer to get ready for my first year of winter fly fishing, i've been using the rio euro shorty attached to the end of my standard WF line, with a short leader butt section (~4ft), about 2ft of indicator line, and then my tippet ring and tippet below. It's been successful, but I don't think it's quite as successful as the micro mono leader, but i'm also not competing and it's super quick and easy to change up my system to dry fly fishing as I only bring one rod with me. Check out George Daniels intro leader here, it's what I started with th-cam.com/video/SWjCPVA6fmY/w-d-xo.htmlsi=JZCIgRAVzXGlhWkE&t=948
@@ph1shstyx , thanks boss! Yeah I've heard people have been happy with the shorty, it makes sense for a beginner and I wish I had used it when I got started. I've been doing it a while now so I have a much better understanding of everything. Now I make all my own leaders, ususlly keeping one available for heavy nymphing and streamers and another for the rest. I like keeping everything on a mono mainline, but I have experimented with an extension to my WF floating line too. I just think it's easier to switch a spool. I still haven't seen the purpose of buying a euro line or euro reel. Euro Rod, I definitely understand. I get the full-cage concept to protect the line, but I think most half-cage reels these days are adequate, and large arbor seems to be the standard for everything anyways. In the end though, there is no rules. Whatever you like and whatever works is my motto.
Thanks to you and Lance, always appreciate your knowledge
Thanks for watching!
Tanks so much Mate .So good pic and understanding for newbee anglers like me . From NZ fans
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.
I was not aware that you made adaptive video last year with Covid and losing my job I just now realized you have a new video that I will be purchasing I love you to other videos have helped me tremendously and have got to meet you guys here in Colorado back in 2016 for the world championships thank you for what you guys do keep up the work
I'm glad you made this video because now I don't have to fast forward through Adaptive fly fishing (not that I don't already watch it repetitively) but this serves as a nice 'bookmark'. Thanks Devin!
Glad it was helpful!
Fantastic fly fishing tutorial. I certainly enjoyed watching the different ways in building leaders. Thank you for sharing, it really is a great video.
Glad you enjoyed it. Happy fishing.
I needed a guide to figure out a good dry dropper leader. Once again thank you. You don’t know what kind of monster you have created through your videos and books. My dry dropper game needed some pick up and I think you just handed me the key.
Have fun on the water!
you had to tie seven knots to get to that leader though right?
Great video. Last weekend we found some fish rising in 28° weather and made do with our standard euro leaders by tying 5 or 6x tippet onto the end of the leader and throwing size 16 Parachute Hair's ears. The highlight of my day was when a 17" brown slurped my dry right at the end of the drift and I was able to bring him to the net. I'm going to start playing around with smaller leader formulas this spring/summer.
Good stuff. Have fun out there.
Great video, enjoyed and learned. I'm trying your dry fly set up as soon as i get on the water.
Have fun!
Thank you Thank you..
I had the same question like other guys. It's answered now.
Thanks again Devin
Glad it helped Victor.
Thanks Devin, enjoyed the education on leaders. Good video
Thank you
Love how informational/helpful your videos are! ...just picked up your book Tactical Fly Fishing - just started it with a cup of coffee this morning - already loving it. Tight lines!
Thanks! I hope you enjoy the rest of the book. Have fun on the water. Devin.
Great stuff as usual! You have taken my fishing to another level. Love your store and books/videos!! Keep em coming
Will do and thanks.
Where is your fishing store at?
@@humbertobarkley3173 we have a warehouse in Springville Utah. We don’t have a standard storefront but folks are welcome to pick up orders if they’re local.
Thanks for the video. Great information. I have been reading a lot about leaders recently and hope to start building my own. The info in this video will give me a great start!
Glad it helped. Happy fishing.
These short videos are great additions. As others have posted I definitely recommend purchasing your book and downloading both videos. I routinely refer back to the leader (and other) sections of your book to refresh myself on the basics. Thanks!
Awesome, thank you!
