Twisted and Tied Fly Leaders

Want to change the way you look at fly leaders? Let me change your casting experience.

As much as any other piece of casting equipment the leader you use can enhance or inhibit the ease and accuracy of your casting. I have spent nearly two decades working to develop the best casting leader possible. Twisted and Tied Fly Leaders have been designed with the optimum combination of weight, bulk and flexibility using a hand twisted butt section that casts without the hinging effect of a leader butt that is too soft or too stiff. The result is a line of leaders that offer smooth turn-over and maximum energy transfer. Beyond the butt section each leader is knotted and tapered using formulas that have been proven to be effective in a wide variety of situations.
Available in 6 1/2, 8, 9 1/2 and 11 foot lengths from 0X to 7X break strength and they can be customized for 3 line weight classes (2-4 wt, 5-7 wt and 8-10 wt). Each leader length is designed to offer specific characteristics to enhance your fishing and casting pleasure.
The butt section is made with Berkley Trilene XL monofilament. The body/tippet section is made exclusively with Rio Powerflex tippet material. Both materials are proven performers that offer great knot strength, abrasion resistance and exceptional break strength.

The 6 1/2’ streamer/ bass bug leaders (0X-3X) offer more power transfer allowing you to turn over bulky or heavy flies. The lighter 6 1/2' leaders (4X-6X) are great for fishing small flies with short rods on small streams.

The 8’ Streamer/Bass Bug leaders (1X-3X) offer the same great power transfer for big heavy flies as the 6 1/2’ but with a extra separation between fly line and fly. The lighter 8' leaders (4X-6X) offer the same great turnover for smaller flies and excellent casting control. 

The 9 1/2’ leaders are great all around leaders for general stream and stillwater fishing. They offer great turnover for everything from tiny dries to medium sized streamers.

These 11’ leaders are designed to fish small flies to picky trout in tricky waters. The butt and center section turnover exceptionally well yet are designed so the tippet falls in coils helping to eliminate drag at the fly.

Each leader consists of one butt section and two interchangeable tip sections. Three packs include 3 butt sections and 6 tip sections.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions about the properties of these leaders or to order.

Handcrafted Landing Nets

I made my first landing net in 2009 because I needed a new net and I really like to make things with my hands. It took many hours, that turned into days, weeks and months before I finally put one together that I was happy with. Since that time I have tweaked, modified and improved the building process and the quality of my nets. Like many crafts handcrafting landing nets is an ongoing learning process with improvements being made constantly. Handcrafting nets has become a nearly full-time hobby that feeds my fishing and woodworking obsessions at the same time.

My landing nets represent more than just another fishing tool. These handcrafted catch-and-release landing nets represent tradition, craftsmanship and quality that celebrates the sport of flyfishing.
Flyfishing is a sport steeped in tradition and I am working to preserve the tradition of individually handcrafting wooden framed landing nets. In an age when automation and foreign labor have taken over a large segment of the market I believe there are still anglers who appreciate the personality, heart and soul found in a fine domestically handcrafted wooden landing net. Choose from one of the finished nets found on this page or contact me to custom configure a unique net to your specifications.
From the unique wood selection to the unlimited customization possibilities each net I produce is an individual culmination of the art. Because all of the work is done by hand no two nets are exactly alike though they all meet the same exacting standards of quality. As a life-long fisherman and craftsman it is my goal to produce nets I am proud to sell and you will be proud to fish. This goal is evident in every net I make and translates to outstanding quality.
Each net is hand numbered and my dragonfly logo is hand burned into the handle as my personal signature and guarantee that you will truly enjoy the quality of your net purchase.

If you’re looking for a unique fishing tool contact me and I will be happy to custom build a net to meet your fishing needs..

I am currently building 6 models with more in the works.

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The Pocketwater is a super lightweight net that is crafted for use in those small, secluded streams that don't attract crowds, they attract dedicated anglers. The trout in these streams are small by trophy hunter standards but the rewards are immense in solitude and beauty. These diminutive nets celebrate those streams and the trout that live there. This net is so light you won't know it's there until you need it for that 16" cutthroat or brookie you weren't expecting. The traditional teardrop shape and super soft, knotless nylon bag are catch and release friendly for both fish and angler.

19 1/2" overall length
8" x 14" hoop opening

From $ 165.00

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The Freestone is designed for use on the classic Rocky Mountain freestone trout stream. They are just the right size to hang from a vest or belt without being obtrusive yet are capable of easily handling trout to 20"+. The teardrop design is the ultimate tribute to classic flyfishing equipment. The carefully rounded edges are extremely catch and release friendly for the fish while the handle shape and overall size of the net make it user friendly for the angle. Available with your choice of a soft knotless nylon or clear thermoplastic bag.

