Types of Leaders

Courses Home Knots Equipment Fly Reels Fly Lines Leaders Fly Rods Insectology Flies Fish Casting Reference library Course map     Course subjects Home Leader classification Leader design Types of leaders Match leader & line Match leader & fly Match leader & rod Selecting leaders Leader troubles Leader materials Knots & leaders Slip ons Permanent butts Leader formulas "Rule of 4" Rules of thumb Hinge test  

There are two types of leader construction:

1.  Knotless Tapered Leaders: these are commercially manufactured leaders that have a continuous taper from the butt to the tippet; they are constructed of monofilament and/or braided materials.  ("Store bought" leaders).

They are available at fishing retail stores and through various catalogs.   Generally, they are packaged and sold one-at-a-time; some are found in sets of 2 to 5 of a single type.

2.  Knotted Leaders:  these are hand-tied leaders that are made by tying 4 to 8 segments together, of gradually descending diameter.   The tippet section is level.  A knot is used to connect each segment to the next, in a receding progression, downward from the butt to the tippet. 

Although these leaders are commercially available, knotted leaders are predominately tied by individual flyfishers for their own needs.

Another style of material used in both types is referred to as "braided"; these leaders are constructed with an open, mesh or braided design that proponents claim is quieter and more "stealthy" than regular mono.

Previous topic  The relationship between the leader and fly line is important for balance as we learn at Matching Leader to fly line: