T11 T14&Leader Help please!!

[Ross S.]

This will be my first fall swinging flies for steelhead. After much research I have a good understanding on how the rods and lines work. Since being from Michigan, Ill be fishing the muskegon, pere marquette, and a couple other small tribs. My only confusion is the sink tips and there length as well as leader length (I will be fishing skagit style line). Just need some info on the lenghths and wieghts for the rivers listed above.

Thanks!!

[underhander]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=spey+lines+explained

1st hit.

[SSG Steelhead]

There is a lot to know there based on the river, fly, current and a bunch of other factors that will come with trial and error. With a sink tip keep the leader short, I go no more than 36"-48" but average 24" or so. You do not want the sink tip to keep the line low and the fly to flutter up higher. Your leader length will depend on a number of factors like I said before. For my 14' my go to set up for winter months in a higher flow situation is 12' T11 with 24" 15lb maxima leader. I use large somewhat sparse flies. You will have to see on the water what works best.

I will have sink tip tied in the following with a mono loop on the end 15, 12, 10 ft and loop to loop in the following lenghts so they can be combined as needed 10, 7, 3 with that you cannot go wrong. Experament and have fun.

Eric

[buckeye17]

SSG,
Do you then run a tippet from the 24'' leader that is coming off your T11? I've just gotten into using T11 tips to get my presentation down on the swing whether its my switch or the traditional fly rod. If you do run a tippet from the leader, how long? I understand that you don't want the fly too far away from the t11 or like you said it will float back up or not get all the way down. Many Thanks!

[speyrod1]

I run about 24-30 inches of 10lb-17lb straight from the T14 no tippet here in the St Marys Rapids lengths depend on run or hole im fishing seems to work great

[speytyer]

24 to 36 inches of 10lb Maxima looped directly to the end of the T-14. No tippet, no extra knots.
After years of nymphing for steelhead with 6lb Maxima, I've never felt the need for more than 10lbs. That of course, is subject to change.

[kweetech]

I use some 8lb flouro..for super clear low streams..but mostly 10/12/15lb mono..depending on conditions. 2-4 feet off the sinktip..

[shotgunner]

I'll bite..

Couple reasons I like a '2 step' leader on my tips.

A: With any longish [over 3'] length it helps considerable with fly turn over.

B: It allows 'fail safe' spot for your leader to break off with a hang up. Hook eye preferrably.. but sometimes other due abbrasion. Saves losing the entire section from your sink tip and keeps tippit piece fresh.