Leader Length?

[hf]

Is a long leader essential for summer fishing and if so what would the minimum suggestible length be?

hf

[acw]

Jun 11, 2008 12:32:54 GMT hf said:

Is a long leader essential for summer fishing and if so what would the minimum suggestible length be?

hf

I guess you will be fishing the lower river with the association when it takes the couple of weeks ,myself would go 12-15 ft using a tapered leader with added tippet ,might even go longer but then my flyfishing gets me deep nymphing with 25+ft three fly leaders.
Willie Gunn is really your man for the Brora he had a week there for ages until the Madman got "attended to".I know at one stage he was fishing a silk line for more delicate presentation there !

BTW will be doing some fly dressing this weekend so the flys should be in the post monday

[conwyrod]

I'd go 12-15' in low water, and even think about using fluorocarbon with small flies, but probably not if fishing a dropper!

[Willie Gunn]

With the Brora as low as it is if you have leader greater than 6ft you will not have any line out.

[hornet]

I will generally make up an 11ft leader for the single hander when fishing the South and North Esk. No need for longer leaders. The Esks are pretty heavily tree lined and longer leaders tend to give you tangles etc.

I was out Sea Tout fishing last night on the North Esk and the water level was very low. 4inches or so on the gauge. Set up the single hander with an 11ft leader with a size 11 Silver Stoats on the point and a size 12 medicine on the dropper. Only pull i had was from parr on the medicine.

No fish showing in any of the main pools. Packed up about 01.30am and headed off.

The rivers are desperate for rain.

Cheers

Hornet

[hf]

Jun 11, 2008 19:10:59 GMT Willie Gunn said:

With the Brora as low as it is if you have leader greater than 6ft you will not have any line out.

WG

If I keep the leader length to about 6ft will the disturbance of the line on the water be a big problem unsettling the fish or is it one that should be manageable?

I have tried a long leader but as you say there can be very little line out making it difficult - for myself at least - to roll cast and get the fly to turn over especially in any kind of breeze.

Thanks to all the lads for your thoughts on this.

hf

[Willie Gunn]

If you have a good line you will be ok, anything like a windcutter/ skagit line and you will struggle.

[G Ritchie]

For low clear water, I would stick with a leader of about 15ft. Have you tried the single hander rather than the double hander, it can give you a lighter presentation.

[hf]

Jun 12, 2008 7:54:42 GMT Willie Gunn said:

If you have a good line you will be ok, anything like a windcutter/ skagit line and you will struggle.

WG... I'm using a Hardy's WF 9/10. I've just remembered that I also have a Hardy's Double Taper (11). Would that be preferable?

Thanks

hf

[hf]

Jun 12, 2008 8:16:58 GMT G Ritchie said:

For low clear water, I would stick with a leader of about 15ft. Have you tried the single hander rather than the double hander, it can give you a lighter presentation.

Graham... I haven't used a single hander. I started with the 13ft double hander (Daiwa) and have just continued to use that during the summer. Will keep in mind what you say though and will give it a shot as able.

hf

[Willie Gunn]

HF
In years gone by I used to use a 10ft 7 weight singlehander it coped with most fish, although there were one or two hairy moments, a 16lber from Rawlin springs to mind.

[salmonking]

I fished on tues evening,my set up was floating line alongside a 10ft clear floating polyleader and a mere 4 ft of 8lb fluro,and got a couple of results,with 3 ins on the guage,i think the poly tip produced a better turn over than say 14ft of fluro,,,got results anyhow.

[conwyrod]

Well done col, that's a great results in current conditions.

What was the successful flee?

[salmonking]

Cheers John,i was using a size 14 cascade,will be fishing pedwel
tmorrow using flies of similar size.

[annanangler]

Well done Col .....nice couple of fish

[hf]

Salmonking... well done on getting into the fish again.
(leader length noted)

hf