"Poly leaders" are handy...........

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Rio and Airflo make special sinking leaders that come in different lengths and sink-rates now.

They usually come in 5, 10 and 15 foot lengths with a welded loop on one end and a short mono butt section on the other.

The come in floating, clear slow sinking and then several faster sink rates.

They are very popular with the two-handed fly fishers but anyone can take advantage of their usefulness.

For single handed Steelheading with a full floating line you could get a couple 10' sinking leaders. One in 10' type 3 and another in 10' type 6 sink-rate for getting you fly down.

Most of them have a short mono butt section so you could just loop on 2-3 feet of 2x fluorocarbon tippet and tie on your fly.

Many are using these for trout fishing as well.

Naturally, we have a large selection of these at the shop.

Anyone here using them?

[Adam Grace]

I've been using them for years now. They are a great help when you need to go deeper and they cast really well. Some guys use only a floating line and then simply attach one of those poly leaders so they can cut through the faster surface layer. I recommend trying them out.

[SHigSpeed]

I have a full set of 5' leaders that I've been using on lakes, mostly to match the sink rate of my main line.

Question: Since the sinking leaders are colored (grey), and I no longer have a 7' or 9' clear leader, do I need to tie on a 10' tippet beyond the poly leader to prevent spookage?

_SHig

[jblack]

I used only about 5-6 feet of tippet/leader when we went out a few weeks ago. No Heenan? Jarrett

[SHigSpeed]

I used only about 5-6 feet of tippet/leader when we went out a few weeks ago. No Heenan? Jarrett

Kid's sick... :(

Yeah, that's what I've used as well, but wondering if it helps to go longer.

Funny thing is that the line itself (SA Type I) is a grass green so if that doesn't spook them stripping through their zone, not sure what could.

Of course catching planters is different from catching more "experienced" fish.

_SHig

[Darian]

If you're adding 10' of tippet to your poly leader because it may be visible to the fish, why not just add a 10' flouro/mono leader to your fly line :question: :confused: You might be over thinking this....:-| :-|

[SHigSpeed]

Nah, the poly leader is there to either sink the tip of the floating line and/or to help turn over the tippet and fly.

There is a difference between a 9' tapered (mono or fluoro) leader plus 3' of tippet vs. a 5' poly leader (sink) plus a 7' tippet with regards to lining a fish or not...

_SHig

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Most are using sinking 'Poly' leaders on the end of floating lines for swinging wet flies for trout and Steelhead.

Kind of like a quicky sink-tip.

I am sure there will be some other applications.

[Darian]

So Shig,.... What's the difference between a visible poly leader and visible sink tip :question: :question: Either one will take your line/fly down....8) Seems to me that 10' of level tippet material (mentioned in your original post) probably isn't going to turn a fly over better than a tapered leader with a shorter tippet, regardless of what's its attached to. :confused:

Also, I'm not convinced that, "There is a difference between a 9' tapered (mono or fluoro) leader plus 3' of tippet vs. a 5' poly leader (sink) plus a 7' tippet with regards to lining a fish or not..."

To each his own. :fish2:

[SHigSpeed]

So Shig,.... What's the difference between a visible poly leader and visible sink tip :question: :question: Either one will take your line/fly down....8) Seems to me that 10' of level tippet material (mentioned in your original post) probably isn't going to turn a fly over better than a tapered leader with a shorter tippet, regardless of what's its attached to. :confused:

Also, I'm not convinced that, "There is a difference between a 9' tapered (mono or fluoro) leader plus 3' of tippet vs. a 5' poly leader (sink) plus a 7' tippet with regards to lining a fish or not..."

To each his own. :fish2:

I guess I'm confused as well. Are you saying that in a lake situation when casting a sinking line, it's of no advantage to use a sinking poly leader (matched to your line type)?

I've heard it suggested that when chironomid or deep nymphing you use a floating poly leader, indicator, long leader. Why this poly leader?

I'm still trying to get a feel for all this...

Too many toys!

_SHig

[Darian]

Hmmm,.... Guess I wasn't clear in trying to explain this. let's say that In considering the way it looks to a fish a visible, sinking poly leader would appear the same as a sink-tip or sinking line in the water. Therefore, IMHO, adding a lengthy (10' as you originally suggested) level tippet to a poly leader might be seen as the same as adding the same length of tippet to a sink-tip fly line. So, it seems to me that fish could be lined using either set-up.

Whether using a poly leader or flouro/mono leader the problem is the same, trying to avoid lining fish. In my experience (which doesn't include using poly leaders, BTW) the potential for lining fish at depth isn't a great concern. Admittedly, I do not fish Chironomids or very tiny flies as a rule (can't see 'em to tie 'em on :roll:).

So,.... as I said before, to each his own.... Hope I didn't make this any more confusing than I have already.... :-k

[Adam Grace]

SHig, I could only guess that the clear floating poly leader will stay afloat and not sink like many mono leaders that eventually absorb water and start to sink possibly ruining the presentation....that's just a guess.

Darian, lay off this guy. What got you so confrontational about his subject !?!

[SHigSpeed]

Don't sweat it. I'm a newbie, I expect this. Besides, I don't think Darian is being overly confrontational.

I'm sure it won't be the first time I find my foot (flipper?) in my mouth!

Please continue to discuss the benefits of poly leaders from float to depth charge! I bought 'em, I'd like to use them to their greatest potential.

_SHig

[speyfool]

I'm coming from the standpoint of river fishing, not lake. So take it for what it's worth (not much!! ). :)

If you have a sinking poly leader or a sink tip for that matter, putting 10 feet of level line/tippet is probably not the best idea. The polyleader or tip is going to sink further/faster than the tippet (unless the fly is heavily weighted), causing a belly. In river situations, I would stick to a short (up to 4') of level mono or flouro.


Whether to attach a sinking polyleader onto a sinktip... I wouldn't bother unless the line/leader combo performs better in that situation. For instance, those RIO AFS spey lines work great with poly leaders. They compliment each other. However, my personal experience has been a floating line with a sinking poly leader (then 3' of level mono).

my 2 cents.

[Darian]

Adam,.... You seem to be overreacting to my attempt to expand/explain a point I made early on (....maybe not well) in this thread. The nature of it was intended to be casual and not offensive. I'm not sure an exchange of ideas is ever confrontational. It certainly adds to learning.

If Shig was offended, I'm sure he could speak for himself. :)

Ya know, it's difficult enough to ask or answer a question in a written format on a BB without having it misunderstood. I shouldn't have to explain this to a current college student but communication takes time and maybe several attempts to complete. So, I'm sorry if it offends you that I have differing ideas about this than you would approve of. :rolleyes:

You need to lighten up.... :cool: