Hi FML 317,

Welcome to another in-state fisherman. I do a lot of fly fishing for LMB, brim, stripers and hybrids on Lake Hartwell. I also get up to the Chattooga River for a little trout fishing every once in a while. If you ever plan on getting up toward Anderson, give me little advanced notice and we can get together for a fishin.

I like the advice that OhioTuber and several others have given you. A furled leader costs about 12.95 instead of 4 bucks for a standard tapered leader but it's well worth the price. I fish a lot of boat launch areas with tons of sharp rocks and riprap. I tear up at least one tapered leader per fishing session on these obstacles. The furled leaders seems to resist the cuts and abrasions for several months. I carry a couple of spools of 15lb, 12lb, 10lb test and replace three or four feet of tippet regularly. The furled leader turns over big flies well and lasts forever. Try it, you'll like it. 8T