Hand tied Furled Leaders

[Steve Molcsan]

~ Delicate Thread Furled Leaders on small streams ~
I have seen arguments against and for their use, as far as I am concerned their use for small trout streams *Mini Brooks is unequal. The ability to transfer the energy from the fly line to the tip of the leader , with a subtle turnover and delicate drop onto the water during short distance casts is unmatched. Most notably during the roll and sling shot casts. Ones casting ability is key to using furled thread leaders on bushy small brooks. 1st time fly fisher at least from my view seem to have more problems with knots, the ability to gain full extensions and getting messy pileups that don't give the satisfaction that the experienced caster enjoys using threaded leaders. As such I believe the beginner is better suited starting with a thread leader that is a bit stiffer , selecting one size larger for instance . Once the "feeling of the cast is ingrained" it would be a good time to give loteck joes more delicate threaded leaders a go. Just MHO.

[sagefisher]

I agree Steve.

I have attended a couple of presentations by Darrel Martin (world traveler/fly fisher/historian/author). He used thread furled leaders for dry fly fishing and he said he loved the way the fly would land on the water.

Larry ---sagefisher---

[Jack Hise]

Steve;
You can add "Body" to a thread leader by doing a down and back "V" of 2 or 4 lb. mono.
I have found a 7X mono tippet that is 3.1 lb. test making a furled leader that is 9.3 lb. test and very close to the thread leader presentation.

[Steve Molcsan]

Good to know Jack

[vicrider]

I'm not sure what you're saying Jack. You're not talking about modifying a thread leader are you? Do you making a furled leader from light mono? I've used mono furled leaders and do not think they are near as nice as thread leaders. Just MO of course but mono leaders pick up with a lot more spray and do no sit down as lightly. Again, I stress IMO.

[NJTroutbum]

I've gone to furled thread for all of my trout fishing. For warm water mostly mono. It grabs pond scum much less.

[Steve Molcsan]

Thats has been my experience too. I have purchased a few of Lotech Joe's thread leaders I think he bases his on Kathy Scotts formulas
and tailors them from there, be interested to see what he recommends for warm water as well,
be well

[Lotech]

Thanks for bringing this subject up Steve. And yes, I build my furled leaders following Kathy Scott's formula. For me at least, nothing out performs furled leaders for fly presentation on Spring Creeks and Freestone Rivers. They are delicate, strong and free of those annoying coil memories. Because of the built-in taper, they transfer energy from line to fly the way you would hope. I've seen Kathy's formula furled leaders perform very well on rod/line weights from Sage's 00 weight rod to the large inexpensive broomstick 8 weights. One reason I like them is that they are easier for me to see than mono. I believe that any line, regardless of color, when on the surface and viewed from under water is going to appear for the most part as a black line. Unless you land the line right on top of the fish, you usually won't spook it. I also use furled leaders for my warm water applications. Most all the lakes I fish are relatively free of "pond scum" so I use them for both dry fly and sub-surface fishing. For surface or in the film fishing I prefer brighter colors because they serve as an indicator of a subtle take. For sub-surface fishing I like the darker colors like olive or dark brown. I've asked myself if the colors make a difference in success, and my answer has always been "I don't know." But it makes a difference in my confidence and that plays a big part in success. I don't want to turn this into a commercial, but just know, I offer my leaders at about 1/3 the cost of the larger retailers. Thanks again Steve for bringing this subject up. I really like fishing furled leaders and I believe everybody should at least try them. Then they can form their own opinion as to the viability of furled thread leaders.