Furled Leaders

[mirvc17]

Having never tried furled leaders, I decided to finally try them out.  I checked out cutthroatfurledleaders.com and they convinced me to take the plunge.  I ordered a dry fly leader and a nymph leader (both with tippet rings which I'm a big fan of).  Both seem well made and I'm anxious to try them (maybe tomorrow).  I've heard briefly from others that made the switch and never looked back.  What are your experiences with furled leaders?

[flyfishermann1955]

I made the switch about 4 years ago and haven't looked back.  I order mine from Feather-Craft.  They come in different lengths and for different weight fly lines.  It's easy to just tie a piece of tippet to the ring.  I have also seen step-by-step instructions for making them if you want to try that option.

Thanks- Ken

[dannys]

Ditto-been using them for several years and definitely prefer them with the tippet ring.

[frreed]

I use furled leaders for saltwater fishing. They work really well for casting heavy flies and dealing with the wind. I have never used them for trout, but this thread (no pun intended) spiked my interest. I did have a furled leader that I used for warmwater (pond and river) that I really never liked. For trout they would probably work well. They are very soft and have a gentle turn over. I think the best application would be for dries and emergers. I tend to fish soft hackles quite a bit so they might be the ticket.

As for the price, I have used the same furled leader for about 5 years on my saltwater lines. That is fishing over oyster shell and harsher conditions than most coldwater fishing and they show no wear at all.

[slim]

Mirv,
I tried one his summer and it worked okay with dries, but not so well with streamers that spin under water.
I got terrible knots in the leader using streamers.
I used Orvis leaders that were retailed at $20 but I got them very cheap on sale. I typically fish streamers
so I will not use them much.
slim

[jonbo]

I tried one also from cutthroatfurledleaders.com (actually it was a reseller who sold it for $1 cheaper. I'm guessing cutthroatfurledleaders.com agreed not to undersell the reseller, but it was one of their's.) It casted beautifully, but I was fishing some kind of skinny water. Pretty soon I noticed the fish were getting spooked by my furled leader. As soon as it hit the surface fish would scatter. I put it away and haven't used it since. I was probably doing something wrong, but now I don't trust it.

[slim]

I have two more of these leaders to use and I will only use them fishing dries.
The leader pack even comes with extra tippets. But at $20 a pack I can see whey they didn't sell.
I got them for about $3 each in Idaho this summer.
But they are forgiving on hook sets because they stretch a little which I like.
slim

[Fenwick]

Guys, not being familiar with the use of furled leaders I googled around to get a better idea. I got mixed info. I was wondering if you might include a link or two to the sort of furled leader one would most likely use on the LMF and how it is set up with tippet and fly, etc? Very curious.

Thanks,
Fenwick

[slim]

Fen,
Ken can probably help you out.
Flyfishermann1995 posted above.
He is very experienced.

[dannys]

Fenwick, I sent you a PM regarding the leaders.

[brandon]

WOULD LIKE TO SEE A LITTLE MORE ON THIS AS WELL.....THANKS.

[dannys]

If there is one thing I have found regarding furled leaders, it is that folks either like them or they don't. I can't remember ever coming across someone who is "middle of the road."

Aaron or Eddie: Do you sell furled leaders at the fly shop?

Pending the response to the above, I prefer not to advertise for another maker/seller on the open forum. I feel that might not be fair to Eddie if he sells them.

But I will provide the following regarding my typical set up. I use mostly fiberglass rods from different decades, or bamboo of older proven tapers. With the rods I use, the below set up works pretty well. Might want to experiment with varied lengths to determine what turns over best for you.

My typical set up is:

about 2-4" of green Amnesia with the terminal end tied in a Perfection Loop knot. The green Amnesia, if greased well, can act as an indicator. If you use a fly line with welded loop on the terminal end, you should not need the amnesia.

Loop to loop connection for the furled leader to the Amnesia. I try to go with 4 or 5 ft. 5-6wt furled leaders because I like to lengthen the rig myself using 3 or 4X tippet. I prefer furled leaders with tippet rings attached to the terminal end. Most furled leaders are also available with a Shorb end rather than a tippet ring; it's all about a personal preference.

Then I add bout 2-3 feet of 3X or 4X tied to the tippet ring of the furled leader; then I tie in another tippet ring to the terminal end of the 3 or 4X. I like 3X if I am going to use larger flies like a bugger or large soft hackle. 4X for typical tailwater flies 14 and smaller.

Then I tie about 4-5 feet of 4X (for larger flies) or 5X or 6X (for smaller flies) to the tippet ring at the end of the 3X or 4X. So all added up, I usually end up with about a 9 foot leader.

You would need to experiment with the tippet size and length that would cast best with your line and rod. I typically fish fiberglass and have pretty much a standard set up that I use. You may find you need that "one-step" taper after the last tippet ring. In that case, I sometimes go with 5X and then a triple surgeon's knot to connect the 6X to the 5X.

I'm sure others have input here too.  Hopefully with all the varied inputs everyone will have enough info to determine if they want to try a furled leader.  My primary "like" about them is that they last quite some time if you take care of them.

Hope that helps!

[stephenl]

I've been using them for several years now, and that's all I use. I also make my own, which is more economical
than buying tapered leaders.