Fishing Airflo PolyLeaders: What we need to know to fish them effectively

[@wschield608]

Who knew? Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@dejongpol]

Verry useful again thnx Pol

[@harleymandk]

informative video! i love it!

[@mmtkus]

*I bought these and used them at the river where I get snags often they have done a **enjoyable.fishing** recommend great job of not breaking along with some strong line I purchased as well. They are super durable and easy to use.*

[@gmcallsuk]

Great video again. May I please ask if tippet rings an option for connecting tippet to a poly leader

[@hooked4lifeca]

Yes, actually they're an ideal way of connecting tippet and I mention them in one of these videos.

[@mikel2438]

Hello Peter, I’ve got a 3wt rod with WF4F line for trout. I’ve got the trout 5ft fast sinking polyleader. Can I use a tippet ring on this so I can add more tippet as it gets shorter ? Love your videos thank you. Michael.

[@hooked4lifeca]

Yes, most definitely. Tippet rings on PolyLeaders is an excellent way to go. I use them on my PolyLeaders.

[@gregkosinski2303]

@@hooked4lifecado you end up always going with a fairly large tippet ring?

[@hooked4lifeca]

@@gregkosinski2303 Yes, I use the steelhead size as the trout size can get to be a bit of a tight fit with the larger mono sizes.

[@TieitAndFlyit]

7’ 25 lb fast sink poly leader I’m looking to fish streamers with. Tippet should I continue the taper with a foot of something that ties a decent perfection loop than transition to a 1-2 of thin diameter?

[@hooked4lifeca]

I've been tying steelhead tippet rings onto the end of my PolyLeaders and attaching the tippet to that. Works quite nicely.

[@jaedukoh673]

Thank you. Can you please provide some guidance as to the scenarios where different lengths of poly leaders would be more advantageous vs another?

[@hooked4lifeca]

Stay tuned for my nest video as I will cover this.

[@louiepiacentini]

Great question Jae! I would love to learn more about this as well. I fish the five-foot polyleaders but I would love to try other lengths but I am not sure of their advantages.

[@randymatson5710]

Have you tried putting a sinking poly leader on an intermediate? If so how does it react?

[@hooked4lifeca]

It works fine provided the fly sinks well on its own. If we use a high drag fly that sinks poorly, it can end up being out of position over the first part of the swing, really only fishing at the last part of the swing.

[@chazdrumzalot]

I do wish airflo would provide grain weights for polyleaders. Whether overhead casting or Spey casting, knowing the added weight of the poly leader is very helpful in matching lines. When I’m overhead casting polys I add the grain weight of the poly to the grain weight of the head and match the total to a rod which suits that total amount. An extra super fast sinking trout leader weighs something like 90 grains if I recall correctly, almost as much per foot as t10. Even if the line is appropriate for such a heavy poly, not every rod is happy casting an extra 90 grains on top of a (typically) already overweighted fly line plus a heavy fly.

[@hooked4lifeca]

From what I understand, the UK market is not focused on grain weights. You may have noticed that Rajeff Sports is no longer the North American distributor for Airflo.They paid more attention to grain weights than the UK side, but their Airflo USA website is now shut down. I agree that having the weights for PolyLeaders would be handy, but we'll have to wait and see what the new North American distributors come up with for a website.

[@stevestringham1095]

you might try getting a reloading scale. i use mine for figuring things out with poly leaders and making fly lines from other lines and stuff like that.. good times!

[@loomi47]

I have got some touble with the poly leader. I made a 150gr skagit head for 3wt rods,and use a 8’ trout intermediate polyleader,cast nymphs well,and cast a weighted 6# charlie fly,seems no problem,when the charlie fall into water, it looks always in the front.But I viewed my slow motion video today,found that charlie didn't turned over by the leader,just flew by inertia, when the leader try to turn over,the hook falled much faster than the head and leader ,flew below the leader and went through itself. Sometime the charlie didn't fly so far ,and the leader didn't get straight ,like a letter "r". If I make a roll cast,don't shoot any line,it works well, when I need some distance, it gets problem.2.5feet 5lb flurocarbon tippet was connected to the poly leader,and the charlie is about 8grains, is the fly too heavy ,or the tippet is too thin, or the poly leader caused that problem?