Thanks for all your help I love buying from your shop you have all the coolest stuff
We certainly appreciate the support
Appreciate the intel. Started tight-lining with a constructed mono-rig (props to Dom at Troutbitten) attached to a 4wt fly line via a perfection loop I put on the end of my mono-rig. Tightlining/Euronymphing ..whatever you want to call it, was still a new concept to me & keeping the fly line out of the guides prevented sag. When rises started in earnest, I’d take it off and stow it, which was quite onerous - coiling/trying not to rush then tying new leader for & the flies etc..during a happy hour sulphur hatch, it was 1/2 over before I finished - so I started carrying a cheaper Lamson 4wt reel to swap out with my Sage ESN reel to toss dries.
All that being said (there was a point), it’s time to change out the fly line on that Sage reel to Euro line, which I know you mentioned in the q’s…recommendations on a specific brand for a 10.5 3wt nymphing rod? And not sure I saw it in all 119 comments preceding mine but attaching the line to the micro leader…mail knot??
I’m pretty good at tuck casting & my drifts after 4 years of this but always trying to improve but nonetheless filling my cart as an appreciative gesture for your efforts & patience & will grab your book after all the glowing reviews- thank you & tightlines!
*nail
th-cam.com/video/gTprhIs5UEs/w-d-xo.html
Tim, you can use the micro loop in the above video. You can also put a tippet ring on the loop if you like. You can also get the Airflo euro line we sell in the shop which as a really small loop already included. That line is very good as well.
Great video - love the hookset at ~8.30 in. Waiting to get back to the rivers at the moment - confined to 5km from home :(
Thanks again for the great content Devin. I just bought some Scafars Neon from the online store so good to see how you use it. I purchased some other goodies as well. It got here fast and everything looks great. Can't wait to take it out and try it on the water. Keep up the great vids.
Thanks Gary. Glad you enjoyed the video.
Another great video from TTF. I recommend both videos and Devin’s book.
Best book, and videos available...
Buy the videos gents your learning curve will shorten drastically. I asked Lance 10 years ago what good euro nymphing videos were out there. There were non until devin and lance did this series.
We appreciate the support.
Great video. But I have to ask… how much stuff do you carry for a day of fishing. Two packs and a mess in front. Haha
What can I say, I've never been accused of being a minimalist when it comes to fishing gear :)
Great info
Thanks. Hopefully it helped.
Opening segment. Devin it looks you merch from your entire store strapped to your torso. 😀
He even has the gloves with the cut off fingers.
Hey what's your leader setup 😅. Thanks for the video
@@michaelsimi2397 hopefully it helps.
Very informative. Thanks
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.
THANK YOU
You’re welcome. Thanks for watching.
@Tactical Fly Fisher, bought all 3 of your vids, great stuff, learnt a lot from you and Lance.
Apologies if already covered this somewhere, but how do you connect 3x-4x micro thin leader to the fly line? I like to keep the fly line on reel for when switching tactics. Right now I'm micro looping 3-4x directly with fly line loop.
Also, is there a reason that you prefer keeping the indicator mono length at 13-14' feet. I was trying the rig out the other day, and to get more distance, I had to get some of the fly line into the guides, which the pulls back on the light mono. Seems to me 25' of indicator mono would be more flexible, so get none of the fly line off the spool, but suspect must be some wisdom in keeping it at 13'-14' ft
Are you using a Euro line for your leader? If you are you shouldn't get much sag. I keep the mono around 13' so I can strip fly line when managing slack or fighting fish. The thin mono is difficult to handle comparatively. I use a double Davy or 16/20 knot to connect it to the micro loop.
@@tacticalflyfisher3817 , thanks for your reply! No, I'm using regular weight-forward fly line. I think what was happening was when maneuvering rod while fly not anchored in water, fly line would pull the mono back through guides.
Didn't realize you were using a euro line; Thanks for the clarification.
And makes sense why you keep the leader at that length.
Cheers!
@@musphuss if you plan to stick with a weight forward line you’ll definitely need to lengthen your leader a lot. There’s no way to keep that thicker line from sagging if it makes it above your hand along the rod.
