The goal for most fly fishers is to provide the fish with a drag-free drift. This means the fly must look like it is not attached to anything (the leader) as it drifts in the current. A leader designed to fall on the water with built in slack will help accomplish this.

The George Harvey leader formula is considered the most effective leader formula for trout fishing. Constructed of hard and soft nylon, this leader can be adapted to any fishing situation. Lengthening and shortening the leader sections will effect how the leader behaves in the air and on the water. These changes can be made in seconds, in accordance with casting style, fly size and type, wind, rain - whatever. This leader is not designed to straighten out on the water. Rather, it should lie in a series of s-curves.

Flourocarbon leader material has gained a lot of attention in recent years. Manufacturers claim that it is closer to the specific gravity and density of water, therefore less detectable by the fish. Other advantages to fluorocarbon include increased sinking rate and very good abrasion resistance. Disadvantages include poor knot strength, even poorer wet knot strength, incompatibility with nylon in most situations, and cost - between 10-15 dollars per 30-meter spool vs. 3-4 dollars for high quality nylon. You decide.

George Harvey leader formula for 4 and 5 weight lines:

• .017 10"
• .015 18"
• .013 18"
• .010 18" (1X)
• .008 18" (3X)
• .007 18" (4X)

This creates a base leader tied entirely with a medium to hard nylon. Add soft tippet sections to get a perfect dead drift or swim your fly in any desired manner.