How To Tie Leaders

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Step 1.	Using 17 lb. Nylon coated steel leader material cut off about 18-20".
Step 2.	Clamp one end in your fly vice about 2-3" from the end.
Step 3.	Twist the end around the main part until you have a loop. See picture # 2 and clamp the two pieces together with a pair of needle nose pliers.
Step 4.	Take a BQ lighter or Bic lighter, melt the nylon coating together, this will join the two wire strands together making a very strong loop. See picture # 3. You will have a tag end of wire sticking out trim it short as you can.
Step 5.	Take a piece of coloured electrical shrink tubing and slide it up until it covers the tag end. You can then use the BQ lighter or if you have a propane hot air torch as I do shrink the tubing around the leader. This will do two things: one it will protect your hands from being cut if the leader is dragged through them. Two it gives you an easy way to colour code your leaders if you use more than one size EG. Clear for 17lb, white for 20lb and Red for 25lb. This way when you're changing leaders, there is no guessing to what lb. they are.