22" overall length
9 5/8" x 15" hoop opening

From $ 179.00

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The Long Handle Freestone is a long handled version of Model 2 which is designed for use on the classic Rocky Mountain freestone trout stream. They are just the right size to hang from a vest or belt without being obtrusive yet are capable of easily handling trout to 20"+. The teardrop design is the ultimate tribute to classic flyfishing equipment. The carefully rounded edges are extremely catch and release friendly for the fish while the handle shape and overall size of the net make it user friendly for the angle. Available with your choice of a soft knotless nylon or clear thermoplastic bag.

29" overall length
9 5/8" x 15" hoop opening

From $ 210.00

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The Tailwater is great for those dedicated to hunting trophy trout on foot in tailwater streams, lakes and ponds. When you're after big trout you need a big net that will accommodate the trophy you've been chasing for multiple seasons. Fishing from a craft can be fun and rewarding but there's something to be said for having your boots on the bottom and the model 4 is perfect for those times. This model is large enough, due to the modified teardrop hoop design for a real trophy yet still compact enough to not get in the way. The lengthened, swelled butt handle allows for easy and secure grip in the heat of the moment when having a net in hand is critical. The carefully rounded edges are extremely catch and release friendly for the fish. Available with your choice of a soft knotless nylon or clear thermoplastic bag.

26" overall length
11" x 16" hoop opening


From $ 219.00

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The Float Tube is designed with the special needs of float tube anglers in mind and is the model I carry in my tube at all times. For many anglers there is no better way to experience the pursuit of our favorite species than from a float tube, kayak or pontoon. The personal connection to the water and its environment is enhanced while floating in the world we penetrate with line and fly.  The hoop is big enough to accommodate the larger trout, bass often found in stillwaters while the handle length gives you the reach you need without extra bulk. The carefully rounded edges are extremely catch and release friendly for the fish. Available with your choice of a soft knotless nylon or clear thermoplastic bag.

32" overall length
11 1/2" x 16 1/2" hoop opening

From $ 249.00

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The Pontoon is just what the angler ordered when it comes to fishing from a pontoon, high floating tube or small boat. The large hoop is designed for large trout, bass and steelhead up to 28" and features a handle length for the reach needed to net fish from a medium height watercraft. The slightly swelled butt on the handle ensures a positive grip at full reach. The carefully rounded edges are extremely catch and release friendly for the fish. If you are looking for a net specifically for fishing from a pontoon or other small watercraft this is it. Available with your choice of a soft knotless nylon or clear thermoplastic bag.

36" overall length, 12" x 18" hoop opening    From $ 269.00

Hello Again

For the past few years I've been rambling into cyberspace as  Dragonfly Angler. Some of you who read this have been following along, thank you for that. It is however time for a change maybe even a bit overdue. As such I'm re-branding my ramblings, this time under my own name. It seems lots of people use dragonfly as a name in one form or another. Confusion ensues when too many want the same name. So I'm switching my ramblings to the name mother intended for me. I will be retaining the dragonfly logo.

Welcome to J Wood Fly Fishing.

For as long as I can remember fishing has been a total obsession. From the time I was able to hold a fishing rod getting on the water and hunting fish has been my focus. Along the way tinkering with my equipment has been irresistible. It started decades ago with modifying crank baits and spinner baits along with carving a few plugs of my own for bass, growing up in Texas it's what a fishing finatic has to chase. Over the years my tinkering has taken on many incarnations then I found fly fishing and even more tinkering has ensued.

I started introducing some of my tinkering in 2009 after being forced into medical retirement. I'm just too young to be sitting around on the porch whittling for the grandkids. Tying flies for friends is where the madness began, actually the madness began a few decades ago but 2009 is when I made it known to the world. Flt tying has become a real obsession and a few of my weird ideas actually catch fish, go figure.

After reading a score of books and spending hundreds of hours on and a few under water I eventually figured out that fish don't perceive flies the way we do or the way they look in the vise. This brought about a change in the way I view every fly that comes off my vise, even the old standards. If you can find a copy check out Gary LaFontaine's The Dry Fly: New Angles. Take it to heart and it will change the way you tie and fish dry flies.

I will still be concocting new flies from time to time and will make them available to anyone who wants to try them. For those of you who have been using some of my patterns just contact me for refills in your fly boxes.

Retailers can find some of my designs for wholesale purchase at Catch Fly Fishing.

Hand tied leaders are also still available but they probably won't be changing the fishing world, although they should. If you throw big or multiple flies or fish in the wind frequently and haven't tried them you owe it to your fishing pleasure to give them a try.

I am still building and offering handcrafted landing nets . There is a model for almost every freshwater fishing situation.

If you wish to purchase anything you find here contact me. I won't be doing instant purchase buttons and a shopping cart for now. What I do is very personal and anything you find here can be customized for your fly fishing needs.

Before you write this blog off as a strictly retail experience let me assure you I will be rambling on the same as in the past on just about any fishing related subject that comes to mind and maybe a few subjects that have nothing at all to do with fishing.