Northwest Fishing Reports

I've heard that fluorocarbon leaders are good for Tiger Muskie fishing. I've also heard that 125# fluorocarbon is the way to go. My question is; does 125# fluorocarbon make a good leader for fly fishing for these critters? And, if so, what kind of knot would you recommend at both ends?
Thanks ahead for your input.

Steel leaders I think are preferable so they can't slice the line right in half. I guess a thick line like that might work but probably not as well.

The word that I am getting in researching Tigers is to use a steel leader. This next spring I am going to start fly fishing for them out at Silver in Four Lakes. It should be interesting:-"

Here is an article I ran across recently:

http://www.midcurrent.com/articles/tech ... uskie.aspx

Marc,
You may see me there. I'm planning the same thing at Silver.

[quote="Lotech Joe"]I've heard that fluorocarbon leaders are good for Tiger Muskie fishing. I've also heard that 125# fluorocarbon is the way to go. My question is]

Hi Joe,

I bought some leaders made up with fluorocarbon, and they used crimps on the ends just like the steel leaders have.

Some thoughts for you, they are stiff as a board, usually have a curve or bend to them unless you heat them up and straighten them in some very warm water, heavier than s good multistrand steel leader, and, on some occasions, they can be cut through.

I lost a good Tiger over at Hauser a few years ago when it cut through after a long battle. I lost a couple of Northerns over at Coeur d'Alene as well.

If you want to hit Silver next spring, you and Marc should PM me and I'll meet you there. I have a couple fluorocarbons that I think I can spare.

Oh yea, I use a 9 weight, just to have a chance when I hit one in the weeds.

AnglinArcher,
Thanks friend. I might just do that. Seems like a long way off with all this snow.

Lotech Joe wrote:Marc, You may see me there. I'm planning the same thing at Silver.

Sounds good Joe. It should be fun. I'm researching the internet now and talking with guys.

I just joined the Inland Empire Fly Fishing Club. Last Tues. I attended and helped out with this years fund raising Christmas raffle. Much to my surprise, I won an Orvis 9 wt. fly rod that one of the members donated to the raffle. It is like brand new. I think that he used it once. So now I have told Santa I wanted as many Cabela's Gift Cards as possible, to get the line and reel. I will be pretty much set up for the challenge.

furled leaders will hold up on most.

you can also make furled leaders out of very very fine wire...true tiger leader.

beresford13861 wrote:furled leaders will hold up on most.

you can also make furled leaders out of very very fine wire...true tiger leader.

I furl my own leaders out of 6/0 fly tying thread, using Kathy Scott's formula. Somehow I don't think they would hold up to a Tiger Muskie.

Marc Martyn wrote:

Lotech Joe wrote:Marc, You may see me there. I'm planning the same thing at Silver.

Sounds good Joe. It should be fun. I'm researching the internet now and talking with guys.

I just joined the Inland Empire Fly Fishing Club. Last Tues. I attended and helped out with this years fund raising Christmas raffle. Much to my surprise, I won an Orvis 9 wt. fly rod that one of the members donated to the raffle. It is like brand new. I think that he used it once. So now I have told Santa I wanted as many Cabela's Gift Cards as possible, to get the line and reel. I will be pretty much set up for the challenge.

How lucky can you get? Good on you. I picked up a Pflueger Trion reel at Sportsmans' Warehouse about 1 1/2 years ago for I think $79. That's the one I'm planning on using.

Lotech Joe wrote:

beresford13861 wrote:furled leaders will hold up on most.

you can also make furled leaders out of very very fine wire...true tiger leader.

I furl my own leaders out of 6/0 fly tying thread, using Kathy Scott's formula. Somehow I don't think they would hold up to a Tiger Muskie.

theres fine wire that will work fine, maybe not for a 40# tiger but 10-25 should be fine, i used them in MN...
if not then a regular steel leader, slow down your cast.

beresford13861 wrote: i used them in MN...
if not then a regular steel leader, slow down your cast.

DITTO

Several of the steel leaders are so called "tieable". Should you tie knots or use small crimps?

Marc Martyn wrote:Several of the steel leaders are so called "tieable". Should you tie knots or use small crimps?

Have you found any of those tieable leaders locally?

Both Joe's and Sportsman's Warehouse had them.

Marc Martyn wrote:Several of the steel leaders are so called "tieable". Should you tie knots or use small crimps?

I do like the tieable leaders, and I do use them. The type I use actually barrel twist and you set the not with a match. You sure reduce the weight of the swivels that normally come with a lot of the pre-made steel leaders.

So what I am gathering for fly fishing, you use a regular leader, though shorter than normal because of the larger flies, and tie on about 8 inches of steel leader. I ran across this web page suggesting how to make up steel leaders. The technique looks very simple, however I can't see how just fusing the nylon coating would be strong enough. What do you thinK?

http://members.shaw.ca/cs47/leader.html

http://members.shaw.ca/clives/pikeflyfish.html

If this procedure would work, than a guy could tie up the flies with the leader already attached to the fly. You would then tie the fly line nylon leader onto the attached steel leader loop with a standard fisherman's knot. Correct?

This method looks like it would be a great way to go. I suppose for extra strength if needed, you could use a small crimp sleeve.

Wow Marc a nine weight Orvis. That is awesome. Seems pretty perfect for Pike according to the article You read. I have an old eight weight fiberglass Heddon that I am going to use at Silver it has backbone and is totally limber with a fish on. Definitely got to have a WL.com Pike Party. Have you found if they are hot at ice out or is it a summer thing?

It's a spring thing. I am gathering that information now. It's going to be a party alright!:bounce: :bounce: