Jim Craig

In my humble opinion, fly fishing is an art, not a science.  So, when you ask Kenny a question, you often get the answer we all love, “It depends.”  For that reason, and another I can explain when we get together, I suggest you don’t have to be super exact with this formula.  But, let’s say it is a science and examine the basis of your frustration from that point of view.

Just to recap, here is Devin Olsen’s leader formula we got from Jason Randall.  Using Maxima Chameleon, tie the following segments together using blood knots.
1.     28″ of 20 lbs.
2.     24″ of 15 lbs.
3.     20″ of 10 lbs.
4.     16″ of 8 lbs.
5.     12″ of 5 lbs.
6.     12″ of 4 lbs.
Then tippet ring to tippet.

This is a total length of 112”.  Then, as you say, what if you are off 1” in each segment?  And from that you surmise that would be 5”- 6” for the entire leader.  Two things:
1.     First, at most you will only be off 4”.   That is because after tying segment 1 to segment 2, you can trim segment 1 from the end opposite of the knot end to the exact length you desire.  Same for tying segment 5 to segment 6.  You can trim section 6 to the exact length you want.  That leaves only four segments in play.  So, if you are off by 4”out of a total of 112”, that is only 3.6%.  Seriously, that is pretty close.
2.     Second, I found I could significantly increase the accuracy of each segment by doing the following.  Start by cutting ample lengths for sections 1 and 2, say 38” and 34”, respectively.  You won’t need this much excess as you get the hang of it.  Tie section 1 and 2 with a blood knot.   Then trim the fly line end of section 1 leaving enough tag to tie a nail knot to the fly line or a perfection loop to attach to the welded loop of the fly line.  Now, measure 24” from the blood knot you just tied and use a sharpie to mark on section 2 the target location of the next blood knot.  Cut a 30” section of line for section 3.  Begin tying this blood knot by crossing the lines of segments 2 and 3 and pinching the two lines together with the sharpie mark on section 2 between your pinched fingers.  Tie the blood knot; concentrate on seating the knot on your sharpie mark.  You will get the hang of it.  That is the end of section 2.  Now repeat.  Cut a 26” piece for section 4.  Measure 20” from your last knot for section 3 and use a sharpie to mark the location for the knot location at the end of section 3.   Cross the lines of segments 3 and 4 and begin tying the blood knot by pinching the two lines together with the sharpie mark on section 3 between your pinched fingers.  Tie the blood knot; concentrate on seating the knot on your sharpie mark.   Keep going.  Only two more knots to tie.

Hope that makes sense and helps.

JRC

Bob, sounds like you have enough stuff to have your own swap.  I am looking forward to helping you out!

JRC

I like where this is going. I am a strong believer in balanced living, and I’ll be the first to say my spiritual side could use some work.  I am in.

Hey Rick,

I am not sure what might be closer, but you would be a 90 minute drive to the Big Horn river.  Iv’e have great service from Bighornangler.com .  There’s some wade fishing, but if you are going that far to fish the Big Horn, a guided boat is the way to go.  Here’s another thought, you can rent a boat (it’s a very easy river to row yourself) then use it as a taxi to take you down the river, pulling over to fish where ever you want.  However, nothing beat having a guide put you on fish with the right fly.

Good luck!

JRC

Wow.  Mike, that is deep. Are you trying to upset a 100+ years of traditional, classic fly fishing?

I guess that is ok.

Thanks for the update.  I wish I were in Montana……