Leaders

[Guest Jocool]

I was just putting my gear away, and gave my line the once over. To say I was surprised is an understatement. My leader was frayed to buggery. I pulled against it and it let go at about 5 KG pressure. This only after 2 fish!!!!

In the heat of the moment, I didnt think to check my leader. But from now I will be more vigilant. The funny thing is, I don't recall that the fish actually against anything.

[Ken A]

You have learnt a valuable lesson mate. A few seconds checking your leader after a fish can save a few "big one that got away" stories.

[Guest fishrunner]

After every fish and also every now and then I run my leader bthrough my fingers and rerig if req'd!, don't want to lose a fish to poor terminals! .

cheers

[Narralakes]

I lost a fish up at Port Stephens that would have been a couple of kgs and my fish of the trip, but alas, a busted leader.... average fly casters like myself are prone to "windknots", that plus not changing leaders after every session have lost me numerous fish, you'd think I would learn, but just like the end of a fishing session the old saying, "just one more" can prove to be the losing of fish.

[Ken A]

Flatties especially small ones are buggers for nicking leaders. I always load up the last foot or so after a flatty & test it. Even tiny spikeys around 10 cm can nick it

Its not normally a problem for me lately cause mostly the flatty spike is in my finger which protects my leader from damage

[Tim]

Can I add to that tip? Retie old knots. I use a full blood knot for tying on hooks, etc. They are great, but old knots can slip. Ofcourse, I learnt the hard way.

[tyrone07]

I lost some solid bream to leader knots. I was using a double uni but it slipped 3 or 4 times so now i use the stren. Hasnt slipped yet. LEts hope it doesnt