The Two-Thirds Principle - by Clay Gill

There are times as you fish that you become aware how important knot and leader building skills factor into success of all-important trips where nothing can be left to chance. One loose end, -one bad knot, and you never forget how a whopper made the great escape. They leave you to wonder. It happens all too quickly to most of us eventually. Life can give you the test, then teach you the lesson. It is etched in stone somewhere.

A bad knot or poor choice of tippet material can doom a fishing chance of a lifetime. Fool you once shame on the fish. Fool you twice shame on you. And yes-it happened to me. It took three break offs to signal the need for a change from a store bought tapered leader that was way too light! By invitation to an outstanding private ranch lake in east Texas, I had a chance at some leader busting Bass. After the loss of some great flies and one half of a leader, I finally built a stout 40/30/20 pound homemade leader to cope with the size and ferocity of these ranch lake Bass. The fish were not at all leader shy and the overkill leader construction-and a good loop knot was the only way to cope with smashing hits and runs. These Bass were airborne all across the lake for Dragonflies. It is always amazing.

The stout leader I built with uni-knot joints was made using the two-thirds rule of leader construction. You graduate from larger to smaller line to construct four, three, or even two piece leaders (depending on the need). Each successive piece is generally 2/3 the length and size of the one above. For this application a larger top water fly requires a shorter leader, -about six or seven feet. Sink line also dictates a shorter leader. Being submerged it will not require long taper. The nine-foot store bought tapered leaders does not turn over with big hair bugs. Shorten as needed.

A short stout three step leader with final fluorocarbon tippet end at twenty (using top water bugs), gave us ability to horse large fish out of brush and through hydrilla. A light class or break tippet was unnecessary protection here as Bass will not take you into the backing. Hard pulls are best sideways on the rod with this leader. A high rod may break the tip off. You get more power to the leader with the thick part of the rod.

Basically the “two-thirds principle” applies to both the size graduation as it tapers smaller, and also the length of each successive piece in the string. If necessary build a light break section just before the fluorocarbon tippet for line saving protection in case of reel stripping runs. Go short or long, as needed. Be sure the leader turns over well. Experiment and adapt. Eventually you will even make a fluoro-stealthy homemade leader.

One drawback to homemade is grass, moss and slime. Knots catch on this stuff. We just sling it off and go on. Have some smooth tapered store bought leaders to remedy this. Shorten the light end as needed to make break strength greater or for big flies. Moss on knots can be a scare for leader shy fish.

Anywhere the fish are not leader shy and even when they are, this allows you the ability to quickly build custom leaders you can depend on and even add wire with an Albright knot as needed. Store bought tapered leaders are great in the Trout stream. It is real nice to take it out of its four-dollar package and loop it on but this type of leader cost me some good fish before I build a monster tamer they could not break. Be prepared to adapt. Highly specialized leaders like those for Tarpon or offshore use, Barracuda-or even line shy fish, require a working knowledge of complex assembly and construction materials to be successful. With practice, anyone can master the basics for most every situation. You will develop the ability to construct leader size and proportion for each need. They are cheap. Throw out the bad and remember the good ones.

Mono line spools, wire, and fluorocarbon in your gear bag can be as necessary as your fly line, rod and reel. Running the gamut from wispy Perch leaders to Tarpon Busters with multiple Bimini’s, the ability to custom build a leader will give you an edge. Carry store bought tapers without knots for line shy fish. But don’t be lazy. Change when necessary to adapt to changing dynamics of various situations. Pre-tie leaders as anticipated needs arise.

Get a knot book if you need skill improvement and employ the good ole “two-thirds principle“. Buy a line clipper to save your teeth, and get some light, medium, and heavy fluorocarbon. See how it goes as you fish these leaders. Repeat the formula for the good ones and throw away the ones that will not turn over well. Before long you will be tying up good leaders and loop knots in the dark.

It does make a difference. Employed correctly the proper leader system will provide the chance you came for. That next fish may be the big one of a lifetime. Learn and Plan now for that day. It is half of the fun!