i recently was watching a fly fishing show on t.v and they were using a weighted leader, apparently the leader is weighted and no shot is needed. Has anyone ever used these? i know its off subject but wasn't sure were to post this question.
the leaders were dark. I dont like using shot, So I thought this would be a good alternative, After all it only takes one mistake with shot on to break your rod.
Every once inn awhile we all make a bad cast right ? If that shot happens to come back and hit your rod it easily can break it. Over time striking your rod with a shot or beadhead takes it's toll.
Captain, The weighted leader that you are speaking of can be used as a sink tip line. It's convenient, because it's detachable. However, they are usually not very long (most I've seen are about 5 feet long), so you can't get very deep with them. They seem to work well in lakes when trolling or stripping streamers. I'd imagine they would work work for swinging flies as well.
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They make them in 5-10ft and in types 3,6,8. They are not particularly popular among locals, as they are essentially a sink tip. They attach directly to the fly line and are not a good call for indicator fishing. They're best for (as JT said) swinging and streamers. Personally I am not a bi fan of them, though they do have there uses
Many fish are 'allergic' to big leaders - how close to the flies would these end? Would you use a long tippet section? In clear water, I can see a big dark leader being problematic.
Also - has anyone used 'sinkant' - much like flotant, but the otherway around? You can apply it to your tippet and it does a decent job of letting it sink. That's only really good for hand-retrieving nymphs though... wouldn't get your flies down in fast moving water.
I've used that sinkant stuff with dry/dropper rigs. I put it on the tippet to make it sink quicker. Otherwise I have to wait for the fly to pull it down.
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"Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught."