Uni-Leaders

"Mike Connor" wrote

The modifications are quite simple as well. I use a needle knotted butt
section directly on my line, if necessary with two or more sections, to
obtain the diameter and taper I require, as the knotless leader butt
sections are usually of too small a diameter. I use a leader ring at the
end of the knotless leader, as I can then change tippet, or droppers etc
etc, with no fuss and bother, without shortening or otherwise damaging the
leader, and very quickly, and without wasting nylon. This is also much
more
flexible in use than knotted leaders.


Mike, a couple questions/ comments

I'm currently using mainly a section or two of maxima, as butt, tied to a
tapered leader with it's butt removed ... I like stiffer butts than what I
find on tapered leaders ... this sounds very much like your, " if necessary
with two or more sections, to
obtain the diameter and taper I require, as the knotless leader butt
sections are usually of too small a diameter" ... is it" or am I reading
your post incorrectly? If correct, then you are really using a kind of
1/2 hand tied leader, like myself, right?

Second ... the phrase "leader ring" is entirely new to me ..... what is this
in American english ? g

In the previous, much diverted, loop thread I said I use loops, and I do not
out of loopophilia, rather ... mainly because its the BUTT not the tippet
that I feel the need to change to match different techniques and conditions.
Again this sounds much like your, "With three knotless tapered leaders in
different configurations, suitably modified, I can use practically any
standard technique, and a few more besides " Are these three mainly BUTT
differences? and you are nail knotting the correct one on as you change
conditions/ techniques even if they change several times a day ?

"George Cleveland" wrote in message
...
SNIP
Mike, by "O.K." do you mean as good as or better than knotless
leaders? If they are only as good as knotless ones I won't bother
expending the effort to whip some up.

g.c.

Not only cheap, but lazy too.




OK since you asked. In my opinion they are nowhere near as good or as
convenient as good knotless tapered leaders. Given the choice, I would go
for knotless leaders every time. I have a couple of mods for knotless
leaders which make them far more useful to me. They also last me a lot
longer, so the initial cost is not really a factor.

Over the years, I have tried hundreds of things, some work alright, some are
well nigh useless. In many cases, even trying them was really a waste of
time, but I learned a lot as a result.

I no longer bother experimenting much with leaders at all, as I can do
everything I want with the modified knotless leaders.

The modifications are quite simple as well. I use a needle knotted butt
section directly on my line, if necessary with two or more sections, to
obtain the diameter and taper I require, as the knotless leader butt
sections are usually of too small a diameter. I use a leader ring at the
end of the knotless leader, as I can then change tippet, or droppers etc
etc, with no fuss and bother, without shortening or otherwise damaging the
leader, and very quickly, and without wasting nylon. This is also much more
flexible in use than knotted leaders.

Often, such a leader will last me a whole season, ( even when I fished a
great deal). I merely change the tippet, droppers etc as required. With
three knotless tapered leaders in different configurations, suitably
modified, I can use practically any standard technique, and a few more
besides. I usually carry spares as well of course. But a total of six new
knotless tapers would normally last me a whole season, and often a lot
longer.

Nylon deteriorates, but the weakest point in a leader is always the tippet,
and I change this regularly.

The function is what I require, all the rest may be nice, ( or not!), but
usually superfluous.

TL
MC

On Thu, 21 Oct 2004 21:10:02 +0200, "Mike Connor"
wrote:


"George Cleveland" wrote in message
.. .
http://www.flyfisherman.com/skills/jbleaders/

The above link (from the list that Mike posted in the "Dead
Drift"thread) refers to Gary Borger's Uni-Leader designs. Has anyone
ever tied some up and tried them? The design appeals to me because its
simple (and even more importantly) it would cost me nothing because I
already have the right leader material!

g.c.

Not that I'm cheap or anything...

g.c.

O.K. I *am* cheap.



Yeah, they work OK. If you use some other brands of nylon ( instead of
maxima), you have to change some dimensions, but these are rarely very
critical.

TL
MC

Mike, by "O.K." do you mean as good as or better than knotless
leaders? If they are only as good as knotless ones I won't bother
expending the effort to whip some up.

g.c.

Not only cheap, but lazy too.

