Rob G

Paul, yea, the furled leader would replace the tapered leader. Many use a double surgeons knot to join the tippet to the leader but there are several other knots available and some will make a loop knot in both the end of the leader and the tippet and then go loop to loop.

Hey Mike, I guess this "bass" won't count will it? No smallies and only had one small largemouth on this afternoon.

Mike, one article that I read, was that Lefty used 50 lb butt section only for large saltwater flies and normally 40 lb for freshwater applications. What I want to try is 56" of 40 lb, 28" of 30 lb, 14" of 20 lbs and finally 18-24" of my 8 lb tippet for a total of about 10 ft. Tim Holschlag in his book suggests only 3 sections for a total 9 ft leader, 3' butt section 25-30 lbs, 2nd section 3' 15 lbs and then 3 ft of 8lb tippet. Those I can find around here in a decent mono but not the 30 and 40 lb.

I was going to try and tie a few knotted leaders using Lefty's 50% formula which he states really bust the wind but.... no one around here carries mono greater than 25 lbs so will have to put in an order to Bass Pro. Maybe the central region Bassburgers can tie a bunch and test cast at some future outing.

Two questions, which might work better 4,6, or 8 lb flouro for one of these spun furled leaders for the average flies we toss and would it be logical to create the 7 foot leader such that the 4 strand would be 4 ft in length and the 2 strand portion that will attach to the tippet be 3 ft in length? I enjoy this type of thing so I'm sure I'll give it a go.

Someone mentioned that furled leaders resist wind knots better because they are stiffer, is that true? Not that my pure casting technique ever creates wind knots, I just want to know this for a... errr ... friend. Also, if you were going to hand tie or spin one according to that video, would 6 lb fluoro be a decent line to use?

Do those furled leaders tend to pick up algae any more or less than hand tied knotted leaders?

To me, I just don't enjoy casting those 8 or 9 wt logs and heavy socks all day unless I stand a chance to hang up with some very large fish like pike or carp. I'm sure those beautiful flies will attract and catch smallies but what fun is it to bring in 15" and less fish with those heavy sticks. And for that reason, I'm always on the look out for a smaller, lighter fly that presents itself larger than it is so I can use my 4,5, and 6 wt rods for the enjoyment once the fish is on. Just my take.

Didn't my state income taxes just increase by 67%. Haven't the hunting/fishing license fee accounts been used for other non sportsman activites. Sorry, it's a spending problem not a revenue problem.

Tim Holschlag and another guide I spoke to, often use the same thing with 9 feet of 8 lb fluorocarbon.

Do I detect an anger management issue or are you envious because you don't own a 9 ft, 5 wt, 4 piece fly rod made from multiple carefully chosen high modulus carbon fibers and a new space age resin system.

OK, I guess we will have to invite them as well. (Not the caterpillars)

Another shameless bump for all fishermen of the Central IL Region March 13....FLIES, PIES, and SPIN GUYS (1-4 PM)....We'll be tying a few flies, eating pizza pies and asking all the non-flyfishermen to come on out so we can have our central IL regional meeting in order to firm up our fishing and event dates for 2011. Also consider bringing a few extra dollars as we will have some neat items to raffle and auction off. Bloomington Fire station, located just off Towanda Barnes rd. at 4040 E. Oakland drive, on the east side of the airport. Some GPS and Google Maps show it incorrectly on the west side of the airport, Bloomington IL BTW, you do not have to be a member of the ISA to attend these gatherings and beginners are welcome.

A little bit of fly rod wisdom spoken here, just a little tongue in cheek http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7795583/

Fred, not snobbishness but rather envy, what I meant to say is, "How the heck can they sell you a rod for $20 when I can't purchase a decent piece of cork and reel seat for that amount. I'm the first one in line to tell you that there is very little correlation between the price of a rod and how well it might fish for you. If you saw my personal gear you would quickly realize that I won't be starring in any Sage commercials.

I have to laugh when I see those bargain prices, because I can't possibly build a fly rod for much less than $50 (materials cost alone) and that's built on a really crappy blank, crummy cork and a cheap reel seat.

Interesting, just to show all successful flyfishermen don't necessarily think along the same lines, above Brad Miller from FlyBass voices his support for the hackle dressing in the rear in order to get the fly up and parallel with the water surface but if you read and look at the drawings on page 80 from Lefty's book, "Presenting the Fly" you will notice that he feels you should leave out the hackle for that exact same reason, in that you want the hook to remain tilted down subsurface for better hookups. BTW, the entire piece is a pretty easy read. go to page 80 http://books.google.com/books?id=j8c3Sklaz4AC&printsec=frontcover&dq=lefty+kreh's+presenting+the+fly&source=bl&ots=QGBGaYwqj1&sig=Xn9Y2MJ3XlEywuPgE9HY5FjkUUY&hl=en&ei=ZxdwTZzoHs608QO75KCvCA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&sqi=2&ved=0CDEQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q&f=false

Ha, and I own that book. Probably the 2nd best that I own when it pertains to flyfishing for smallies, while the best being Tim Holschlag's latest.

Darn, a yellow blockhead popper with no dressing? Now that is austere. Did you pull that photo from Lefty's "Presenting the Fly" or Bob Clouser's book?

Mike, Sounds great, 14" or better to play. Although for me that means I'm probably looking at a LMB since rivers down here can be hit or miss during the earlier part of the season due to flooding. How about we start May 1 to even things up due to latitude differences though if you get something sooner, please post. BTW, the only reason I asked for photo verification is not that I doubted one's honor but rather I just like seeing classic fish photos with the fly attached but hanging on the outside of mouth. No photo necessary to play. Also I like the idea of the Lefty Shootout vs. the Duel since always the more the merrier. Ron, I had my best fish of the year on last early April using a white pencil popper. Didn't get to measure her since on the second wonderful water clearing leap, she spit it back at me. I too was surprised how early they would hit on a topwater.

And that's the luxury of spin fishing, able to cast and use much larger and heavier baits than a fly fisheman can comfortably cast.

Oh, I so badly want to slap some eyes, gills, and flash on this thing. Couldn’t find a dead squirrel but did find a road kill deer for white tail fibers. Alright Mike, I challenge you to a Lefty Duel. First one this season that takes a bass, largemouth or smallmouth on his no frills Lefty Popper buys the other one a beverage of his choice. This “Austerity Popper Challenge” will of course be on the honor system but a photo is needed with popper in mouth for verification. Anyone else want in on this action? And no, it's not a marshmallo.

Mike, you have to let us know how those work out vs. the more modern, high glamor and sophisticated poppers. You've just about convinced me to put together a few of those no frills poppers just to see how they perform, now excuse me while I get back in the car and go find a roadkill squirrel.

Mike, have any idea how long your kayak paddle is? Just looking to do more solo paddling and fishing this year.