Brittle or Discolored Fluorocarbon?

[billhouk]

I've been fishing the Brookville (IN) tail waters quite abit in the past month. I've noticed the fluorocarbon leaders I am using appearto discolor and turn brittle. I even tried a "new" one purchased fromthe "O" fly shop. I asked the folks at the "other" fly shop and they had heard one report of the "O" shop fluorocarbons discoloring. They had not associated it with the tail waters.

The leaders do not appear to be affected by the water in the local pond where I fish quite a bit. Compared to the tail waters the pond could be considered acess pool. I am wondering if the tail waters are extremely acidic or alkaline.

The selling point of fluorocarbon is that is invisible in water. It is not if it discolors. Turning brittle, it losses a lot of flies.

Has anyone else experienced discoloring or brittle fluorocarbons? (Perhaps I'mturning brittle...)

[sagefisher]

Billhouk,

Wow, now that is interesting. One of the so called bad points about fluorocarbon is that it will last almost forever, in or out of the water. I have never experienced any cracking. As for getting discolored, I assume that can happen, but it would have to be something really strong in the water to cause it. I sure would not eat any fish from that water until you have the water checked. With mono yes, but not fluoro.

Larry ---sagefisher---

[Mike Thomas]

One of the tips I was given by a retailer as few years ago was always take the Fluorocarbon leaders from the back of the display. Fluoro can be badly affected by UV light, so try to avoid any that has been out on display in full sunlight.
All the best.
Mike

[Jayatwork]

One of the tips I was given by a retailer as few years ago was always take the Fluorocarbon leaders from the back of the display. Fluoro can be badly affected by UV light, so try to avoid any that has been out on display in full sunlight.
All the best.
Mike

Interesting, given the fact that flourocarbon has been hyped as being much more resistant to UV than mono.

[EdD]

Jayatwork, it might be more resistant than mono but still be badly affected by UV light.

If a water contaminant it suspected, a local rep of the Isaac Walton League might be able to tell you if there is anything strange in the water.
That batch of leader material might have spent a few days in a trailer in the sun back when we were "enjoying" 100+ degree (F).
There could be an air quality factor at home that affects it. (Has there been any painting, drywall work, or other exposure to solvents?)

Regards,
Ed

[billhouk]

I suspected heat but, newly purchased leader did the same. It was not exposed to excessive heat while I have had it.