When I received the Drosdak Smart Tapered Leader™ System
manufactured by Fisherman's Quality Products, the first
thing I did was read the letter from the inventor, Joe
Drosdak. In the letter Mister Drosdak states "For
individuals who have vision or manual dexterity
difficulties it is the ideal solution for eliminating
complicated knot tying requiring close vision or difficult
manipulation."
So I said to myself, "Self, this is just what you need."
After all, I'm pushing 60, my eyes aren't that great anymore
and I've got arthritis in both hands.
Installing the system was a snap. Just slip the fly line
adapter of the system onto your fly line, tie an over hand
knot in the line, trim the tag end and you ready to go.
Almost. Next, select a 9 foot leader in 3, 4, 5 or 6X, two
come with the system, and attach it into your fly line
adapter. This is where I ran into problems. With my eyesight
and arthritis, I managed to cross thread the leader a couple
of times. Yup, I said cross thread, The leader screws into
the fly line adapter.
Once on the line and fishing, the system worked pretty much
as advertised. No hinging on the cast, slid through the
guides on my graphite rods easily and didn't affect the
line performance in any way. Not a bad replacement for
a nail knot.
My problem with the producut is that it's claims that "it
is the ideal solution for eliminating complicated knot
tying" is a bit over rated. The only knot it eliminates
is a nail knot or needle knot attaching the butt section
of the leader to the fly line.
I don't know about anyone else, but I seldom use a nine
foot leader. If I do, I always add a couple of feet of
tippet to save the leader and there's that pesky blood
knot that the System does not eliminate. Not to mention
the improved clinch knot, Davey knot or your choice of
knots to attach a fly to the leader.
If you're a beginning fly fisherman with no idea of how
to tie a nail knot, always use a nine foot leader in 3,4,5,
or 6X then this system may be a good choice to get you on
the water in a hurry. It will not, however, make all your
knot tying worries go away, and, depending on the cost of
the tapered leaders, may get a bit spendy.
I think I'll stick with my loop to loop connection, furled
leader and tippet set up. The same furled leader has worked
well for the last three years, why change now. ~ Ron Eagle Elk (REE)
Fisherman's Quality Products
P.O. Box 112
Nesquehoning, PA 18240
Website: Smart Fishing
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