kglissmeyer1
Well-known member
As promised, here is my step-by-step instructions for rolling your own twisted mono leaders. There is a bit of a learning curve, but not too much. The biggest problem that occurs is that of the two terminal ends of the mono you are twisting together winding back up on themselves. If you don't stop in the twisting process and un-twist these two ends you will end up with quite a mess similar to a backlash or birds nest when casting on a very windy day! 
Give this a try and let others know what you think. I've been making and fishing these for about 7 years now and would not go back to any other type of leaders.
For the sake of being able to see the line in the photos better I used a dark mono. For my own use I prefer Maxima Chameleon.
Twisted Leaders - Step-By-Step:
Step 1 - After doubling 24' of 2x Maxima and stretching by looping around doorknob or some such, hold as shown in left hand if right-handed:
Step 2 - Begin spinning looped mono clockwise with index and thumb of right hand. Make sure long tag ends are seperated and spin slowly allowing twists to run out of tag ends. Be patient and go slowly.
What previous step should look like as you go...
Results of 1st furl - You've spun/twisted together 24' of 2x mono by using steps 1 and 2 to achieve an approx. 12' twisted piece. On the left is your looped end (beginning)and on the right are your two tag ends
Step 3 - Tie an overhand knot in the two tag ends
Step 4 - This is what your first twist should look like with a loop in one end and two tags which you have tied together with an overhand knot. You now have 24 feet of mono twisted together to approx. 12' with a loop at one end and the knotted together ends of mono at the other. Measure 48-inches from the loop end and bring the knotted end to that point.
Step 5 - After folding the knotted ends towards the looped end 4-ft down from this loop, begin spinning at the newly formed loop (just like you did with the original single piece of mono) until you reach the knotted tags. Tie a double surgeon's knot and trim the knotted tags. The photo shows the doubled and twisted mono forming the finished fly line connection loop.
This photo shows the butt-end loop to attach to fly line along with the Surgeon's knot used to finish off the final furl described in step 5, 4-feet up from original single loop end (left-to-right)
Butt end (attaches to fly line) and terminal loop (attach tippet with loop-to-loop)
This photo shows loop for attaching butt-section to fly line, the Surgeon's knot finishing butt-section to terminal end section, and loop at end of terminal end for attaching tippet.
Step 6 - Since you started with 2x mono for this trout leader, you now attach to the terminal end loop (on left) a 30-inch piece of 2X material (on right) w/a loop-to-loop connection. Tie a Perfection Loop in one end of the 30-inch piece of 2X tippet.
Connected 2X with Perfection Loop in one end to the terminal end of the furled leader with a loop-to-loop. You are now a proud owner of an approx. 10 1/2 foot tapered twisted leader (including 30-inch piece of 2X tippet as described) to which you now attach tippet and go fishing.
I hope my instructions were clearer than mud (at least a little) and that you can achieve the same results. Good luck.
Best Fishes,
Kelly
Give this a try and let others know what you think. I've been making and fishing these for about 7 years now and would not go back to any other type of leaders.
For the sake of being able to see the line in the photos better I used a dark mono. For my own use I prefer Maxima Chameleon.
Twisted Leaders - Step-By-Step:
Step 1 - After doubling 24' of 2x Maxima and stretching by looping around doorknob or some such, hold as shown in left hand if right-handed:
Step 2 - Begin spinning looped mono clockwise with index and thumb of right hand. Make sure long tag ends are seperated and spin slowly allowing twists to run out of tag ends. Be patient and go slowly.
What previous step should look like as you go...
Results of 1st furl - You've spun/twisted together 24' of 2x mono by using steps 1 and 2 to achieve an approx. 12' twisted piece. On the left is your looped end (beginning)and on the right are your two tag ends
Step 3 - Tie an overhand knot in the two tag ends
Step 4 - This is what your first twist should look like with a loop in one end and two tags which you have tied together with an overhand knot. You now have 24 feet of mono twisted together to approx. 12' with a loop at one end and the knotted together ends of mono at the other. Measure 48-inches from the loop end and bring the knotted end to that point.
Step 5 - After folding the knotted ends towards the looped end 4-ft down from this loop, begin spinning at the newly formed loop (just like you did with the original single piece of mono) until you reach the knotted tags. Tie a double surgeon's knot and trim the knotted tags. The photo shows the doubled and twisted mono forming the finished fly line connection loop.
This photo shows the butt-end loop to attach to fly line along with the Surgeon's knot used to finish off the final furl described in step 5, 4-feet up from original single loop end (left-to-right)
Butt end (attaches to fly line) and terminal loop (attach tippet with loop-to-loop)
This photo shows loop for attaching butt-section to fly line, the Surgeon's knot finishing butt-section to terminal end section, and loop at end of terminal end for attaching tippet.
Step 6 - Since you started with 2x mono for this trout leader, you now attach to the terminal end loop (on left) a 30-inch piece of 2X material (on right) w/a loop-to-loop connection. Tie a Perfection Loop in one end of the 30-inch piece of 2X tippet.
Connected 2X with Perfection Loop in one end to the terminal end of the furled leader with a loop-to-loop. You are now a proud owner of an approx. 10 1/2 foot tapered twisted leader (including 30-inch piece of 2X tippet as described) to which you now attach tippet and go fishing.
I hope my instructions were clearer than mud (at least a little) and that you can achieve the same results. Good luck.
Best Fishes,
Kelly
