Been reading along on this board for about 2 months and joined today. You folks have taught me alot … thanks.
I live in the foothills of North Carolina and get to fish in the mountains for trout about twice a month. I also smallmouth fish in a large, shallow river when the water is right. I have several questions about furled leaders: do any of you make your own? Is it difficult? How in the world to you make the small loops on both ends of the furled leader? I’ve built a jig and tied up 3 thus far but the loops on the end are killing me.
You have several options. Depending on how you construct the leader you may be able to use a Shorb loop or an American loop. If your construction method does not permit this, it is quite easy to whip loops on each end. This is quick and easy and I have done hundreds this way.
On the other hand you really don’t need loops at all. Tie the tippet on with a double sturgeon’s knot and use a jamb knot or a nail knot to tie the butt to the fly line. When changing tippets leave the old knot on the leader end until you have the new knot tied to prevent unraveling.
I personally like the Shorb Loop, but that’s just me.
One method:
To make it, just go back from an end about an inch and twist the two legs of the leader open a tiny bit so you can poke a “knitpicker” or a grasshopper leg tool or even a crochet hook through between them.
Lay a spacer like a pencil across the leader between that spot and the original end. This will preserve that inch or so as it becomes your new furled end-loop.
With the end of the knitpicker still sticking through between the two legs of the leader, catch the original end-loop and pull it back through the little space you made (right through the leader).
Then, thread the opposite original end-loop through that first original end-loop, and pull the entire length on the leader through until it chokes up on the pencil. The new end-loop will be clinched off and secure when you slip it off the pencil.
Greetings fellow newbie. Yes I’m a newbie here too, so take my info for what it’s worth.
If I understand your question, I have learned to tie the Perfection Loop to make small loops in the leader to attach it to the fly line. It’s easy to tie and one can easily adjust the loop size.
I’ve been making furled leaders for a little while now (and enjoying the heck out of fishing with them, by the way!). I have been tying a small whipped loop at each end of the leader, and it has worked great for me so far. I put a thin coat of glue (I think the one I use is called Knot Sense, but I don’t have the bottle in front of me), and it works fine. Just don’t make the whipping too bulky, as it can sometimes cause tangles while casting if there is an irregular area for the tippet to snag.
I think one of the things I’ve enjoyed about making the leaders is experimenting with a different leader lengths and materials - anything from 6/0 tying thread treated with mucilin to monofilament to fluorocarbon.
Anglerdave, Jim, Kathy. Flyertyer, Dennis: thanks for all the advice. After I posted my message I happened to check out the archives on furled leaders and found about 88 posts. I read plenty of them and later this evening I ordered a dvd from Kathy.
I’ve got a good feeling about this board. Thank you all for sharing what you know. I’ve been fly-fishing for about 3 1/2 years and truly love it. I’ve been tying equally long and love it as well. When I discovered a person could make their own furled leader I just couldn’t believe it. I’m gonna’ go fishing Monday and try them furled leaders out.
Anyone wanting the newest Shorb loop info, I have it but is in PDF format that I can e-mail the attachment of it to anyone wanting it. Just e-mail me and I will send it on.
After using/fishing flurled leaders for many years I find I do prefer the loop to loop connections and Skips loop is the only way to go.
I have Skips permission to send it on to anyone, all he asks if for anyone using it to give him the proper credit.
The orriginal drawing and explanation by Skip is to be found here on FAOL.
I too, have been making furled leaders for several years. I love them. I make them from quilters thread to 6lb mono. the only thing better is an english braided leader, but I only get back to Tackle-Up in Bury-St. Edmunds, about every 15 yrs to get them.
I’d have to say the perfect loop is about the best way to go. I’ve made plenty of Furled leaders and have yet to have a P L break or anything along them lines. Later Matt