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
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.
Sounds like they’ve been in the sun
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
I’d say that the solution is to switch brands. I personally like the Rio knotless leaders. Frog hair also makes a nice leader and nice tippet material, but I don’t have the experience with them to warrant a referral. I have never had a problem with the Rio leaders or their tippet material. Give them a try, maybe you’ll like them too.
Geez, did anyone contact Orivs?
MontanaMoose
You tore up an over 50% discount card for … INCONSISTANCE… :shock: REEEEAAAALLLYYYY!?
Its 40% off retail plus tax and shipping. And Yes I tore it up this week and I will be mailing it to them with a real long letter. It is not just over the leader material it has to do with several other items and the way they deal with problems. I used orvis for years and now Ive iether sold or returned just about it all. I do have 3wt T3 i’m haveing a hard time parting with and a few other things. But basicly its all gone compared to what I had
If I was ORvis I would want to know about a defective product.
Sad…
We had an Orvis shop here that has gone out of business…besides the bigbox issue when I talked to the owner a lot of it was how Orvis was treating him…he was exclusively Orvis…again …sad
Thats products and they here from me its just that Orvis has lost something that used to set them apart from most others and thats listening to the customer. I wouldn’t get this worked up over one product but in the last few years its been most of them for me. Boots, sunglasses, vest, flyboxes, tippet and the list goes on.
I second the use of RIO leaders. Have tried several other brands and the quality of RIO has stuck with me. They’re a better deal in the 3 pack.
Scott
Oh well; here goes…
I used Orvis Super Strong tippet material for years until I got hooked on Fluorocarbon. I NEVER had a problem with it and I STILL use it on occasion. Orvis Mirage is excellent BTW and the BEST value out there in premium Fluoro.
I also used to be a HUGE fan of the Orvis Lay Straight leaders until they discontinued them; again, never a problem.
I recently tried some of the Orvis Hy-Float leaders for fishing on rough waters where a sinking leader makes for a difficult pick-up; once again, great product, no problems.
I ONLY use Orvis nippers and have many pair that are VERY old and still cut great.
I ONLY use Orvis zingers and I have some that are older than dirt.
The ONLY leader material I ever had a problem with was Umpqua, Dai Riki, Rio and Climax.
If folks with real Orvis issues would complain to Orvis instead of here; I am sure they would get satisfaction. Their customer service is excellent. Bad stuff happens to most companies but it the ones that will make it right will continue to get my business.
Some people just like to bash Orvis for some reason I just don’t understand. When I first started flyfishing they were about your only choice for a lot of stuff. Now days; you have a myriad of products to choose from yet a lot of fly fishers just continue to rag on Orvis like they had no other option.
I understand some people have real issues with product; to those folks I say: complain to Orvis directly. The others who just like to bash because they have something against dog beds or high priced balloons…
…get over it!
I use Orvis knotted leaders, as well as other brands and those I make myself. I always use Orvis SS tippets (unless I am fishing flies that twist tippets, like fanwings, then I use Maxima).
Here are some Orvis leaders from the early 70’s. They are as good as new. I use leaders such as these but do cut the tippet off the knotless because the extrusion machines tended to leave lumps every six inches in the fine nylon. I haven’t bought a new leader in twelve years.
