[scoobydue4]

Hi guys, I was wondering in what situations would you go from a 9' leader to a 7 1/2' leader? I figure I will use a longer leader for trout to get more distance between the fly line and the fly, but would there be a situation where I might want to use a shorter leader? And would the tippet be shorter on a shorter leader, or is the length shortened on the butt section? Or both?
Thanks guys,
Brian.

[FISHN50]

when nymphing it sometimes pays to use a shorter leader / tippet connection as this will give you better line control & enable you to watch for hits, especially if you have a floating line. For dry fly work you can end up with a tippet leader connection of up to 12 ' & that's way too long for nymphing...

[MTskibum]

I sometimes even go down to 5-6' when streamer fishing

[Joe D]

Use as long a leader as you have to, and as short as you can get away with.

Streamer fishing with a sink tip often sees no more than three or four feet of leader.

[fyshstykr]

Windy conditions when fishing dries, I will often times shorten whatever overall length leader I'm using, normally leave my tippet the usual length.

[Joni]

7 1/2' for me...all the time, except when stillwater deep nymphing. You can always add more tippet and it won't effect the casting that much. I am talking maybe 3' on a 7 1/2' tippet, but I use like a 4X leader and 5X tippet.
I have used 12' on gin clear waters, but that is a trick for sure.
I just make it easy on myself and buy 7 1/2' in 4X 5X and that covers about everything I do. But I do use 6 lb. fluoro on my deep nymphing in sometimes 30'.

[scoobydue4]

I'll start off using 7 1/2' leaders then. Thanks everybody!

[FlyDog]

Will shortning the butt end of a 9' leader affect the action? Also what length would be a good starting point for small creeks that require fairly short casts with size 14-18 flies?
Thanks

[Davo]

9' for dry flies and nymphs. 7 1/2' for streamers. X factor depends on water conditions and the fish. Generally 4x-7x for dries and nymphs. 0x-3x for streamers. Only time I've ever used 8x was fishing trico hatches on Tulpahocken creek in Reading PA. Hardest flies I've ever had to tie on!!!! That was 15yrs ago and I would not want to try it now with out a magnifying glass!!! LOL.

[Davo]

FlyDog

Never shorten the butt. If you get to light in the butt section the leader will not turn over properly. If you have to go shot for small water start with a 7 1/2 cut back the tippet end.