Leader Formulas
We thought we would share some of our favorite leader formulas. The first set includes some of Paul Brown’s formulas. It also includes a number of our modified formulas based on Paul’s designs. The second set includes our “Progressive” leader formulas. We have been working on these Progressive formulas for over 10 years. The concept centers around each section being progressively shorter than the last. The .017 formulas we use with our old English Masterlines which are thinner in diameter and 3 weight modern lines.
The .019 are for modern 4 and 5 weight lines. We are still testing the .019 progressive formulas. It may seem old that some sections are in half or quarter inch increments, but to us, cutting a section at 6 inches or 6.5 inches is arbitrary when building a leader.
When building leaders, we prefer to add a perfection loop to the butt and at the 1x sections. This way leaders can be easily changed, and the butt sections will last for years. We also will add an inch to each section as the blood knot will typically take about an inch to tie. We currently use Rio Powerflex for trout leaders.
We also have been experimenting with cutting up knotless leaders and will post some of those designs later in the year.
.017 Progressive Leader Formulas
.019 Progressive Leader Formulas