Furled leaders

[Chappy]

I've been thinking about dabbling into the world of theses bad boys and was wondering if anyone knew where I could buy some. I know there are a couple places online but was curious if anyone had an idea of companies to try. I think cabelas has Blue Sky but I have never heard of them. I know it is not to hard to make them I've seen the formulas and process but I just would rather give 'em a shot before I go making myself a jig.

[2Weight]

If you want the ones made from Thread, they have them at Classic & Custom. They are made by one of our own Flyfishermen, Marshal Jackson.

[Chappy]

That sounds good. thanks 2wt.

[TonyM]

Furled leaders very interesting. I'm evaluating them this summer, comparing dry fly leaders based on George Harvey leader formulae to furled leader plus soft tippet addition. So far, I'm getting mixed results. I think if you're fishing very technical dry fly conditions (slow flows, quieter water, spooky fish, small flies), then I feel the George Harvey leader formula provides better casting, slack tippet float and control. With heavier flows, bigger flies, tandem rigs, nymphs, etc., the furled leader seems to be simpler and provides more flexibility. The fulrled leader seems to provide better casting for less skilled casters (and I'm probably in this pool), and the Geo. Harvey leader seems to provide better drag-free casting capability.

Jury still out. I'll be interested in your opinions. Results may vary depending on an individuals casting style.

Tony M

[2Weight]

I have been using them for a few years now and like them very much as long as they are made out of Mono. I have a bunch of the thread ones and do not like them one bit. 2WT

[Housy Dave]

At the risk of sounding like a total newb....What's a furled leader? What are they useful for?

It's some new dry fly thing aint it :roll: :lol:

[2Weight]

This is a good description.

http://www.midcurrent.com/articles/gear/brown_furled_leader.aspx

[Freestoner]

Feather Craft fly fishing has fantastic furled leaders that come in different lenghths for trout, light trout, bass etc. Great leaders with a small brass ring at the tippet end for attaching additional material. I use them with Orvis bimini tippet material and they work very well. Check them out at www.Feather-craft.com.

[2Weight]

I have a couple of those. I broke the ring on one. I don't think they are Brass though. They work nice on some of my rods but on my new TXL 3 wt it just does not hack it. A friend of mine has the TXL 2wt and he has the same problem. I have no Idea why. I use a Maxims leader with the .020 butt and it turns over like a charm. The FC leader works great on my SPL's. 2WT

[pvansch1]

Furled leaders are basically a tapered rope, made much like rope by twisting several strands together. It's a looping process to build in the taper. Very simple to make.
For those not liking the turn over, or if you just want a stiffer leader try treating with a coat or two of linseed oil and then float it with Mucelin. What I find also helps withthe 5' leaders is to use about 18" of 4x or 5x tippet and then add whatever you want for lighter tippet.

Pete

[Ray]

I put them throught the paces a few years ago, I tried 5 or 6 from hand made to Blue Sky. After fishing them and comparing them to braided I threw them all in the trash. Here's the scoop, the mono ones are 100 times better then ones made from thread. The thread ones are complete trash, here's why, they twist terribly, sink like a rock, and worse of all they have too much mass for thier weight, this causes them to slow down line speed to the point at which it feels as if line is too light for the rod and you can't get the rod to load, lastly they take floatant poorly and twist when you try to apply it. If your thinking about trying them I would highly recommend you go with a braided leader instead, they are far superior.

[2Weight]

Ray, I agree with you about the thread ones. I just can not use them. I had one made for my 0wt and it was the worst of all. I do like some of the Mono ones, but I think each rod handles them differently. For years all I ever used was Braided leaders but got away from them for some unknown reason. I now use the Maxima with a .020 butt. 2WT

[pvansch1]

Any leader will twist with winged flies and light tippet. Longer the leader more they twist.
Been fishing thread furled leaders for about three years, float them with Mucilin and they float!
Was at a Rodmakers Gathering last weekend and they had a speaker from Cortland there discussing fly line tapers and manufacturing. He made a very interesting point about the Cortland Sylk and tip sink, the tip sinks because in about 1/2 an hour mono retains aout 40% of its' weight in water, just like a sponge and sinks the tip. He recommended using a floatant on the butt of mono leaders to eliminate the problem, others there confirmed they do the same and grease their mono leaders.
For me, mono furled leaders are too bulky and thick, stretch wierd and have memory.
Braided leaders retain water and spray.
The tip diameter of silk is much finer than PVC lines. therefore the transition of silk to a thread furled leader is smoother.
Pete