THE RULE OF 11 TO DETERMINE THE
diameter OF THE THE LEADER; USE .011 = 0X
IF THE LEADER IS A .007, DEDUCT THE 7 FROM 11 AND YOU HAVE THE 4x leader
Rule of 11: .011-.007= 4x .011-.005= 6x etc.
Now put that to use with to determine the 'POUND BREAKING SRENGTH OF THE 'X' TIPPET
THE RULE OF 9 TO DETERMINE THE POUND BREAKING STRENGTH OF A 5X TIPPET; DEDUCT THE X FROM 9.
ie. 9-5x= 4 pound test
9-1x= 8 pound test
9-6x= 3 pound test
now what you ask?
THE RULE OF 4 (DIVIDE THE SIZE OF THE HOOK BY 4 TO DETERMINE THE SIZE TIPPET TO USE, ie. WHAT 'X' TO USE)
If you have a fly that resists the wind you may want to use a heavier tippet.
YOU WANT TO MATCH THE LEADER TO THE FLY SO YOU CAN GET A SMOOTH TURN OVER OF THE LINE.
IF YOU HAVE TOO LIGHT A TIPPET IT WILL NOT SEND THE LOOP DOWN THE LINE TO THE FLY AND THE LOOP WILL COLLAPSE.
SO IF YOU HAVE A SIZE 12 FLY USE AT LEAST A SIZE 3X TIPPET TO MAKE A SMOOTH TRANSITION.
RULE OF 4
SIZE 18 FLY---SIZE 4X OR 5X TIPPET
SIZE 12 FLY--3X TIPPET
SIZE 8 FLY- SIZE 2X TIPPET
SIZE 6 FLY- 1x or 2X
YOU GET THE IDEA.
REMEMBER TO USE A KNOT WITH MORE TURNS IN IT IF YOU USE fluorocarbon LINE.
IF YOU ARE IN DARK OR FAST WATER YOU CAN USE A HEAVIER TIPPET THAN SLOW OR CLEAR WATER.
TRY TO MATCH THE LEADER TO THE SIZE OF THE FLY AND YOUR FISHING WILL BE MUCH MORE PLEASURABLE.
THERE IS A 'EASY' FORMULA FOR LEADERS WHICH IS
'60-20-20' AND THAT IS TO SAY USE 60% AS THE BUTT SECTION, 20% AS THE TAPER, AND 20% AS THE TIPPET.
THERE ARE MANY VARIATIONS TO WORK OFF OF THAT, AND YOU CAN USE THAT TO START FROM TO MAKE A GOOD LEADER.
