Fly Fouling On Leader

[flytyer57]

I've been having a problem lately where my leader tippet is getting fouled up on my woolybugger tails. Does anyone know what causes this and possibly have a solution?

[Rocky]

I believe your tippet or leader size is too small for the size of fly and the fly is dropping down on the cast and getting tangled with the line. For instance, this would occur if you used a 6x tippet with size 8 fly. Try using a larger tippet size and see if the tippet "rolls" out the fly better.

[Wheatenheimer]

When throwing a heavy fly, like a weighted Wooley, try opening your loop up a bit. Slow down and don't try to throw such a tight loop. Just a thought!

[flytyer57]

Good advice I will have to take into consideration.

I've been using size 8 buggers with 5X tippet. I've thought about going up to 4X but I'm not sure if the fish will be turned off by that size tippet or not. I can't afford flouro right now.

One thing that I have done is clipped the tails a little shorter. Not sure if this is the cause or not, but I do get less fouling that way (maybe.)

I finished the day today with a size 10 bugger on that same 5X and the fly didn't foul up once. Of course it had a smaller bead head too.

I'm definitely going to try your suggestions tho.

[Rolan Duffield]

Is your fly line and leader bunching up on the water when you make a forward cast rather than laying out straight? If so, I would expect that you're not completing your back cast before shooting the line forward. Thats because there's not enough line energy to complete the cast.You should feel a slight pull from the line in the back cast before starting the line forward.

Sometimes beginners try to pick up too much line from the water to make a cast. You can never recover the cast in this condition. Shorten the line up before attempting to make the cast.

Using an untapered long leader can also contribute to this type problem.

The line size should not contribute to the problem.

Rolan

[Danoinark]

Another possibility, however slight, is that your fly is twisting the tippet on retrieve possibly causing the fly to catch the tail of the bug when you begin to lift it from the water . One solution to that would be to use a Duncan loop. See the following link. It allows the streamer or even nymphs, bass bugs, etc to swim "free"

When a fish takes the hook, it pulls the loop closed at the eye. A great knot for big meatier flys.

Dano

http://killroys.com/knots/duncan-loop-or-uni-knot/

[flytyer57]

Another possibility, however slight, is that your fly is twisting the tippet on retrieve possibly causing the fly to catch the tail of the bug when you begin to lift it from the water . One solution to that would be to use a Duncan loop. See the following link. It allows the streamer or even nymphs, bass bugs, etc to swim "free"

When a fish takes the hook, it pulls the loop closed at the eye. A great knot for big meatier flys.

Dano

http://killroys.com/knots/duncan-loop-or-uni-knot/

This makes a lot of sense since my tippet is constantly twisted. Every few casts I check my fly and sure enough, the fly dangles there spinning like a carnival ride.

[flytyer57]

Is your fly line and leader bunching up on the water when you make a forward cast rather than laying out straight? If so, I would expect that you're not completing your back cast before shooting the line forward. Thats because there's not enough line energy to complete the cast.You should feel a slight pull from the line in the back cast before starting the line forward.

Sometimes beginners try to pick up too much line from the water to make a cast. You can never recover the cast in this condition. Shorten the line up before attempting to make the cast.

Using an untapered long leader can also contribute to this type problem.

The line size should not contribute to the problem.

Rolan

This usually only happens when the wind messes up my back cast, which was almost every cast yesterday with winds gusting to 18 mph.

I will check my fly after a lousy cast from now on and see if this might be the problem.

[jdmidwest]

How big are the hackles on your wollie? Longer hackles will catch more wind and water and twist the line. You could try a reverse palmer and tie the hackle different or use a smaller hackle.

[flytyer57]

How big are the hackles on your wollie? Longer hackles will catch more wind and water and twist the line. You could try a reverse palmer and tie the hackle different or use a smaller hackle.

I try to keep the hackles no longer than the gap of the hook.