Thanks!!
Hello, question when streamer fishing. I saw the video and the setup but when your streamer fishing, are you casting out far so that your fly line is out flowing out the rod and guides and then retrieving with the hand? thank you......
There are two ways I fish streamers. The first would be casting and retrieving them as you described. Typically, this is on a heavier weight rod and often with a sink tip or full sinking line. The other way is by using jig streamers on the nymphing leader I show in this video but by using 5x or heavier tippet.
Thanks, as usual, for a great video. One last, I hope, leader question: What is your formula and rod/line combo for loch style fishing?
th-cam.com/video/PFArgpqw1-Y/w-d-xo.html
10’ 6 weight Avantt
Thanks.
With any nymph rig set up, do you fish the whole out through the rod tip or do you have the but end part of that leader closer to the reel and under your finger so that you can have tactile feel for the take?
With the length of leader in this video, the Euro nymph line will be in my fingers during the drift. It would have to be a very short range cast to have the leader in my fingers. You can certainly lengthen your leader to have it in your fingers during the drift as well.
Thank you for your videos. Very informative and well done. Are you using the same rod when you switch from micro leader to dry fly leader? What length and weight is it? Thanks!
Tom, I'm using a 9' 4 weight T and T Paradigm or Avantt for my dry fly leaders. I'm using lots of different Euro nymph rods for the micro leader with the T and T Contact II 10' 9"3 weight, 10' 3 weight, and 10' 2 weight being the most common.
Tom, I'm using a 9' 4 weight T and T Paradigm or Avantt for my dry fly leaders. I'm using lots of different Euro nymph rods for the micro leader with the T and T Contact II 10' 9"3 weight, 10' 3 weight, and 10' 2 weight being the most common.
Tom, I'm using a 9' 4 weight T and T Paradigm or Avantt for my dry fly leaders. I'm using lots of different Euro nymph rods for the micro leader with the T and T Contact II 10' 9"3 weight, 10' 3 weight, and 10' 2 weight being the most common.
Great video!! Thank you
Thanks for watching!
Awesome
On the dry-fly set up.. Are you using a blood knot to connect the Maxima Chameleon and how many loops are you creating for each knot? Apologies in advance for (probably) over thinking this..
Yes, I'm using blood knots. In thicker material I only use 3 turns. For 8 to 10 lb maxima I usually use 4 turns. Once I'm down to 3x or 4x diameter and smaller I use 5.
Good video.
Great explanation...I'm laughing to myself because I was one of the guys that asked a million questions about your leader setup. One other (dumbish) question: do you switch rods when going between your nymphing rig and dry fly rig?
Please see The comment from LP and Don Stieler
What is the lanyard that Devin is using. Looks like a box is Attached as well as tippet and accessories.
It is a lanyard from Golden Trout Lanyards.
Hi when fishing big dries like hoppers do you still use the long delicate leader? Do you use flourocarbon for your tippet section and do you grease your leader/tippet?
I will still use this leader if that’s what I have on hand but I’ll cut it back and fish heavier tippet. Otherwise I will use a 10 or 12’ commercial tapered leader and add tippet if necessary for bigger foam flies. I do use fluorocarbon tippet. I do grease the leader but never the tippet as I want the tippet to be able to sink and break its imprint on the surface.
What kind of indicator mono 4x are you useing to make the micro leader? Im haveing trouble finding this line...
We have lots of options on our site at tacticalflyfisher.com
I use the Sempe indicator mono a lot but Cortland, Rio, Umpqua, Fulling Mill, and JMC have brighter options.
How would you modify the leader for Lake Erie Steelhead fishing?
I would pick your tippet size, then make the colored "butt section" portion of the leader one to two sizes larger than your tippet.
My preferred trout dry fly rod is a 7.5 foot, 3/2, 3-weight bamboo with a WF-4-F line on a Peerless 1A fly reel. I've been using 7-1/2' 4X to 7X tapered leaders which I extend, as needed, with 5X to 8X tippet.
