John Merwin On Leader and Tippet Basics

May 21, 2009 By: Marshall Cutchin

“The leader-butt diameter should be two-thirds of the diameter of the end of your fly line for best performance. The 5-weight fly line you may use for fishing small dry flies has a tip diameter of about .030 inch. The 9-foot, 6X leader you attach to it should then have a butt diameter of about .020 inch.” MidCurrent editorial board member John Merwin writes for Field & Stream on how to make the basics choices for leaders and tippets.