FlatsLander Guide Service

Step one: Stretch a length of mono----this is a very important step. The end product, butt and mid section of the leader, will be approximately one-third the starting length. A good starting point is to use mono that is the same pound test as your rod weight (8lb for an 8wt etc) Adjustments to length and pound test can be made with experience and as needs change. The butt should be about 75% the diameter of your fly line give or take.

Step two: Fold the mono in half and start twisting at the fold. The loop formed at this point will be the attachment loop for the tippet. (We use a tippet composed of a bimini knot and a perfection loop) Control the twisting by lightly placing the point where the lines come together between your thumb and index finger of your other hand. The two free ends need to be able to spin freely during this process. One way to do this is to run the ends through coffee cup handles. You can also have a friend control the ends as long as they can spin. With practice, you will be able to make leaders without coffee cups or assistance.

Step three: Fold the twisted lines again, but not exactly in half. The loop end leg should be longer than the free ends leg. How much you over lap them is up to you. If you need a longer butt section to turn over heavy flies, fold them closer to half and half. If you need a longer mid section to turn over lighter flies, shorten the free ends leg. Once you have determined the fold you want, start twisting at the fold again. This will develop another loop that will be the loop to attach to the fly line (we use loop to loop connectors on our fly lines ---- if you don’t, consider using them --- or it is possible to tie a nail knot with this end if the lines are not too heavy.)

Step four: Tie a surgeon’s knot to keep the free ends from unwrapping and trim the excess. This will produce a four-strand butt section and a two strand mid section with loops on each end. Total length and length of each section can be adjusted as needed. I make these with two-pound mono for light trout leaders. With light line (2lb, 4lb,and maybe 6lb) the loops sometimes like to close up. If that is the case just let them twist closed and tie a perfection loop in the end to create a useable loop that will not close.

Step five: Add a tippet. A single strand of mono with a perfection loop will work. Consider learning a bimini knot and perfection loop for a stronger, more reliable class tippet.

Long lines represent a 5 Short lines represent a 1. If the short lines are on the reel side of a larger mark they add to the 5. If the short lines are on the fly side of the larger mark they subtract from the 5

The above mark would represent an 8 weight line or 8 lb test mono. Of course you have the option of marking small numbers with either short lines or combinations of long and short: for example a 3wt fly line could be marked in either of the following ways

This is just an example and the system I use. You can make up your own system, however, I believe it is important to have some marking system for lines and leaders so that you do not get confused on what line or leader you are using while out on a fishing trip.