George Cleveland wrote:
http://www.flyfisherman.com/skills/jbleaders/

The above link (from the list that Mike posted in the "Dead
Drift"thread) refers to Gary Borger's Uni-Leader designs. Has anyone
ever tied some up and tried them?

Yes. Personally, I prefer hand tied leaders when fishing clear water.
That Uni-Body design is especially good when a delicate presentation
isn't necessary. I still think any leaders with knots is a royal PITA
when fishing weeded areas. I have one of the few remaining Ernie
Harrison's Blood Knot Machines that make tying them a snap. I'm not sure
if he has any left, but I'd recommend grabbing one or two if he does.

The design appeals to me because its
simple (and even more importantly) it would cost me nothing because I
already have the right leader material!

g.c.

Not that I'm cheap or anything...
O.K. I *am* cheap.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.
--
TL,
Tim
------------------------
http://css.sbcma.com/timj

"Tim J." wrote

when fishing weeded areas. I have one of the few remaining Ernie
Harrison's Blood Knot Machines that make tying them a snap. I'm not sure
if he has any left, but I'd recommend grabbing one or two if he does.


I can't tie a blood knot worth a damn ... but prefer homebuilt leaders ( I'd
throw in the same exception, weedy waters ) ... where do I look for Mr
Harrison and one of his machines ?

Larry L wrote:
"Tim J." wrote

when fishing weeded areas. I have one of the few remaining Ernie
Harrison's Blood Knot Machines that make tying them a snap. I'm not
sure if he has any left, but I'd recommend grabbing one or two if he
does.

I can't tie a blood knot worth a damn ... but prefer homebuilt
leaders ( I'd throw in the same exception, weedy waters ) ... where
do I look for Mr Harrison and one of his machines ?

I sent you an email with his info. The machine is pretty ingenious and
simple (I like that part), but the die he used to make the plastic parts
died (pun intended) and he only had a few laying around when I bought
mine a while ago. Good luck.
--
TL,
Tim
------------------------
http://css.sbcma.com/timj

"Tim J." wrote in message
...
SNIP
I sent you an email with his info. The machine is pretty ingenious and
simple (I like that part), but the die he used to make the plastic parts
died (pun intended) and he only had a few laying around when I bought
mine a while ago. Good luck.
--
TL,
Tim
------------------------
http://css.sbcma.com/timj



Ernie´s machine is very good if you want to make leaders at home. It is also
good for "production tying" of modified leaders. I did a review of it a
long time ago. It is a great machine.

TL
MC

"Tim J." wrote in message
...
SNIP
I sent you an email with his info. The machine is pretty ingenious and
simple (I like that part), but the die he used to make the plastic parts
died (pun intended) and he only had a few laying around when I bought
mine a while ago. Good luck.
--
TL,
Tim
------------------------
http://css.sbcma.com/timj



Ernie´s machine is very good if you want to make leaders at home. It is also
good for "production tying" of modified leaders. I did a review of it a
long time ago. It is a great machine.

TL
MC

Larry L wrote:
"Tim J." wrote

when fishing weeded areas. I have one of the few remaining Ernie
Harrison's Blood Knot Machines that make tying them a snap. I'm not
sure if he has any left, but I'd recommend grabbing one or two if he
does.

I can't tie a blood knot worth a damn ... but prefer homebuilt
leaders ( I'd throw in the same exception, weedy waters ) ... where
do I look for Mr Harrison and one of his machines ?

I sent you an email with his info. The machine is pretty ingenious and
simple (I like that part), but the die he used to make the plastic parts
died (pun intended) and he only had a few laying around when I bought
mine a while ago. Good luck.
--
TL,
Tim
------------------------
http://css.sbcma.com/timj

Larry L wrote:
"Tim J." wrote

when fishing weeded areas. I have one of the few remaining Ernie
Harrison's Blood Knot Machines that make tying them a snap. I'm not
sure if he has any left, but I'd recommend grabbing one or two if he
does.

I can't tie a blood knot worth a damn ... but prefer homebuilt
leaders ( I'd throw in the same exception, weedy waters ) ... where
do I look for Mr Harrison and one of his machines ?

I sent you an email with his info. The machine is pretty ingenious and
simple (I like that part), but the die he used to make the plastic parts
died (pun intended) and he only had a few laying around when I bought
mine a while ago. Good luck.
--
TL,
Tim
------------------------
http://css.sbcma.com/timj