Best leader set up for a 9 ft fly rod, 4 wt WF and size 14 flies

Question

This is for small streams

Answer 1

A tapered leader of around nine feet should work just fine, add a fluorocarbon tippet to avoid spooking the trout, fish a single fly until you are used to casting from a river, such as the roll cast and the steeple cast, if you get a little more confident you may want to use the new zealand set up, this means attaching another fly with a length of tippet to your hook shank, to do this attach a dry fly to the tapered leader, then take about 1-2 feet of fluorocarbon tippet, i like rio and airflo g3 tippet and attach a nymph, the dry will still catch you fish but it will also act as an indicator for your nymph.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templa...

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templa...

Tippet

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templa...

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templa...

If youre fishing dry flies only do not use a fluorocarbon leader as it will pull your flies under the surface, use some gink on your dry flies, use co-polymer asa leader/tippet for dries, 99% of tapered knotless leaders are co-polymer any way.

Answer 2

9ft leader tapered to 5x tippet.

Available in all fly shops.

My personal preference is Maxima, but Scientific Anglers,

Cortland, Rio and Orvis are all good.

Answer 3

Tackle is always selected for the fishing conditions.

You state "small streams," but the definition of *small stream* is quite subjective among anglers.

In the absence of deep holding water, slow currents, and fussy trout, I believe you'll find a longer leader will be pointless and annoying.  A 6' leader (preferably furled or braided) with a 2' tippet (about 5x) will get it done.  With a 9' rod on a small stream, you won't have enough line out to practically control a longer leader.

Keep it simple.  Part of the satisfaction of angling comes with making your own discoveries.

Answer 4

I would just make-up something with best quality nylon leader as light and invisible as possible for the waters you are fishing in. I use Orvis or Leeda stuff myself.