Is there a better way? I have experimented using sections from 10' very light leaders to extend my 7-1/2' 4X leaders in an effort to replenish taper with minimal blood knots. What would you recommend for a dry fly leader design for this rod of medium action. I cast mostly size 14 - 22 flies on smaller trout streams in the Driftless Regions of Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. I also use a Sage Graphite III GFL 379 LLB fly rod for the larger trout streams in my area. This rod is pretty good for wets, nymphs, small streamers, terrestrials, and dries where the canopies of foliage are less intrusive. I always seek to improve leader design for short and medium distance casting. I enjoyed your videos...wonder if your leader formulas can be scaled down a bit for shorter rods? Ron
Ron, I haven't fished short soft rods much for a long time so I'm not sure how I would personally change the leader to suit your rod. However, I'm sure you could adapt my leader to what you need by fishing it and then cutting back individual sections until you get the performance you like.
Great video. Would Maxima Chameleon be an OK substitute for Fluorocarbon for the 20 & 15 lb. sections of the streamer leader? Or is there some characteristic of the fluorocarbon (such as sink rate) that make it the go-to material? I ask as, I don't have much need for 20lb and 15lb fluorocarbon other than streamer leaders, but I do have 20 and 15lb chameleon lying around from use in dry fly leaders.
Chameleon should be fine for the streamer leader. You just want to make sure you have some tippet in between to distance the fly from the brown material.
Hi Devin, is there a reason that you use longer tippet section in your micro leader vs the other euro nymphing leaders from prior videos? Before it seemed the whole tippet was 1.5-2x water depth and now it’s twice the length of the rod which is A lot longer and moves the sighter from above the tippet ring to the tippet and didn’t know your thoughts. Thanks again!
The wax is my real sighter in this instance. The long tippet allows me to move my wax sighter to a range of depths.
when you say 13' of indicator mono are you using Cortland indicator mono in white? or something like SA tricolored sighter?
I’m using the Sempe indicator nylon we have in the shop or the new Cortland tri color.
So in this setup for the euro leader, is the 12-13’ of indicator mono tied directly to the fly line?
Correct.
Is there a video of yours on how to fish this streamer setup you use at the end? I guess you do it euro style?
We show this several times in our full length instructional film Adaptive Fly Fishing. You can pick it up at the links below.
www.tacticalflyfisher.com/adaptive-fly-fishing-strategies-for-diverse-water-types-dvd/
vimeo.com/ondemand/adaptiveflyfishing
With the dry fly leader are you switching lines to a regular floating weight forward or DT line? If so, do you still use your euro nymph rod or a different rod?
I use a standard WF floating fly line (usually a more delicate taper) with the dry fly leader and a level Euro nymphing line with the micro thin Euro nymph leader.
I normally use a shorter 3 or 4 weight for the dry fly leader but other folks will still use a Euro rod if they only want to pack one rod.
Thanks for asking (and Devin for answering). I had the identical question!
@@tacticalflyfisher3817 Thanks for asking and answering as well. My question is answered. Great video!
hey Devin,
great video as usual, I have all of your videos and am a regular at tactical.
looking for a new chest type fishing pack--my BW chest pac no longr being made. What
chest rig are you using in your video--Which Leaders Do I Use For Euro Nymphing, Dry Dropper, Dry Flies, and Streamers?--where can i get one. Thanks, jerry Tomasso, glenwood springs
I had a Golden Trout Lanyard in that video.
What euro rod size and line would work best with suspension rigs? I’m asking because even though I predominantly fish euro style, the two big rivers that I fish most commonly get very windy since they are in canyons or deep valleys. With this in mind, I find that I’m often breaking out my backup rod for those windy days to fish a suspension rig. I also fish dry droppers in the summer more often then not.
I would use a 4 weight or a fast 3 weight if you’re going to attach an indicator. You shouldn’t fish a micro leader with an indicator though. It works with a dry on the tag but can’t turn over a larger indicator.
