A Basic Euro Nymphing Leader
Taking the standard fly line out of the equation is the first order of business for contact nymphing tactics, line sag equals drag, and drag is death to a dead drift.
The leader is a huge part of the Euro setup and getting it right is key, The Reel Fly Fishing leaders and leader formula’s are modelled off competition tried true and tested leaders.
The Basic characteristics of a good euro leader are;
A long small diameter and low mass butt section that reduces drift killing sag when held off the water.
A stiff butt section that will turn over a range of nymph weights despite the small diameter.
A sighter made from bright materials to provide visual cues for strike detection and drift awareness.
A taper that transfers enough energy to allow for tuck casting, but will also allow for a delicate presentation.
Basic Euro Leader Formula and Construction.
I recommend that beginner Euro Nymphers use a slightly shorter in length and thicker/ higher mass euro leader to aid the learning and casting process.
My formula modelled off Tactical Fly Fisher’s (Devin Olsen, Team USA) is
A Butt section of 20 pound (0.360mm) High Vis nylon length of 12 to 15 Feet (4.5m) use the knot of your choice (double uni knot, surgeons etc) to attach the next section of 12 pound (0.300mm) High Vis nylon length of approximately 4 Feet (1-1.5m).
The Next section is the sighter, using the knot of your choice to attach 2 foot (50-60cm) of sighter material (Hanak Competition Tri Colour 0.250mm some will sell this as 2X sighter).
The use of a tippet ring in my opinion is the best option as it allows for the ease of changing tippet quickly and you can add any diameter or polymer type (nylon or fluorocarbon). Using the knot of your choice add a tippet ring (Hanak micro 2mm).
Tippet, there is no set length for tippet, same applies with tippet diameter (1X to 7X), as a guide use a tippet length which is about two (2) times the average water depth you are fishing this a reasonable starting point. Use a diameter tippet that will allow for a good sink rate for your choice of fly (see Euro Nymphing Flies), 4X or 5X would be a good place to start using a 3mm Tungsten bead headed fly.
As a guide in the Blue Mountains, I use 5X or 6X Hanak fluorocarbon tippet of about 4 to 6 feet in length with 2.5 & 3mm tungsten bead headed flies.