Hello from another newbie....(listens for the groans, lol)

[Cottonmouth]

Getting back into flyfishing after about a 30 yr. lay off. Long story...

Anyway, as a kid when I fly fished, I used straight mono for a leader, no tippets.

I fished small ponds and streams, for bass, rainbows and panfish in central Missouri. I had no instruction, no one to ask. (When I asked my father for a fly rod for my 13th birthday, he looked sad, but got me one)

I've moved back to central Missouri, and want to fish the Meramec, Meramec Springs, and small creeks. Was toying with buying some leaders and adding tippets. Going to get a 4 or 5 wt. rod.

I was thinking, from what I've read on this forum, that I'd get about a 7' tapered leader.

For a tippet, I was wondering if anyone's tried spiderwire. Supposedly, the 6 lb. spiderwire is the same diameter as 2 lb. mono.

What do you think? Any advice would be greatly appreciated....

(sure wish I'd had this resource in 1973!

Cottonmouth

[Jack Hise]

Welcome Aboard!! You'll enjoy it here for sure.
As to the Spider wire, it won't have any streatch but give it a try and let us know how it works.

P.S. New guys make the coffee and chop wood!

[rons81]

Welcome to the board, Cottonmouth.

I have used Spyder Wire Stealth and Stren Micro Fuse for furled leaders. For tippet I use mono or flurocarbon, fishing line or tippet material..

[Cottonmouth]

ummm, what's a furled leader?

as for a smaller diameter, I just thought that if I could have a 6 lb. leader that was the same diameter as a 2 lb., then it would give me more strength without sacrificing stealth.

Is stretch desirable in a leader?

What I don't know would fill volumes...

[Jack Hise]

Cottenmouth;
PM your mailing address and I'll send you a couple of 7' furled leaders. One that will float for dry fly's and one that will sink for wet flys. They can last for a season or more.

You'll want a little streatch to act as a shock absorber when a fish hits.

[jbrumberg]

ummm, what's a furled leader?

Is stretch desirable in a leader?

What I don't know would fill volumes...

Cottonmouth:

I can really relate. I too returned to flyfishing and flytying after a 30 year hiatus and am information needy. The products now available is truly amazing . The science of flyfishing and flytying grows exponentially. Thank goodness for sites like this one . Jay (Trout 5 Jay 0)

[scubatim]

If you have not yet PMed Jack Hise on his offer of a couple of furled leaders I would do it asap. After trying furled leaders I will use nothing else. Jack makes them right on.

[JohnScott]

Cottonmouth -

Just wanted to extend greetings and a welcome from SE Idaho.

Don't have any experience with spiderwire, so I really can't help you on your question. But given the quality of today's range of mono and floro tippet material, I wonder why you would consider a smaller diameter important ??

Also, for the kind of fishing you plan to do, have you considered furled leaders ?? Some folks on this BB are very knowledgeable about furled leaders, and have been known to offer a couple up to a newbie who expresses interest.

Yes, this is quite a resource. Take advantage.

John

[hungNtree]

Welcome aboard Cottonmouth! You will love Jack's furled leaders, I have got a couple and they are great.

hNt