. How can I un-coil it? or is this not normal and should just get a new one? It's supposed to be 9ft long but its so coiled it only streches out about half that, and looks impossible to cast with. Normally with regular fishing line I'd just get new line. I'm also going to try and make it out to the OFS meeting next week as I'm finding out that I'm clueless when it come to fly fishing.Tapered Leader Question
Tapered Leader Question
Hi this is my 1st season fly fishing and just picked up my 1st tapered leader and when i took it out of the package it is coiled up like a pubic hair . How can I un-coil it? or is this not normal and should just get a new one? It's supposed to be 9ft long but its so coiled it only streches out about half that, and looks impossible to cast with. Normally with regular fishing line I'd just get new line. I'm also going to try and make it out to the OFS meeting next week as I'm finding out that I'm clueless when it come to fly fishing.
. How can I un-coil it? or is this not normal and should just get a new one? It's supposed to be 9ft long but its so coiled it only streches out about half that, and looks impossible to cast with. Normally with regular fishing line I'd just get new line. I'm also going to try and make it out to the OFS meeting next week as I'm finding out that I'm clueless when it come to fly fishing.Hi Marc,
Welcome to the Dark Side.
Leaders are usually coiled like a garden hose in the package and the material has memory. I usually begin at the thickest end and uncoil it carefully in order to avoid unwanted knots. Nowadays, leaders have a loop at the thick end to make it easier to attach to the fly line which also has a loop connector.
To straighten the leader, run it between your thumb and finger a few times. The heat and friction with make it straight enough to use. You can also buy a line straightener which is a couple of pieces of a plastic material through which you run the leader.
In order to keep the leader for a longer time we attach about 18" of tippet material to the thinnest end of the leader. The fly itself is attached to the end of the tippet. It's cheaper to keep trimming off tippet each time you change flies than it is to trim off leader.
If you come out to the next OFS meeting on Tuesday, I can chat with you a little more in person on the subject.
I hope this helps.
Welcome to the Dark Side.
Leaders are usually coiled like a garden hose in the package and the material has memory. I usually begin at the thickest end and uncoil it carefully in order to avoid unwanted knots. Nowadays, leaders have a loop at the thick end to make it easier to attach to the fly line which also has a loop connector.
To straighten the leader, run it between your thumb and finger a few times. The heat and friction with make it straight enough to use. You can also buy a line straightener which is a couple of pieces of a plastic material through which you run the leader.
In order to keep the leader for a longer time we attach about 18" of tippet material to the thinnest end of the leader. The fly itself is attached to the end of the tippet. It's cheaper to keep trimming off tippet each time you change flies than it is to trim off leader.
If you come out to the next OFS meeting on Tuesday, I can chat with you a little more in person on the subject.
I hope this helps.
Ahhhh...another convert! 
marc,
You'll definitely need more than one leader.
1. What size of leader did you pick up? (i.e. 3x, 4x, etc)
2. What type of flies are you going to be using? This is important as the size of your fly dictates the size of leader/tippet you need to use. 3x is a good average choice but it will not turn over larger flies.
Having a 0x, 3x and 5x will cover your bases. You can add smaller tippet material to them if needed. (i.e. 2x tippet on the 0x leader, etc) Now with the exception of trout fishing I personally like to use the 7' leaders and add additional tippet.
If you're targeting bass you can get away with say 5' of 8lb mono if you're fishing wet flies or streamers.
See you at the OFS meeting if you make it out.
Cheers,
Todd
marc,
You'll definitely need more than one leader.
1. What size of leader did you pick up? (i.e. 3x, 4x, etc)
2. What type of flies are you going to be using? This is important as the size of your fly dictates the size of leader/tippet you need to use. 3x is a good average choice but it will not turn over larger flies.
Having a 0x, 3x and 5x will cover your bases. You can add smaller tippet material to them if needed. (i.e. 2x tippet on the 0x leader, etc) Now with the exception of trout fishing I personally like to use the 7' leaders and add additional tippet.
If you're targeting bass you can get away with say 5' of 8lb mono if you're fishing wet flies or streamers.
See you at the OFS meeting if you make it out.
Cheers,
Todd
marc,
If you're prefer to tie your own leaders I would recommend downloading the LeaderCalc software. It provides over 50 leader formulas.
Todd
If you're prefer to tie your own leaders I would recommend downloading the LeaderCalc software. It provides over 50 leader formulas.
Todd