Leader Turn Over

[Stripminer]

I have noticed that my tippet seems to fall in a jumbled mess around my fly often. I can't help but think this is killing my success rate. Last night I fished 6x and 7x and very often I did not get a straight leader out to the fish. I have noticed that a fresh 6x leader does straighten out nicely. I believe I may not be using tippet correctly.

Any tips or suggestions are appreciated.

- Tom

[pvansch1]

One of the things that helped me ou the most on turning flies over and presenting them properly is stopping the rod ofn the forward cast. If th rod tips drops I find the cast falls apart at the end.

[Jon]

What is your current set up - length of leader, tippet etc? And what kind of flies (wet, dry and how many) are you trying to present?

J

[The Fisherman]

Congratulations! Sounds like you're executing a nice natural pile cast, which is a great way to extend your drift over fussy fish. Use that pile of tippet to execute mends, get a great natural drift and catch even more fish.

A "straight leader out to the fish" is great for casting to stripers 70 feet away. It's a recipe for drag with delicate trout presentations.

How long is your tippet? I will often fish a long leader with up to 4' of 7x.

[Rich Strolis]

It might have more to do with your casting than your leader. "If" you are starting your forward cast too early and opening up your cast this will happen frequently. Study your cast before you alter your leader. Also sometimes if your fly line has a welded loop it can cause this phenomenon to occur.

[Z Fisher]

Agree with others that you've likely got a casting issue rather than a leader issue.

Are you getting a solid "stop" on your forward cast? I can intentionally do what you're doing by making a "weak" stop in my rod and then dropping it towards the water as the leader unfurls.

Also, is that "stop" in the right place (e.g. are you moving your rod tip too close to the water or too high above you)?