Hi all,
I have a fly rod about 8 foot long a fly reel with white thick line on it, how long should the nylon be that leads to the hook from the white line?

Cheers

Alan

Hi Alan,
element of personal preference here. I would say between 7ft and 9ft if fishing wet flies. I sometimes go to 12ft, even on my 7.5ft rod, if fishing dries over deeper water where the trouts window is bigger.

My standard length on my 9ft, 8.25ft and 7.5ft rods is 9ft.

cheers

Thanks, I think I am after Mullet and thought I would leave enough of the white line beyond the top eye and enough nylon so the knot would'nt have to go through the eye but the nylon short enough to net the fish if it works :confused: did that make sense?

Alan

Alan, the way you intend to fish, you do not need as long a leader as you would, if you were fly fishing.
I would suggest 6ft will be ample.

Hi Alan, What type of fly line are you using? For a moment I thought you were describing backing.

Jeff

Sounds sound to me Alan

Not too sure what is going on here, the white line is (I think) backing, it floats so does the nylon but the bloody fly sinks

It was blowing a hooligan in the morning and the Mullet were staying deep, as in just out of view. the week before it was dead still and the Mullet were having a great feast on the surface and along side boats (hence the green fly), they were sucking on the sea weed.

Don't let me waste your time on this, I will give it some serious reasearch as in what is a leader, why can I only get 6 foot on a cast with my rod etc etc etc.

I am sure of one thing though and that is that I am sure of nothing

Thanks all

Alan

Alan, The 'leader' should start with a heavy (12Lb+) nylon comming from the end of the 'floating' line which may (if the reel is larger) be attached to some 'backing' (often bright colour) line that looks like mega thick braid.
My 'Mulleting' rod is 8Ft6 with a 9ft leader going from 3lb to 10lb in 3ft lengths, this is attached to about 1ft of 18Lb which is 'nail knotted' into the end of the flyline (you can buy joiner things instead). The 18Lb line has an open loop so I can change the 'leader' trace quickly.
To make 'flys' float you can buy 'gunk' stuff that keeps the water out - the fly must not be to heavy though!
PS a maggot instead of the fly - or even some chicken! on the end will give some good sport!!
PS arn't you over soon for your bass trip?

I know its stating the obvious a bit Alan but if 'the white stuff' is actually backing then probably you dont have a fly line at all and if you dont have a fly line you'll find it a little difficult (nigh on impossible) to cast your fly. If 'the white stuff' is a fly line, then a leader and fly is all that you require. If you are something of a fly newbie then I wouldnt exceed the length of rod with your leader, but keep it as long as possible. Also take a look at
http://www.hartflyfishing.demon.co.uk/mullet_fishing.html - 15k

It should help.

Toggle, my Bass trip starts in the middle of next month :cool:

Argyll, thanks for the link, it made a good read.
The white stuff is fly line, Norrie looked at and said it was good quality with no memory. The leader is shorter than the rod, there is about 8 inches of floating line hanging outside the top ring.
Its the rod that is the problem, I used one of Norrie's mates rods up at Swanswater and my Ghillie was quite impressed even though I blanked
I will get a decent fly rod and reel one day, not for a while yet as the new boat just about wiped me out

Thanks for your input lads, it will not be wasted.

Cheers.

Alan ;)ps I have entered Leons raffle for what sounds like a very exclusive rod, you can't win if you aint in

[ 15. July 2004, 02:17 PM: Message edited by: Alan Taylor ]

Alan, Sorry mate, But just read this thread, when I come down to Lymington, I will bring some fly stuff for you, Leaders,braided loops,backing line etc, etc..so, dont go spending a fortune ok..and give you the benefit of my wisdom..(not that it is worth much),I will also bring my travel rod, and we can have a cast or two once we get settled....looking forward to it ...

[ 23. July 2004, 11:53 PM: Message edited by: Norrie ]

As a wee post script to this thread,Alan asked me to get him a travel rod from Tackle Direct, via AN, he wanted a Fladden Vantage,three piece,9ft 6in No 7 weight, did the biz, and it arrived a few days ago,now, I havent used it yet, but first impression is, a great piece of kit,well made and should do the job very nicely.It was also VERY well packaged, some of the "Bigger" companies should take a leaf out of TD's book, and learn a thing or two.....so Elton, A great company, that I will deal with myself...and you will get a report from Alan, when he gets his first fish on it...
Norrie 66

Just seen this, sorry Norrie

Thanks for all your efforts, from what you told me about I can't wait for Lymington

It sounds like just the job for a travelling rod, on the down side there is vat on the postage which brought the price up a bit. What the heck

Alan

Cool. I take it you mean Tackle Bargains

http://www.tacklebargains.co.uk/cgi-bin/at...at.cgi?a=232715

They do, honestly, have some good stuff there

I just got some braid from them.

Thats Who he means Elton. I wanted a travel fly rod and as you they are advertising with you thought they must be ok, anyway I took a look and taking into consideration advice given on AN decided on the one that Norrie got for me.
Tackle bargains gave good descriptions on all of there tackle including not for the novice or ideal for the beginer etc. Currency converter was also a help.
I also notice that if you are a member of a club there are some great bargains, things like 12 filleting knifes that equal out to a couple of quid each + p&p + vat on the postage.

You have known me for a few years so know that I call a spade a spade, so no bull from me when money is involved.

Feel free to pass my comments on.

Nice one mate.

Alan