The Board

I’m a bit bloody slow sometimes. I need to start experimenting with braided leaders and tippets for Snakehead. I’ll splice a 10WT Hird Special this weekend with a view to dropping down to 50lb Spectra for tippet.

Got any suggestions regards recipe, Graeme?

I really want this thing to float for the quick shots. With spectra I might even find a way of using the Knot2Kinky wire I have (it cuts through 50lb mono, no matter which knot I try, well below breaking strengths of the wire).

I can see lots of advantages - thinner tippet, floating leader while waiting for the shot, potentially longer leader because leader in the rings won’t be such a challenge, quieter presentation, superior snag resistance - just for starters!

Cheers, Paul

That sounds like a good idea, Paul. It was a bit annoying with the sinking leader while waiting for the shot to be made. I'm really looking forward to come to the jungle again.

I'd start with the butt section of 130lb and taper it down to the thin end of 60lb, trying to match the taper of the line. I think the leader length of 6' to 7' works okay in my situation but of course, I haven't fished with you in your neck of the woods. Use the tippet braid to get the final length.

You'll probably need to experiment beyond that starting recipe to get the optimal results.

If I need mine to float, I use one of the silk line grease treatments. If your fly sinks, that method doesn't work. These leaders won't float by themselves.

(I need to make a few more for myself, so I'll set up a video camera and record the process for others to learn from.)

Cheers,
Graeme

Hey Graeme or Paul

Can you post the link to the braid please?

Cheers,
Flavio

Graeme sent me this and I followed it to the letter! I got hit with import duties on the way into UK!

The raw material (braid): http://www.bhptackle.com/home.php?cat=2
Get the green one for darker leaders.

The needles: http://www.bhptackle.com/home.php?cat=212
I like these ones with a loop. Get the smallest one - it will work for all braid sizes. You will also probably need one of these too.

The coating is just "boiled linseed oil" with about 10 to 25% varnish in it.

One of these beng http://www.bhptackle.com/product.php?pr ... 151&page=1

All up I paid £41 duty and fees. I can’t remember how much I paid for the kit..... just looked it up 213USD.

I figured I’ll recoup some by selling a few on the houseboat. They take about 20-30 minutes to build and a lot of faffing around afterwards. But it’s well worth it.

I still haven’t built any yet because I haven’t got linseed oil. It’s not available in Grik. Either Viking Lars will post some over or I might be able to get hold of in the Big Shitty.

Cheers, Paul

What kind of linseed oil do you need, and how much?

Cheers
Lasse

I have no idea. Are there different types?

We have them by the bucket, I'm a painter remember

So I guess it's just the raw oil you're after, pressed?
And half a liter should last you a little while, until you leave a rag soaked in it in the condom and start a fire

Let me know if I can help...

Cheers
Lasse

It's boiled linseed oil he needs.

It's essentially the same treatment that was used on silk lines.

A litre is almost a lifetime supply.