By Shannon Messer
Roughly three years ago, I won a furled leader at our local Trout Unlimited chapter meeting, and I wondered what I would do with this. I started asking myself a few questions, such as, “Will this furled leader float?” “Will it spook the wary trout in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park?” “Will it cast decently?” I discovered answers to all of these questions while fishing the awesome waters of Noland Creek in the GSMNP.
I had fished Noland Creek one week prior and used my knotless tapered leader, as most of us do. I had a great day catching many nice rainbows on my number 12 Fore an After patterns. I never thought about using the furled leader and to be honest, I did not know how to use the thing. After a bit of research, I decided I was going to use the furled leader all day, no matter what happened.
I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised, or better yet…I am hooked for life! For starters, the furled leader has no memory, unlike the tapered leaders that I normally use. (No memory means no loops left in the leader.) Trying to stretch out the nylon and/or fluorocarbon leader is quite a chore and really never happens.
Secondly, the furled leaders cast like a dream, allowing for delicate presentations of dry flies to wary mountain trout. All of the energy generated in the casting stroke truly makes its way thru the furled leader, allowing for great casts that are effortless. I found myself catching multiple trout out of pools I normally struggle getting a good presentation in, most days.
Furled leaders either have a tippet ring or shorb loop. This allows for quick and easy tippet changes. Quicker tippet changes equal more time fishing and less time rigging.
Furled leaders do cost a bit more in the beginning, but the value over time justifies the cost. You actually end up saving money in the long run. Furled leaders can, and will, last an entire season versus that of the standard nylon or fluorocarbon leader. You will need to apply floatant to the furled leader, but I found mine floated all day with no problems using just one coating.
I had considered myself an above average fly fisherman, especially when it comes to catching fish in the Great Smoky Mountains Nation Park. After using the furled leader, not only did I feel more confident than ever, but I also have landed some of the biggest brown trout that I have ever taken on a dry fly in the GSMNP. I challenge you to get out of your comfort zone and try a furled leader. Furled leaders can be custom made or you can pick one up at your local shop. Pick one up and see if it’s for you!
Shannon Messer is the Manager of Blackrock Outdoors/Orvis Fly Shop located in Sylva, NC.
