Just for fun, I’ve been keeping a map marked with a dot for every furled leader maker I’ve found. I began when I met Jim Cramer in Montana, and realized that it wasn’t just an eastern thing (my mentors were from Maryland, Rhode Island, and Maine). Of course, there was Darrell Martin. Then the British (starting with the references in The Complete Angler). There was a rancher in Idaho who had converted his cast iron rope maker with tiny extensions.
Now, I look at the map, and find only four states missing furlers: Nevada, North Dakota, New Mexico, and Georgia. Anybody know somebody who’s is “twisted” -grin - in those four states?
Kathy, hoping your DVD gets here today. We have been making them for about a month, but I can’t wait for the DVD to see how to do it right! Question, do you use those little rings?
Well - grin - I don’t know if I make them the “right” way, but the dvd should be there any minute in any case
Nope, I don’t use the little rings. For the fishing I do (trout in small clear streams) I’ve always been concerned that they’d be a distraction, and I like my little Shorb loops. Some people really like them though, so I’d give it a try if they sound good to you, and see what you think.
After receiving a couple of furled leaders from a new FAOL friend, I plan to start making my own in the next couple of weeks so. After that, you can cross Georgia off your list or add it to your list as the case my be.
JS, you will love it. It is so much fun experimenting with different material and thread counts. My ol’ man got interested first and I watched him, now I am the one making them, but then mathmatics have always interested me.
Hi Kat;
Less than 6 weeks 'til opening day!!
I received a sample of Fish-N-Nick’s furled leaders (per his dad recommendation) and he does a great job. So, you’ve lost a customer as I ordered 3 more plus paid for the sample. I also sent him some extra Uni 6/0 & 8/0 thread’s I had. 12 year old’s can do most anything!!
Don’t forget the Michigan Fish-In August 14th to the 20th. The Holy Water’s of the Au Sable await you!!
Jack - Great! I love to support the kids. I have 3 7th graders right now who are determined to give A.K. Best some competition by tying flies in the garage. So far they have three patterns for sale
Jim - Different results to be sure. I especially notice a difference in the uniforminty and frequency of the furls, and the even distribution on the end loops, my pet “first glance” items.
I live in southern South Carolina and have been a furlaholic for about a year. I love them and make them from many different materials then pass them along to all who will listen.
Kathy, you can add a dot to College Station, Texas. I learned to make them from Al Lindberg at the East Outlet (actually it was the same day I met you the first time) but I’ve since moved down to TX to so my wife and I (starting next fall for me) for school.
Now days I furl my leaders in one piece that is thick at the ends and thin in the middle, put at weight on it and carefully fold it in half so that it furls evenly. It takes twice as much room, but saves about half the time and, for me at least, it’s a lot easier than trying to work with two separate halves (legs).
[This message has been edited by Bill Blake (edited 18 March 2006).]
Thank you for that two leaders at one- time, idea. I have a 16 foot jig board for furling, that could be used to double my production, of shorter lengthened furled leaders.
If it works out (as I think it will), I maybe start building a addition on to create a 24 foot jig board, to do doubles on the longer furled lines. Reason is that sometimes I run into a little hassle with the thin end breaking, during the twist. If the thin portion was in the middle of the run, I do not think this would become a problem.
Kathy:For the record, put a dot on White Bear Lake, MN.
You’re welcome, thought it’s actually both halves of one leader at the same time. I got the idea to do it that way because I used to make my own yo-yo strings when I was a kid. They are furled and then folded in half so that you have a little loop at the end that the yo-yo will spin at the end of the string instead of returning immediately (so that you can do tricks with them).
[This message has been edited by Bill Blake (edited 19 March 2006).]
Kathy I read the article by Castwell and I am very interested in the DVD you have. I can not find the link now and I would be appreciative if you could send me the particulars for getting one. Who knows you might just start mapping Canada.
