wrote...
Both George Harvey and Vince Marinaro, IIRC, conducted experiments to
demonstrate that it doesn't matter if the fish "see" the leader.

They attached short pieces of very heavy leader to flies, and dropped
them into the water. Fish took them eagerly.

The reason for a fine leader is not that it's hard for the fish to
see, but that it is more flexible and thus less likely to produce
drag.

I am curious, did they mention anything about the "shadow" cast from
a piece of leader? IME there is a big difference when dry fly
fishing versus nymphing because the leader/tippet diffracts the
light in very clear waders and leaves a "shadow" when on the surface
that causes very difficult, educated trout to flee. I've never
encountered this type of behavior when nymphing, even when using far
heavier leaders/tippet, though. If so, do you know the name of the
book or article so that I can read it?
--
Warren
(use troutbum_mt on either yahoo or earthlink to respond via email)