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jdecoudres

Leaders

Leaders  

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Im thinking of trying to make my own leaders when I read some things about the knots bing in the line was a pain and then stubbled across these furled leaders I know nothing about so just seeing what you guy like

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For the last 15 years I've been making and using them. Making them takes an investment in time and trouble, though it isn't all that expensive to get going. Here's a how to piece I did on them a few years back. By making your own you can get what you want in turns of taper stiffness and length. There is a lot of technical talk goes on around leader furling that isn't necessary. You don't need micrometers and to count the exact number of turns to get a leader that works better than your casting needs. Unless you cast is identical every time, then 10 or 20 more or less turns of thread isn't going to make a difference.

 

You can make a furled leader from any material you can twist, most of mine these days are made of tying thread or Kevlar. Tying thread makes a great leader. Thread leaders have the taper and stiffness to turn a fly over well. Once they hit the water they are totally limp so give a better drift to a dry fly. Kevlar leaders are extreamly strong, stiffer than thread leaders (better for big flies), and, unless treated, sink like a brick. Mostly I use these for salmon fishing.

 

The one disadvantage that they have is that they hold water. This can come out as a spray at the end of a false cast. It is advisable then, to make your first false cast away from the fish you are covering.

 

That about sums up my approach. If you want to have a go at making them, I'll help when you have questions. Recently I taught a friend how to do it over Skype, so I'm sure that I can get you going.

 

Cheers,

C.

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I've been using furled leaders almost exclusively for the past 8 years, or so. I make most of mine out of 8/0 Uni-Thread, but sometimes, for larger fish, I'll switch to 6/0 Uni-Thread or even .004" mono.

 

I agree with most of what was said above. They are not hard to make, require a minimum of tools and perform well beyond most other leader options. With thread based leaders, I always treat them with hard bee's wax before fishing them. In addition to making them water resistant, the bee's wax seems to improve their durability as well.

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