Furled Leaders

Saltwater Fly-Fishing
1

I just started making furled leaders for fresh water. If you use furled leaders, what material do you prefer and does anyone use them for salt water?
Thanks,

Ian.

2

Furled leaders are the way to go in salt in my opinion. But I’m lazy. I bought one for each rod 2 yrs ago with the metal ring on the end. I just add tippet and fish.

3

Depends on your application…I’ve used anything from fly tying thread in colors to clear sewing thread…overall either clear thread or light test mono

4

I’ve never used them… but am curious - what is the perceived benefit of a furled leader?

A long long slow walk in the spartina gives you time to think big thoughts and put your mind back into order.

  • Flatscaster
5

They turn over very well and are very durable. I get mine from feather craft

6

I guess I’ve just never had much trouble getting leaders to turn over unless they were poorly tied in the first place.

Maybe I’ll have to try one out and see for myself.

Thanks

A long long slow walk in the spartina gives you time to think big thoughts and put your mind back into order.

  • Flatscaster
7

I was curious about them, having come across quite a bit of content on various fly fishing forums / online mags. I made a jig and started making some. I use mono and Flat Waxed Nylon from Danvilles. I prefer the latter.
The benefits I’ve found so far from experimenting are:

  1. I can mix colours from the waxed nylon thread so the leader acts a bit like an indicator. Clearly this is probably not a great benefit when targeting big reds, but for bluegill, bass, trout etc. it’s pretty awesome.
  2. The presentation is unbelievably gentle with absolutely no memory. Casting with a furled leader opens up a whole bunch of new possibilities for a novice like me.
  3. It seems to me that I can go with a shorter leader than I’ve become used to. I’ve been throwing a 6’ furled leader with 3’ of tippet. This makes managing the line before casting a little easier for me, but again, I haven’t been doing this for as long as most who post here.
  4. I don’t know why but I can cast better in the wind with a furled leader and with a less aggressive double haul.
    Fraying is a negative that I have noticed with the waxed thread Denier leader. Having said this, it’s mostly very minor and cosmetic and I think they will still last longer than a traditional tapered leader.
    I haven’t taken one out in the salt yet so not sure if they perform differently, but theoretically they should perform just as well. Thanks for the responses.

Cheers,

Ian.

8

TooBusy makes them sometimes. I bought one off him. I’m not good enough to know what makes them better though :slight_smile:

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President, Summerville Saltwater Anglers

9

I haven’t churned out any in a while Dave. I sold a boat load of them a while back, problem is they never wear out.

The ones I did for salt were twisted from 4 lb mono. Freshwater were waxed fly tying thread.

There are a lot of recipes on the internet. My suggestion is to experiment with the taper and build what works for your style of fishing and the size flies you plan to toss.

Boat drinks, Waitress I need 2 more boat drinks!

10

i made some for salt with 15 lb mono or so. tried flourocarbon but it didnt seem to have enough memory, but might work on a jig. i twist by hand based on some video i found. i sit at the top of the stairs and hang them over the side to get the clearance needed for the first couple of twists. i have also braided some tapered ones with various mono, flouro, and braided line combos. havent been real happy with finishing the ends as you drop each of the lines out but i may try a new knot. braiding takes a good bit more time. i do like the way furled and braided leaders turn over and hit softly. i assume there is also some shock absorption. i am sure the same could be achieved with skill and practice, but for now i use them a good bit.

he’s pretty white for a fly guy

11

Ok… Breath - 10…9…8…7…

Thanks to everyone who weighted in on this discussion and convinced me of the merit of furled leaders.

Little pieces of line, twisted. That is all they are…

Thanks to everyone who gave me the tools and knowledge to prove I am dumb as a stump. This string goes there, that one breaks, this one curls around your hang nail, just as you squeeze the drill motor trigger. Pops at twist 500 and slaps you in the face. Did I mention that at 40+, I CAN NOT SEE A #$#$#&@$_(#^&$#^$)@#^$) 4 lbs fluorocarbon strand. It’s like the the (() cat, alive? dead? is there even a freaking box anymore… (() I have to go to the bathroom again, like four trips last night weren’t enough.

Fishing, a stress reliever they said, calms you they said… :stuck_out_tongue: