My steelheading stopped about the time fluorocarbon came on the scene…but I have thought that for the way I fished for them fluorocarbon would be almost ideal…and Now I am a furled leader advocate.
Though I thought my steelheading days were over…my son has invited me to do some that even I may be able to handle…wading is no longer my forte:(.
So now I have some questions…
Do you like fluorocarbon for steelhead?
Do you like fluorocarbon furled leaders for steelhead?..or furled leaders of any type ?
I have noted some posts that are negative on furled leaders for steelheading…shale /sharp rocks /etc. ripping them…is it a real problem?
We may be using 10 to 15# tippet…what # test fluorocarbon would you use for a furled leader? …8 wt rods
If I use furled fluorocarbon leaders…I’m thinking 4# Vanish Transition…[probably because I have some]…in a 3.5-2.5-1.5 taper…[that may be too light?]…maybe start at 5.5…6 ft?..about a 3ft tippet
Anybody used Maxima fluorocarbon? We western folks have a love of Maxima for our steelhead…
I used a lot of Cabelas Fluoro tippet material for steel in northern California. Worked just fine. The heaviest I ever used on steel was 3x, and the lightest was usually 5x. Lots of 4x, roughly 6# test.
The only Maxima I have used in the past 25 years is for the butt sections I attach to the end of the fly line. There are, in my opinion, much smaller diameter and more supple alternatives for the strength of Maxima out there.
No experience with furled leaders for steelhead. Seems like that might be making it more complicated than it has to be.
I have never fished for steelhead on the West Coast. I fish for Great Lakes steelhead and I use fluorocarbon leaders and tippet all the time. I use Frog Hair - a sponsor here. I usually use 4-6# tippet. It depends on the water clarity and how shy the fish are.
I’ve never tried furled leaders and I’ve never seen or talked to anyone who uses them.
Like ridgeliner, never chased steel west of the mississippi, just GL.
Up there, fluoro is king. Its low visibility and abrasion resistance make it a great choice for leaders and a near-must for tippets.
I’ve used light mono furled leaders up there and never will again. Fished one for about 10 minutes, hooked up with a fish, and it dragged me over the sharp shale in the streambed before throwing the hook. When I brought my line in, my leader was about 40% a frayed mess. Not sure what your pacific coast riverbeds look like, but its something to keep in mind. Also not sure on furled fluoro. Never used it. Might solve the problem.
I almost exclusively use fluoro for steelhead. I don’t make furled leaders but have a friend that does and he keeps me supplied with them. They sink like a rock and get the flies down deep.
In fuled I use a 10-8-6 with 4 lb test and yes 10 pound floro carbon tippet is as light as I would go. I use furled leaders all the time for steelhead and they work good. Infact the guide I use now buys them from me for his clients he likes them so well. You are on the right track and just go with it and enjoy the trip. Oh yes we all were using 8 weight rods. flies sunk like rocks and laid out like no other. It was good times.
