I've spent another weekend pulling my hair out trying to get my leaders to sink.
Fishing dry flies and getting constant refusals which I'm more then sure is down to the fact that my leader is sitting proudly on top of the water.
I don't normally have this problem, just apply fullers earth and down goes the leader. But I've been using small flies (18 - 26) and fine lines (0.12mm - 0.08mm).
The line is flourocarbon, but I'm reckoning the fine line is just too light too get through the surface film an no matter what I do, it just will not go down.

Any ideas?

I've altered my set up a bit recently after having a similar issue, what I've done is have a 9ft tapered leader permanently attached to my dry fly line with a tiny 2mm ring at the end (seamless ring or similar). I then add a tippet of whatever length required over the 9ft. The ring has the effect of pulling the line under but not the fly (had some tiny dries on to test it). Not sure if it will work for you but it's helped me.

Cheers, Jon

Very fine leaders always have trouble breaking through the surface film even fluorocarbon. However, are you sure the refusals are actually down to that as if you do a search on here whenever this gets discussed you'll find that many people (including me) don't worry too much about getting leaders to sink and some (including richardw) actually deliberately prefer them to float to avoid under surface current effects. Personally I've never found it to makes much difference - what DOES make a difference ti catch rate is the endless fiddling and hair pulling trying to get the damn things to sink instead of concentrating on fishing! - which is what I used to do, like you are, til I gave up, stopped worrying about it, got back to actually fishing and, guess what, still caught fish. If I do feel the need to sink some leader its only the few inches by the fly anyway.

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I use "Ledasink" from Halstead and Hartley sold in most good tackle shops. I think it's basically a Fuller Earth preparation.When rubbed on the leader and wiped clean even 4lb leader sinks in the surface film.

BK

i never worry about it being sunk ,never noticed any difference in catch rate either ...........

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I've always been obsessed about sinking my leader but I've noticed other anglers, who don't bother, seem to catch just as many fish.

You're talking about fishing in flat-calms where fish cruise around and have all the time in the world to inspect our "offerings" and a clear view without any distortions caused by a ripple. Could it be that they simply find our flies look unnatural or suspicious, after all they all have a hook hanging out of their rear-ends? I'm not convinced now that they associate a leader with a food item.

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Thanks for all the replies guys.
Got me to realise two perfect and blindingly obvious points.

1. Stop worrying about it and just get on with fishing. I say the same thing to people about various issues. The more time spent worrying about one aspect of fishing, the less time you spend concentrating on the fundamental basics of catching fish.

2. I have made a very big change to my set up. I've changed from using tapered leaders with a small leader ring to attatch the tippet and gone over to a furled leader. No doubt that tiny metal ring has had a big impact.

Thanks all.

Was fishing yesterday on the Itchen with clients who were getting frustrated at the fish refusing their dry flies, degreased their leaders for them, fish on nearly every time, it really does make a difference. I use Orvis mud, but have just bought some Fulling Mill degreasant which spells more 'detegeanty' than others so I'm looking forward to trying it.

I know it's contentious, but, I only ever use mono or co-polymer, never fluro. That's because I find as it's stiffer it tend to spread it's weight over the water better stopping it from breaking through the tension ( same as somebody in a swamp spreading their weight ) and as it's denser material when it does break through, it quickly drags the fly down. Mono breaks through quicker as it's not so stiff, and then sinks slower, best of both worlds.

Also, some people I know put bloody great clods of 'mud' on the leader, most flies off during casting, but the remainder acts like little split shot to really pull the leader under!

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I have to say that I personally find it makes a big difference! I can get away with a floating leader in rippled water but on slow pools or in calm stillwaters it's easy to see a huge difference in the number of times a fish either doesn't rise at all or turns away at the last second - sometimes a bulge in the water around the fly is the only indication that a fish has just refused!

I don't think I'm obsessed by it - it's just a normal part of fishing a dry fly as far as I'm concerned.

TSM

Fish slime is a great leader sinkant.
I know, you need to catch a fish first

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