Orvis knotless leaders

[misterpaul]

I've always used Orvis knotless leaders, but this year I noticed a considerable change in them. They seem more brittle and prone to things like curling and kinking. Is anyone aware of why this might be? I have always been satisfied with these leaders, but I'm about to change brands unless I figure this out.

For the details:
I buy new leaders every few months
Usually get 9ft. 5x Mono

[Midge Man]

I don't buy orvis anymore, not because of any particular compliant, but due to the cost. I go through leaders pretty quickly it seems and I like to fish new leaders when I do get to go on the river. So I have started buying the White River (store brand from bass pro). They aren't notted, but it only takes a second to through on a perfection loop and get going. I can usually buy two leaders for the price of one orvis leader. So that is the way that I go. I haven't had any problems with White River thus far.

[dudley]

They seem more brittle and prone to things like curling and kinking. Is anyone aware of why this might be?

Sounds like they've been in the sun

[waynep]

I use Orvis leaders. I have not noticed a difference yet. But I have not bought any in the last 4 months. I tie my own for warm water and only use the Trout (4x) leaders.

wayne

[pspaint]

I've noticed that with there nylon leaders, as well. Not so much that they're brittle but they never seem to straighten out. The Mirage Fluro is a bit better but it doesn't straighten out all that well either. You might want to try the Frog's Hair leaders. They're a bit pricey but they're well worth it.

[misterpaul]

Dudley, these leaders haven't been in the sun since I've owned them. Quite the opposite, actually. I took a brand new leader with me last Saturday and it was awful. I cut off about 12 inches and tied on my own 5x tippet. The first fish I landed wasn't anything significant, but landing it produced a curl in the last 4 inches of the leader. The tippet was fine, though.
This isn't a new development, either. The last 3 I bought and used this year have had problems. One just kept breaking off and the other two would never stay straight. Every time I fought a fish, the leader would get more and more curled.

Midge Man, I will have to try the White River brand. I live one mile due west of the original store here in Springfield, Missouri, so I'll just run up there this weekend.

[RoyC]

I bought some last week and they are just fine. Not brittle and the leaders straighten out perfectly. You may have a dealer with a supply that was damaged, excess heat or what ever. I would look for another source of supply for the Orvis leaders.

RoyC

[krausebb]

Try boiling your leaders for 5 min. It makes them stretch when you set the hook. I learned from the world fly fishing champ from Portugal.

[Carp]

Ive used orvis leaders for ten years now and used them with my clients when I was guiding but it seems like in the last few years things have got real inconsistant at Orvis. Its to the point thta I tore up my guides pro card and will not buy orvis anymore.

[ducksterman]

I guess you can get a bad run of anything...but this is nothing new...years ago I bought an Orvis leader kit to tie my own...all spools were just about worthless they broke so easily just constructing the leaders....at least I didn't fish them....

Then Orvis came out with the Super-Strong and I found them quite good.