Furled Leaders - Again

While at Cabela's today I picked up a pre-made furled leader. I've read several of the posts on furled leaders on the site and figured I'd pick one up as they were on sale about 50% off, and if the leader worked as intended it would last long enough to justify the price.

The leader was made by BlueSky Furled leaders out of nylon. The thing I noticed when I got home and was attaching the leader to my line was how stiff the loops at both ends were. On the flyline end the loop is so stiff I have concerns it will bite into the loop on the flyline. For those who make their own furled leaders is this normal?

Thanks,
Brian

No...I wonder if it was coated with super glue?

Ducksterman,

Could be. It is deffinately stiff and appeares if it has been coated with something.

Brian

The feather-craft(nymph type) mono leader that I have is stiff at its head also and I have had no problems with it damaging the loops on my line after a couple of seasons of use so far.

Brian,
I think your concern re: the fly line damage is well taken...been there done that...not with furled leaders but with super glue and knots.:roll:

What kind of leader did you get....nylon ,thread, fluro..etc...for dry or wet....

Send me your address in a PM and I'll drop one in the mail to you.

I have a Blue Sky furled leader also and have not had any problems with the fly line loop cutting into the fly line. You are right though, the loop on the leader does seem to be much stiffer than on a regular monofilament leader.

Regards

One of the best furled leaders I've tried are from a gentleman from IL, "StreamSide Hand Crafted Furled Leaders". I don't use them alot, but when the need arises, they have proven extremely well and do no damage at all to the line, and lay down very nicely on the water.

Streamside Furled Leaders

Not affiliated with them in anyway, just a satisfied customer :)

Mike

ducksterman,

You have PM.

Brian

I've seen a lot of referance to "Super Glue" in furled leader threads. I don't use it because I don't see a need too. I've never had a Shorb Loop fail or damage the fly line loop.
I agree with Ducksterman and hope to see a report on what you think of his. He's given me some great tips on improving my leaders.

wouldnt the stiffness of the fly line end simply be the result of more furled strands of material at that end vs the tippet end???

There's some truth to that Normand...but when I create the "handshake" I like to see the "handshake" part give a little and sort of "melt" into each other...hope that's clear:roll:

I will say as I mentioned above time when I've used "super glue"...the Chinese grip loops would be a good example...eventually the stiff part has fractured the fly line coating.

Normand,

It does really seem like there is something on the loop creating a more monolithic and stiff loop than I would have expected considering the supleness of the rest of the leader.

I'll try and remember to get the macro lens out when I get home this evening and see if I can get a picture which provides a clearer idea of what I'm seeing.

Brian

Brian:

I have used the Blue Sky mono leaders and yes they are stiff in the loops. It was my impression that they used some sort of hard glue on them to keep the loops open.

When I did use them I had no issues with the loop causing any damage to the fly line loop; no more damage than what would be caused by using a butt of .020+ mono on a regular knotted or extruded leader which I've done 1000 times.

BTW - Don't form any opinions of furled leaders until you try one made of thread!

Phil,

I recieved the leaders in the mail yesterday. Absolutely amazing works of art to be honest. I rushed through dinner just so I would have the chance to lawn cast them before it got dark. I haven't had a chance to try out the thread leader yet, but the mono one cast impressively well (actually made it look like I knew what I was doing!).

I also found it interesting that the loops on your leaders were wide open without anything (I could see) on the loops, unlike the blue sky one I purchased.

Thank you again for sending them out. Now I just need to convice the wife that I need materials for another fly fishing related hobby!

Brian

Hi, Brian,

I think you'll find that you already have most of what you need to make furled leaders already... unless you really really want that new drill ;-)

Kat