Tapered Leader Length?

[Surf-N-Turf]

Is there a 'rule of thumb' on how long a tapered mono leader should be? 8'6" 5 wt rod, WF floating line and the tapered leader is 109" or 9' long. Just seems a little too long for me?
Thanks, Gregory

[Eric]

It seems like most that I've seen are 9 feet and in some cases longer. I believe Orvis has both 12 and 9. I saw a website with some furled leaders that were over 8 feet long and the site mentioned that you could create 12 to 20 foot leaders with them. I can't imagine a leader that long. Personally 9 feet of leader or even a little less at times feels fine. Logically, it seems to make sense to have it as long as you possibly can while still maintaing an accurate presentation. But, I'm still new to alot of this so who knows.

[Dave Bausano]

9' or about the length of your rod would be a good standard to go by in trout fishing (although that depends on what kind of flies your thowing - nymphs, dries, streamers), but if you're fishing for bluegill in my experience you don't need quite as long of a leader. The longer the better for trout, especially when you are casting small delicate flies to spooky fish. Luckily bluegill do not require this, and sometimes it seems the harder and more "unnatural" a fly hits the water, the better they respond.

I usually use a 6' leader tapered to 3X when bluegill fishing. Sometimes I will add some tippet to make it a little longer. Shorter leaders are easier to cast, and that is helpful as some flies and poppers used for bluegill tend to be larger than what is used for trout.

I know Orvis sells both 6' and 7'6" leaders, and I'm sure others do as well.

Dave

[CHARLES A. VINSON, JR.]

I use Blue Sky furled leaders, the five foot nine inch length ( 5' 9") and add tippet according to water level and clarity. I usually fish rivers.

[Net Cawad]

Just want to share this book called furled leaders, it shows all the secrets behind creating furled leaders, I also have had luck following and reading the directions in this book! it really amaze me!

[Gillbuster]

 I don't have much experience with furled leaders. Are you a big advocate of them... I have heard a lot of pros and cons... like to hear your take on them..thanks

[gerald wilt]

You should always keep in mind that when considering leader length you need to

add in the tippet length as well.Remember there is the leader(the expensive part)and

then to that you add the tippet(which allows you to use up as you change flies).

[dick tabbert]

I joined because I want to learn to fish with the fly rod this year. If anybody can tell me what I need to fish for gills I can start my want list. Down the road I know I will have many questions.