The Itinerant Angler - Fly Fishing Without Reservations

Andrew Brod Small Fry Offline Posts: 5 Houston, TX	Furled Leaders 07/27/10 at 2:01am How many fisherman use them? Does anyone know the history behind them?
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Marc P.

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Posts: 35
Riverdale TN

Re: Furled Leaders
Reply #1 - 07/27/10 at 11:12am

Andrew, I don't know the history, but I use them. I use a 7ft. furled leader and tie the tippet on in whatever length is needed. I use Feather-Craft leaders. I have one that I have used hard for nearly 3 years now. The advantage of the Feather-Craft leaders is that they have a small ring at the end that makes adding tippet a breeze. when I'm done I just clip off the tippet, take the leader off the line and pack it away.

~marc~

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Dan Sweeney

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Posts: 22
Rogers, Arkansas

Re: Furled Leaders
Reply #2 - 07/27/10 at 8:17pm

I started using them this year. They are fantastic. I've previously tied leaders using barrel knots, and that works. But the furled leaders seem to be much more supple. Also, they pick up less junk. There is a fellow over on the fiberglass flyrodders' forum who makes excellent furled leaders. I'm sure someone here probably does as well.

The only disadvantage I have noticed is that they tend to hold a bit or water that can spray during false casting, though if you are careful and paying attention you can prevent this being a problem and spooking fish. All in all, I have been very pleased with mine thus far.

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Craig Phillips

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Posts: 106
Saint George, Kansas

Re: Furled Leaders
Reply #3 - 07/28/10 at 10:26pm

If you want to learn to make your own without a jig or tools visit our web page. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to

or

for a version of my American Angler article on the subject.

The YouTube video (also on the web page) is
Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to

or

If you happen to be going to the FFF National Expo in West Yellowstone, we'll be doing a workshop on this method on Friday.

Craig

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FlatsLander Guide Service&&St. George, KS&&Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to

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kelly glissmeyer

Small Fry

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Posts: 37
Rigby, Idaho

Re: Furled Leaders
Reply #4 - 07/29/10 at 1:01pm

Craig Phillips wrote on 07/28/10 at 10:26pm:

If you want to learn to make your own without a jig or tools visit our web page. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to

or

for a version of my American Angler article on the subject.

The YouTube video (also on the web page) is
Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to

or

If you happen to be going to the FFF National Expo in West Yellowstone, we'll be doing a workshop on this method on Friday.

Craig

Craig, I'm a strong advocate of your method of 'twisting' my own leaders. I've fished them in Alaska for silvers, and other species and would never be caught on any of my local Idaho waters without one. No jig, no formulas, just practical, easy-to-construct and very effective leaders.

Kelly.

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I fish, therefore I am...but I gotta go to work first.

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Dan Sweeney Small Fry Offline Posts: 22 Rogers, Arkansas	Re: Furled Leaders Reply #5 - 07/29/10 at 1:28pm Neat! I had not tried that before. I'm going to give it a go. Thanks for the tip!
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Craig Phillips Stocker Offline Posts: 106 Saint George, Kansas	Re: Furled Leaders Reply #6 - 07/29/10 at 9:41pm Thanks Kelly, glad they are working for you. Dan - where are you in Kansas? Don't be afraid to ask questions when your learning the method, either PM here or email from our web page. The first few can be a little challenging, but since they only cost a few pennies you can afford to toss a few that don't come out right. Craig
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Dan Sweeney

Small Fry

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Posts: 22
Rogers, Arkansas

Re: Furled Leaders
Reply #7 - 07/29/10 at 10:48pm

Craig,
I can't believe I missed you guys when I was there. I was in Manhattan for about 5 years. I just graduated and moved away in May. Guess I should update my profile. I did a LOT of flyfishing in the area. Spent many many hours catching bluegill and bass at Pot 1, lots of whites and hybrids in Milford, bluegill and bass at Geary State Lake, and assorted ponds in the area. Beautiful place. I really enjoyed my stay there. Lots of good fishing and hunting. I'll be back often I am sure both to visit friends and to fish/hunt. I may have to set up a carp trip with you all. They would really put a bend in my old South Bend 359.

Incidently, I just got back from trying your furled leader technique. I whipped up one this afternoon (took two tries). It's excellent. I really like it. I made a 5 ft butt and mid section of 6# mono and used 4# tippit. Caught a nice mess of bream on one of the lakes down here in southwest Oklahoma. It nicely turned over a #12 hare's ear. I like it a lot. It's almost as quick, and might be quicker with practice, than tying several barrel knots, and it's much smoother. Good technique.

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Craig Phillips

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Posts: 106
Saint George, Kansas

Re: Furled Leaders
Reply #8 - 07/30/10 at 8:23pm

After about a hundred, you'll be able to crank one out in about 3 minutes if you don't have anything grabbing at the tails. When we do programs on a nice clean tile floor, it almost takes longer to stretch the line (THE MOST CRITICAL PART) than it does to twist up a leader.

Go slow at first and work on developing a consistent technique so you don't have "bubbles". Like everything, there's a learning curve.

There is some great fishing around here. Drop us a line when you're back in the area if you're interested in a carp trip. Milford is still about 9 feet high, but dropping. Hopefully we'll be fishing again soon.

Craig

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