MNFisher, For just one of several opposing views refer to the February 2003 issue of Fly Fisherman Magazine, Page 16. I don’t claim to know the correct answer but since alternative materials are available I don’t see why not use them.
Lead is banned in Yellowstone, and Rocky Mountain National Park may ban it soon. Not a bad idea really – see [url=http://www.moea.state.mn.us/reduce/sinkers.cfm:8cc1d]http://www.moea.state.mn.us/reduce/sinkers.cfm[/url:8cc1d]
Any Park officer may be carrying a tiny, disposable swab kit that will turn color if lead is present, in about as much time as it takes to say 'citation."
I tie all lead-free flies now. But I still worry about mixing in a leaded fly from my older stash. I bought a new nymph and a new streamer box, and put only lead-free flies that I tied myself into them when I visit those parks.
DANBOB
MNfisher, I don’t doubt that what you say might be true for groundwater in your area. I have a friend who used to help run a range and they ended up having a problem with lead in surface runoff. They ended up shutting down because nobody (range people, gun club, state etc…) could figure out how to stop it. I try to go lead-free when I can. That’s awfully hard right now with micro jigs.
Ed
There must be a typo in one of the above postings. New York State bans the sale of lead sinkers and split shot of half ounce or LESS (not more). This ban includes catalog and internet sales.
no lead laws in Texas that I am aware of, at least not as regards fishing.
The waterfowl regs are in place for non-lead shot.
RRhyne56
[url=http://www.robinscustomleadersandflies.com:f3f00]http://www.robinscustomleadersandflies.com[/url:f3f00]
IM = robinrhyne@hotmail.com
Just as an FYI.
I was looking through my new Cabela’s Fly Fishing Catalog last night, and discovered that along with their spools of lead wire, they also have spools of lead free wire for about the same price. I just wonder how the two compare in denisty. . . .
Don
The primary issue is not groundwater but rather the lead ingested by birds. Once again, please refer to the February 2003 issue of Fly Fisherman Magazine, page 16, for some more information. I am reluctant to copy it and post it here for fear that might not be legal.
I’m not sure about the Cabela’s stuff but the lead free wire I have seen is much less dense than lead.
Jay
I believe that the lead free wire is about sixty per-cent the weight of lead. I haven’t checked it myself and can’t remember where I read it but the spools of lead free wire I have would seem to be consistant with that.
all leaders tangle; mine are just better at it than most. Jim
[This message has been edited by rainbowchaser (edited 05 January 2006).]
Nothing on the books in Jersey, but some county and town parks are stepping up and banning lead.
In my recent travels, I’ve also learned that the sale of lead was banned in Vermont as of a few days ago, and use of lead will be banned as of 1/1/07. I think I remember a lead ban in Acadia National Park, but not yet in the state of Maine. When I moved from Massachusetts a couple of years ago there was some noise about a lead ban, but nothing on the books yet…could be different now.
As for tying, I don’t see much lead for sale lately. How about you guys?
You cannot use lead in Glacier Nat’l. Park here in northern Montana.