Northern Pike Flies
Attaching nylon-coated steel leaders
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Note about monofilament and fluorocarbon leaders.  (April 2006)
When I first fly-fished for pike, I used 30 or 40-pound monofilament and the first fish to hit my fly broke the mono. So I started using steel leaders and never had one break in 15 or so years. Recently, someone suggested that I try flurocarbon leaders instead of steel. I purchased a spool of Berkley Vanish 40-pound leader. On the evening of April 25, 2006 I tried it on a local pond. The first pike caught abraded the leader a bit (as I had been warned it might) and then I landed two more pike. The fourth pike hook broke the leader with its teeth.

I've used heavy mono and heavy fluoro and both were cut with pike teeth. In 15 years, not one steel leader has been cut or broken from pike teeth. The steel leaders do need replacing now and then as they get "kinky."

NYLON-COATED STEEL LEADERS ARE THE ONLY "BITE" LEADER I WILL USE.

Cheers,

Clive


This is how to attach nylon-coated braided steel leaders to pike flies. I use 20- or 30-pound leaders. (These images show a thicker, 60-poond leader for clarity.)







 

If you have questions, drop me a line. E-mail me.
Clive Schaupmeyer
Coaldale, Alberta, Canada
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