"riverman" wrote in message
...

I'm tuning up my 8-wt for a trip, and tying on new 15-lb leader. But
as carefully as I am with tying my nail knot, the sheath of the fly
line keeps tearing loose and stripping the leader off.

Consider attaching a permanent leader butt of mono of 2/3 the
diameter of the line tip.. I still use Maxima for this purpose,
about 0.025 inch diam. which is fairly stiff (desirable) but
flexible enough to make a secure nail not. (Finer mono, e.g.
15 lb. BS or 0.015" diam. is likelier to cut into the line
coating.)

Experiments may show how long a permanent leader butt
suits your personal casting style. Mine are about 30" long.

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)