Devin that is awesome stuff. I have been toying around with using inverted tungsten beads and jig hooks and they come out looking awesome. The bead sits perfectly without that wonky look like on a standard nymph hook. Do you have any thoughts on that. Thank you! Sam
I’ve used inverted beads on jig hooks too. No reason not to.
Hi Devin! My question is do you ever use 4.5x for your micro leaders? Or is 3-4x the lightest you can go?
I will go as light as 5.5x. You just need to make sure that the material is at least 1-2 sizes larger than your tippet or the sighter side of the tippet ring connection is likely to break before the tippet.
Super! How far can you effectively get out?
With which leader Douglas?
Devin, what’s a good leader formula for a dry dropper/ floating sighter that won’t spook fish in low clear water. I have been using the one you had a few years ago with 12” of clear mono 8lb. Before tippet ring
Substitute white cortland indicator mono for that leader and it will work fine and still be visible.
@@tacticalflyfisher3817 thanks Devin, that’s what I thought
Thanks again for a great video Devin. What rod do you use for your dry fly fishing? Are you using the same euro rod or changing?
See LP’s comment.
Hi Devin, question about the dry fly leader: you finish it with 4lbs chameleon but 5x and even 6x tippet usually have a higher resistance (chameleon is terrible is size to resistance ratio as I'm sure you know), isn't that an issue? Is Maxima's 4lbs a real resistance higher than the usual 5lbs tippet? Or the know tippet to fly would break before the 4lbs chameleon? Thanks
The tippet is variable. I fish 7x most of the time with the leader and 6x with larger dries. I’ve never had the chameleon break as long as you tie a micro perfection loop instead of a tippet knot.
@@tacticalflyfisher3817 thanks for the quick reply! When you say tippet knot you mean a clinch on a tippet ring for example right? If I can take the opportunity for another question, you mention larger flies, something as big a size 8 stimulator or a terrestrial for example, or for those you would scale up the whole leader? Thanks again
@@fabmason I don't use clinch knots for anything under about 1x (see my 16/20 knot video). What I'm saying is use a micro perfection loop at the end of the chameleon instead of a tippet ring. Then tie the tippet to the perfection loop with a double davy or 16/20 knot. For a large stimulator, I would just experiment with the tippet length and diameter. You'd need to change leaders though if you fish foam flies because they have a lot more weight.
Is there a way to combine the dry fly leader with floating the sighter capabilities?
They are very separate uses. You would need to do a lot of rerigging each time you make the switch.
@Tactical Fly Fisher wishful thinking. 👍 how often do you throw nymphs on the dry fly leader?
Do you use the same rod and fly line with all of these leader combinations?
I don't. You can read about the specifics of the rods and lines I tend to use in this blog post. www.tacticalflyfisher.com/blog/world-fly-fishing-championships-2022-in-asturias-spain-session-three-on-the-trubia-river/
For a beginner in fly fishing with some experience in spinning, would you suggest to go straight to Euro Nymphing with a 10' rod #3 weight set up or should start with a "regular" fly fishing setup?
I've just started the book and I love it so far.
There’s no reason not to do both eventually. Being well rounded in fly fishing is good for adapting to all situations. I would probably start someone euro nymphing without hesitation but not start with the leaders I show in this video. I would begin with the thicker tapered leaders I describe in my book and in Modern Nymphing.
@@tacticalflyfisher3817 Thank you for your kind reply! Since I want to limit my expenses in the beginning, I’ll start with a 10’ #3 rod with the leaders described in the book.
What’s the purpose of the maxima chameleon in your leaders?
It’s a stiff butt section material that transfers energy well in thinner diameters.
Can you use loons bio strike on the micro leader instead of the skafers?
It is a lot harder to apply and get off the leader than skafars. It also is hard to add in a thin layer that won't add extra weight. Skafars is preferable in my eyes.
Makes sense! Thank you for getting back to me so fast. Keep up the great work. 👍
Just order some from you 👍
Where did you get those glasses?
