Furled Tapered Leaders

[jjtroutbum]

I picked up my first from Feather-Craft before a recent trip and I think I am a convert.

First thing is that little metal ring makes adding tippet a breeze, however I have never used so much tippet in my life but didn't have to buy another leader all week.

Then it is the smooth and powerful turn over and built in indicator a red section about six in. long built in at the butt section of the leader. It is awesome for nymphing up close however if I am drifting at distance I still used a small football indicator.

No memory like Dan said was ready from the git go. And Only one wind knot all week (in the leader) all week (this is actually amazing as anyone who has seen my casting can attest to) and it was easily removed and no left kink because it never clinched.

IMHO This is a great new discovery for me and I will be buying more as needed. Even tho I would recommend anyone using them to buy the bigger spools of tippet and have a smooth means of dispersing said tippet so that it is a quick change.

[TroutBum4wt]

I tried my new Feather-Craft furled 9 ft. leader this morning at Taney. It really worked nice and was smooth. I was casting like Lefty out there. I'm sold on the item and will buy additional ones for other reels. I was only out a couple of hours, starting at about 7:45 a.m., and caught one rainbow on a red-butt soft hackle and another on a parachute adams near the KOA area. I had no takes drifting a light-colored midge.

[catman]

I now have some coming (6 1/2 footers)so I'm going to give them a try. A gentelman in El Dorado, KS makes them. I got 4 of them for $25. I will let you know, everyone seems to like them that I've talked to, also seems there are several here that like them also.

[troutchaser]

I saw Sodie this weekend and he showed me how to furl mono leaders without a jig. It's fast and easy and cheap - just the way I like 'em! If you read the article in American Angler, you'll know what I mean when I say I saw the infamous "exploding leader wallet".

I plan to make my own with regular and camo mono to see if there's a difference. I'll let you know the results as soon as possible.

[Steve Smith]

Greg; Tim from Tim's fly shop and I have argued over furled leaders forever. In my opinion, it is not visability of the leader, but the depth difference between furled and mono that makes a difference in catch ratios. Especially in steady current, a non-furled leader will take a fly deeper than furled. If you are fishing a dry fly, this is not a factor because a furled leader can retain grease. And, in my opinion lays down a quieter cast on the water.

[WebFreeman]

...he showed me how to furl mono leaders without a jig. It's fast and easy and cheap...

I plan to make my own with regular and camo mono to see if there's a difference. I'll let you know the results as soon as possible.

Is it something you can show us? Maybe step-by-step like tying instructions?

[jdmidwest]

As far as I know, Orvis does not offer a furled leader. They have a braided leader which is a different material and construction than the furled leader. The braided material is a butt section, it has a mono terminal end. I make my own braided leaders from a material that I buy from Beartooth in Montana. It is not tapered like the Orvis ones but it gets the job done. It takes a shock that mono won't. It is more visible and I switch to mono in delicate presentation.

[Crippled Caddis]

Terry wrote:

<There was a guy at Conclave last year who had his jig there and was making them right there on the spot. I bought one of his and really liked it.>

Was it Jeff from Dorber? I saw him making furled leaders at Conclave the last time I attended a few years ago. So I know they sell them.

I also have a friend in Texas who makes and sells them as part of his small online business to support his own flyfishing habit so as a plug for him here's his website: <http://www.robinscustomleadersandflies.com>

The Hatches article finally got me off of dead-center and I picked out a board to make a jig yesterday and sanded it down and varnished it. If I get the time to get it finished today I wanta start trying out some concepts I've had lurking between my ears for some time now.

Thanks for posting the article. CC

[Greg]

That's interesting Steve.

Thanks,

Greg

[catman]

Got the furled tapered leaders today and did a little casting on the lake this afternoon, very nice. C.D. Crenshaw is his name and here's his number 316-323-4771 I don't know if I can do this, I make nothing and want nothing, just letting you know if you would like to try them. Nice guy.