Gathering of the Clan

I've been using furled leaders for about 5 years now and I cannot imagine going back to the multi-knotted tapered leaders that were the regular (and single) option for many decades.

I've been very pleased with those from both Blue Sky and from Clear Stream.
Each firm supplies uni-thread furled leaders in 6 ft lengths...but, make sure you get those made with the tiny ring built-in at the tip.
So much easier and time-saving to live with and the only stuff you add is the tippet (your call for the size and length of the tippet mat'l you add easily ... tied to the ring, with a simple clinch knot.
They roll cast and handle short and long casting easily.
Some have complained that they hold and spray water when casting in delicate situations...I haven't found that to be an issue...but I'm not all that persnickity either.

Bux

Also a big fan for dry fly fishing, though I do very little of that. They are very useful when fishing small VA stream for brookies.

I anticipate that after moving to San Antonio, I will have little use for them, as most of my fishing for trout will be on the Guadalupe River in the winter, which will be tiny midges fished deep.

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"Do not eat the meat raw or boiled in water, but roast it over a fire..." Exodus 12:9

I think they'll straighten out a cast better than a non-tapered leader, but I do think they spray a bit. I tend to curve a cast to the right for some reason and the furled leaders straighten this out.

Gene,
If you cast too "side-arm", you will be inclined to have your casts go awry regardless of what sort of a leader set-up you use. Ideally, the line and leader should gracefully extend, straightened out, just above the surface, and then settle gently as a feather. That may explain why your pal, Jim, catches more fish than you do.... aside from the fact that he never handles the oars.

Bux

As I've wandered away from trout towards larger piscatorial critters...I've strayed from tapered leaders as a general rule...bass, pike and musky are often attracted by a less than subtle landing, putting me in a place where I' often run a 3-4 ft. section of fluorocarbon to 18" of wire....with a snap on the end...

Seems to get 'er done...



I hope that doesn't get the purists in a tizzy. I like purists, and I don't want them to aswirl. I learn much from them and admire their dedication to preserving tradition.

I did make several of my own furled leaders for smallies when I'm fishing hoppers and other big terrestrials late summer and fall, and really liked them...but even my furled leaders lacked delicacy often being made from 8 lb. test and up.

Is that an alligator?

Squire,

You are looking at the reason that the males of the northern native American tribes never went "skinny-dipping." This is true, not a made up behavioral detail. Sociology includes many such interesting details

Bux

More than one WI resident calls 'em "gators".

...I'd offer that if they got as big as a real alligator, not much would be safe in the water.

FN: how do they taste?

Like chicken?

_________________
"Do not eat the meat raw or boiled in water, but roast it over a fire..." Exodus 12:9