They are Smith Lowlight Igniter lenses
Hey Devin. Great video. I like to read the comments to make sure I’m not repeating questions but there are a ton here so I apologize if I repeat a question. If you are using a store bought delicate leader and wanted to add a dry dropper to it would you use a triple surgeons not to add this on in a length for the depth you want to fish two feet grime the terminal end of the store bought leader?? Thx!
And I am referring to the dry fly leader. Thx
Chris, if you are just adding tippet then a triple surgeon's or blood knot would both work. If you are making a dropper tag with the store bought leader and adding tippet for the nymph, then the triple surgeon's is what I would use as blood knots fail if you try and make dropper tags from them.
@@tacticalflyfisher3817 awesome. Thanks so much for answering this question as well as my others on other videos. Your great videos and customer service has earned my business on your site. Much appreciated!
@@tacticalflyfisher3817 hello again. Just noticed on some regulations for this river I’m fishing this weekend and it says I can only use 18’ of total mono. So would I just take the your micro leader formula and adjust it proportionally to the 18 feet? Or do you recommend some other formula. Thx
@@chriscrumbley9219 yes. Just cut some tippet or the indicator portion of the leader to get a legal length.
So are you still using a micro thin leader for dry/dropper? If so are you tying the dry off the top tag or the tippet ring? Do you change from fluoro to mono for the dry? Thanks man! Great video as always.
Matt, I talk about using the dropper tag for the dry fly in the video. I don't change tippet.
This is a wonderful video. However, if you thought that it would stop the avalanche of questions, you might wish to reconsider. For example, could you explain why you need a sighter and a waxed portion of your tippet. If you're using the latter for strike detection, isn't the former superfluous?
The sighter portion is needed to see how to unravel it if it wraps around the rod. Clear tippet is impossible to see when it wraps around the rod. Tippet also tends to curl when it's stripped through the guides repeatedly. Some brands of sighter material avoid this (Sempe for example) in the sizes I use it in. The sighter is also dramatically less expensive than the same length of fluorocarbon tippet and rebuilding at the junction will save a lot of money compared to re-rigging the whole thing.
@@tacticalflyfisher3817 Great answer. Thank you. I have another question, if you don't mind. I understand that the use of neon wax is somewhat controversial in the comp world (because it alters the diameter of the leader, albeit in a minute way). Were wax to be banned, how would you alter your leader (especially your tippet)?
@@alexargyros7186 I’ll worry about it if it happens but not until then.
What size tippet do you use for streamers on this leader?
5x
This may be a silly question, but how do you keep the NEON Wax from getting all over you ? I use it as well, and inevitably, it goes from my thumb to my gear, ie clothing, sometimes the cork etc. I usually carry a small rag for it but let me know if you have any tricks to help out ! Thanks D!
I have a small dry fly towel that I keep in the same pocket as the wax to wipe it off when I want to reapply it. I also use it to wipe it off my thumb as soon as I apply it. If the wax is warm it tends to spread more as well so I will put it underwater to chill it before applying if necessary.
Do fish really love light metallic pink beads or am I just having awesome luck the last 3 days
They really do love them at times.
What kind of indicator mono do you use fir micro.
I normally use the Sempe indicator mono we sell in our shop. We also have other brighter indicator nylon from Cortland, Rio, Umpqua, and Fulling Mill that are good as well.
Ok thank you
One more question i got 0.145 orange sempe,will that work,
Also what size flys or nymphs to use?
@@williamthomas9079 it will work fine as long as you are using 6.5x or smaller tippet.
what is a micro perfection loop? just a very small perfection loop?
Yep. Just tie the perfection loop as small as you can. With a little practice, you can make it very small.
I watch this so often that it is on my bookmark bar. Great info Devin!
Thanks Matt. I'm glad it has helped.
Where do I get neon wax? Ron
www.tacticalflyfisher.com/skafars-neon-wax-for-brighter-sighters/
I am new to fly fishing (well, I did some fly fishing for bluegill and perch as a boy 50+ years ago, but I don't think that counts for much!), and very new to Euro-nymphing. Your videos and book are super helpful. I like to wade up stream a fair amount so only carry one rod most of the time. I am fishing modest sized rivers and streams in water with mostly modest size fish (did catch an 18" rainbow the other day!) So switching out leaders needs to be easy. So I left the loop to loop. So to keep that connection from being a problem, I just use a 25 ft leader of 15# Maxima and 3 feet of tri-color sighter to the tippet ring, and about 5 feet of tippet (depending). The fly line simply stays on the reel as I can only cast but so far. Is that sensible? Or am I over looking something and there is a much better way (but still easy to swap leaders at will)? Thanks much again for all your instruction and help. Oh, bought some sighter wax from you the other day, might just do away with the sighter.
That's a good plan if you're going to stick with one rod. You could also switch spools/reels or use a short Euro nymph line like the SA Euro nymph kit. But if what you are using is working then stick with it.
@@tacticalflyfisher3817 Thank you!
To be clear: You're not using a Euro Rod for your streamer rod, right?
On the euro leader I am. If I use the shorter leader with a longer cast then I’m using a 5 or 6 weight.
But what leaders are you using?
Haha! Exactly 😊
Are you using a “competition” fly line and just changing your leader on the stream as the situation changes? Thanks for all the great info! Love your content and materials from your store!
Competition fly line for the micro leader. Standard WF 3 or 4 weight line on a dedicated dry fly rod for the dry fly leader.
Devin...you’re tired of being asked about leaders aren’t you? Hahahaha. Listen to the words that are falling out my mouth!
Maybe I get a little worn out repeating myself. Hence the video. :)
@@tacticalflyfisher3817 I feel you man. However...to end on a positive...it is an excellent video with useful graphics. Thanks!
@@ericdowns2668 glad you liked it. Thanks for watching.
Totally my opinion... but there needs to be more TOTAL beginner euro nymphing content.
It is these kinds of instructional videos that totally ruined my introduction to "euro nymphing". It made me think I had to make the exact same leader, or that I had to have the exact same type of euro nymphs, or the exact kind of rod/reel/line, etc, etc.
The absolute best way to ruin a new passion is to overcomplicate everything right out of the gate. I wish someone would have just told me to go out and experiment. First, take off the indicator and see what happens. Then try heavier nymphs and a longer leader. Most importantly, keep your floating line inside the guides.
Forget the new rod/reel/line and just use your 9-footer setup at first. Have fun, see what works, and get a "feel" for it. Worry about all the technical stuff later.
As someone who's been getting into euro fishing this summer to get ready for my first year of winter fly fishing, i've been using the rio euro shorty attached to the end of my standard WF line, with a short leader butt section (~4ft), about 2ft of indicator line, and then my tippet ring and tippet below. It's been successful, but I don't think it's quite as successful as the micro mono leader, but i'm also not competing and it's super quick and easy to change up my system to dry fly fishing as I only bring one rod with me.
Check out George Daniels intro leader here, it's what I started with
th-cam.com/video/SWjCPVA6fmY/w-d-xo.htmlsi=JZCIgRAVzXGlhWkE&t=948
@@ph1shstyx , thanks boss! Yeah I've heard people have been happy with the shorty, it makes sense for a beginner and I wish I had used it when I got started.
I've been doing it a while now so I have a much better understanding of everything. Now I make all my own leaders, ususlly keeping one available for heavy nymphing and streamers and another for the rest. I like keeping everything on a mono mainline, but I have experimented with an extension to my WF floating line too. I just think it's easier to switch a spool.
I still haven't seen the purpose of buying a euro line or euro reel. Euro Rod, I definitely understand. I get the full-cage concept to protect the line, but I think most half-cage reels these days are adequate, and large arbor seems to be the standard for everything anyways.
In the end though, there is no rules. Whatever you like and whatever works is my motto.
He puts a metal tippet ring on a dry fly leader or recommends a perfection loop as an option? OK???? saw enough of this.
Suit yourself 😊