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When do I need a new leader or leader tippet?
A word about shock tippets...
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Leader Materials
There are a variety of materials used in the construction of leaders and tippets. Their selection and use are dependent upon the fundamental issue: “What am I fishing for today?” And, more pointedly, “What size flies am I going to be casting?” The materials and their attributes are described below:
Monofilament is the predominant material used in leaders. It is also the
primary material used for adding tippets to existing leaders to lengthen
and/or “step down” in
Fluorocarbon is one of those “landmark” advances in fishing technology. While avoiding delving into the science of “refractive index”, suffice to say that fluorocarbon ("PVDF" - polyvinylidenfluoride), unlike monofilament, does not reflect light as much and is thus harder to see in the water. This gives an advantage to the fly fisher. Full length tapered leaders and tippet spools are available in a wide variety of fluorocarbon. While their cost at the present is often double that of monofilament, the distinct advantage they provide may be worth the investment for the serious fly fisher. Perhaps the most common, and cost effective, approach is to use a tapered
monofilament leader and affix a tippet of fluorocarbon. Use of a
“Surgeon’s Knot” to connect the two diverse
materials provides a more secure connection than a
“Blood Knot.”
Braided leaders are made of thin monofilament strands wound around a hollow core. They are normally tapered by leaving out more and more threads towards the tip. They are generally more expensive than standard mono leaders, but provide a more supple presentation and higher knot resistance. Furled leaders are handmade by twisting and looping monofilament around itself, creating a solid, but multistrand, tapered leader. They have no hollow core like a braided leader and pick up off the water without bringing any along. They are known for their strength, turnover power and delicacy of presentation. And higher cost. Most of these products are of excellent quality, and until you have had the chance to determine your own preferences, you needn't be overly concerned with the selection of one manufacturer's product over another. However, consideration should be given to the anticipated use of the material, as some types serve better for certain applications than others. Let's examine what materials are available and their general characteristics. |
diameter. “Mono” comes in the broadest range of
diameters and in a variety of degree of “hardness.” While no standards
exist for rating the suppleness of the material, generally speaking
monofilament is described as “hard” and “soft” (and varying degrees in
between.) Basically, “hard mono” is preferred for the butt (upper)
sections of leaders as it provides the “stiffness” and support required to
transmit energy smoothly from the fly line. “Soft mono” affords the
flexibility desirable for natural presentation of generally smaller flies.
The many manufacturers of monofilament provide description of their
respective products as to this characteristic. The relationship between
diameter, “pound test” (i.e., breaking strength) and suppleness is unique to
each product.
