MAXIMA/RIO LEADER TIE FORMULAS (PART 1)
© Table Rock Angler 2009 – “Bo” Cash
The following leader formulas have proven to turn over, out cast, and outlast any tapered leaders I’ve ever used. They were developed while experimenting with different length/diameter sections over a period of 38 years. The formulas may be varied slightly without loss of performance. On smaller streams, the shorter leaders tied with Maxima leader material are the most accurate for getting under overhanging limbs and rock structures. On long, flat pools and tailwaters, I use the longer formulas. The Maxima sections help to turn over the longer leaders well. I have changed to Rio for all the tippet sections. Rio has the breaking and knot strength, suppleness, and low visibility that I desire.
Unlike many leader formulas that have such short middle sections, tippets can be replaced several times on these leaders without having to replace the sections immediately next to the tippet. Some substitutions can be made. Damaged sections can be easily replaced without having to discard the whole leader. Try not to vary the sections more than .003” difference between leader sections to get proper turnover. If your leader is to be attached to a 7 weight line or larger, consider using a short 30 pound section of Maxima between the line and the 25 pound section. If your leader is to be tied to a 2 weight or less, you may want to start out with a longer 20 pound butt section instead of using 25 pound.
*Maxima leader material given in POUND TEST and unlabeled below. Rio tippet is labeled with name and “X” rating.
Tie your own leaders for performance and economy. You can tie a better leader, cheaper. Let’s go fishing !
1. 7’ – 4 X
14” 25 #
14” 20
14” 15
12” 10
12” 6
18” 4x Rio
2. 7 1/2’ – 6 X
14” 25 #
14” 20
14” 15
10” 10
10” 6
10” 4x Rio
18” 6x Rio
3. 7 1/2’ 5 X
14” 25 #
14” 20
14” 15
10” 10
10” 6
10” 4x Rio
18” 5x Rio
4. 6’ 1 X
14” 25 #
14” 20
14” 15
10” 10
10” 8
10” 6
5. 8 1/2’ – 5/6 X
14” 25 #
14” 20
14” 15
10” 10
10” 8
10” 6
12” 4x Rio
18” 5/6x Rio
6. 8 1/2’ – 4 X
16” 25 #
16” 20
16” 15
12” 10
12” 8
12” 6
18” 4x Rio
7. 9’ – 4 X
18” 25 #
18” 20
18” 15
12” 10
12” 8
12” 6
18” 4x Rio
add 5x Rio dropper tippet to dry fly
8. 9’ – 5/6 X
14” 25 #
14” 20
14” 15
12” 10
12” 8
12” 6
12” 4x Rio
18” 5/6x Rio
…………….hand tied leader formulas, PART 2:
9. 10’ – 5/6X
18” 25 #
16” 20
16” 15
14” 10
12” 8
12” 6
12” 4x Rio
20” 5/6x Rio
10.11 1/2’ – 5/6 X
20” 25 #
19” 20
19” 15
16” 10
14” 8
14” 6
14” 4x Rio
22” 5/6x Rio
11. 12’ – 6/7 X
18” 25 #
18” 20
18” 15
16” 10
14” 8
14” 6
12” 4x Rio
12” 5x Rio
22” 6/7x Rio
12. 13’ – 6/7 X
22” 25 #
20” 20
20” 15
16” 10
14” 8
14” 6
14” 4x Rio
14” 5x Rio
22” 6/7x Rio
13. 15’ – 5/6 X
20” 25 #
20” 20
20” 15
16” 10
16” 8
20” 6
20” 4x Rio
48” 5/6x Rio
14. 3’ – HEAVY FLY
9” 30 #
9” 25
9” 20
9” 15
# 4 = Streamer leader for # 10 – 4 size streamers
# 6 & # 7 = My favorite small stream leaders.
# 7 = Small steam leader for use with droppers tied to dry fly.
# 12 = My favorite tailwater leader for small flies over clear, still water.
# 13 = A leader designed for fishing dry flies “across and down” to drag
conscious fish in tailwater rivers.
# 14 = A special leader for # 6, 7, and 8 weights for jerking big, heavy
streamers on sink tip lines.
Upper Creek Angler 
what maxima material are you using for your leaders? I’m assuming chameleon would be too stiff for the leaders to turn over well?
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I’ve found that I have to stretch my leaders made with Maxima out for a long time right after I make them to keep them from coiling Up. However once this is done they don’t coil any worse than any other leaders I’ve ever used after going on to the reel. I’ve also found that a leather stretching tool doesn’t work very well.
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Hello! Thanks for posting these. Do you use Maxima Chameleon OR Maxima Ultragreen for your leaders OR a combo of the 2 materials? Thanks! Kevin
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how many inches per sections, any tips.
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Maxima Chameleon!! The stiffness of this leader offering makes that great transition between the fly line and the tippet material. It makes the fly placement more accurate.
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Thanks for these formulae Bo! Just starting out tying my own leaders and my searches brought me here. I’ve tied three 5x leaders (two 7.5′ and one 9′) using Chameleon for the 25lb and 20lb pieces then switching to Ultragreen/Rio for the rest. What do you think? How much Chameleon do you use?
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