Leader length

Question
Just started fly fishing....yesterday!Is there a specific length for my leader? I cast out 40 feet of line and my fly ends up 12 feet away. Coach

Answer
Ron,
It really depends on what fly line, the type of fishing, and the fly you'll use. Generally speaking, if you are fishing for trout and panfish with a floating line and smaller type flies, you should use a leader that is approximately the length of your fly rod (about 9-11ft).

If you are casting out 40' of line and your fly ends up 12' away, you might be having an issue with your casting technique. Since your are just beginning to learn fly fishing, I would recommend that you focus on making shorter more accurate casts rather than concentrating on trying to make long casts. When you are casting, make sure that you are maintaining the correct form by stopping your casts at 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock. Also, do not try and overpower your cast as this will create problems with your cast also. In addition, give your line time to straighten out on your backcast before starting your forward stroke.

I hope this helps,

Gary