[@hooked4lifeca]

It's normal for a weighted fly to continue on due to its inertia. I talk about this in a number of videos on whether the fly (weighted) dominates the leader vs. the leader dominates the fly (small, unweighted). Because of this we have to adjust our casting. Look in. my videos for one on casting weighted flies.

[@loomi47]

@@hooked4lifeca Okay, I will check it out,cheers.

[@squaretops1]

Did an overhand loop knot instead of the perfection loop.Its all i cud manage will that do.Thrs only 4 inches of mono to work with.

[@MasterGuitarFrets]

I fished with a 10ft airflow salmon/steel head poly leader on a scandi setup. Hocked i to a large Atlantic salmon and after a jump and a run the fish got off. I figures its the barbless hook or my turtle knot failed but after a close inspection it was the polyleader that failed in the tipped section behind the loop. Neat less to to say I was so disappointed. Not sure if I ever trust another one of these factory leaders no matter the brand.

[@hooked4lifeca]

A Salmon/Steelhead PolyLeader has a 24lb. core so the only way we can break the core is by using a tippet with a strength greater than 24lb. However, if the core has been damaged then . . . it won't take much to break it. There's a clue when we've stretched the PolyLeader to its breaking strength - the coating near the tip will flake off as it loses its adherence to the overstretched mono core. If there's no flaking then the breakage occurred at well below the breaking strain of the core, which Implies either the core was damaged or there was a problem with the knot.

[@lamarcannon7199]

Thanks Peter!

[@philipvankampen3394]

For those of us that still practice the art of the swing, polyleaders can be a day-saver - especially in the afternoons when you need to get down and induce some takes. My home water is a tailwater in southern VA, and let me tell you, versatility is the name of the game. I like to go out with one rod and 2 leader wallets. I've never forgotten a leader wallet 2 miles upstream before. Ha ha

[@roberta.k4213]

Another very informative video! You might have mentioned this, but I can’t recall. But, people might have to fiddle with the length of tippet they attach to the poly leader based on fly, casting , fishing deep or on top, etc, etc.

[@hooked4lifeca]

Stay tuned for my nest video as I will cover this.

[@roberta.k4213]

hooked4lifeca Sounds good!

[@LukeAndrewFlint]

I’m looking for an intermediate polly leader for my 4 weight to use for streamers. What do you recommend?

[@hooked4lifeca]

I'd use a 5' intermediate Trout PolyLeader. Any longer and it'll get awkward to cast on a 4 wt.

[@decoydavesmith]

Every video I find just cruises right past the tippet details; I'm about to give up lol. I swear I see a knot in the middle of your tippet, but no mention that I can find of it, and sorry if I missed it. Some vids and articles say to tie the tippet on with an albright knot, which I like the sound of rather than a loop to loop, BUT, do you have a step-down of line diameters in your tippet? What diameters? What length of tippet, for, say, an intermediate polyleader for summer steelhead? Can't find anything on this; it's kinda important. They all just assume we'd know and some of us are dumb lol

[@hooked4lifeca]

I have a video on the Surgeons Knot (double and triple) which is the easiest knot to tie two pieces of mono together. It'll handle stepping down in breaking strain. Unfortunately to produce a 'tippet' video would be hours long trying to cover every eventuality and no one will watch it! As for your PolyLeader question, I use steelhead tippet rings on the end of my PolyLeaders connected to a two piece tippet that is usually 5' to 7' long. I typically go 15lb. to 12lb. or 10lb. fluorocarbon. I use a UNI knot (a.k.a. Grinner Knot) to connect to the tippet ring.

[@vikkimacdonald6668]

Hey Peter, thanks for the informative video! I would like to try using poly leaders swinging wet flies for Atlantic salmon on my home waters - Miramichi River, NB. What would you recommend in terms of sink rate?

[@hooked4lifeca]

I probably wouldn't go any denser than a Fast Sink as they're easier to cast. Unless the river is high, cold and dirty, there isn't much need to get deep for salmon. The denser PolyLeaders are much heavier and less pleasant to cast.

[@bigron8346]

I have a 480gr. Rage for my 7/8wt. 11.5ft. Loop switch rod is that the right setup and can i use the T-12 sink tip or do i use a polyleader? Thanks for the videos!!

[@hooked4lifeca]

I would stick with the PolyLeaders. T12 is too heavy for that head and would result in some pretty sloppy turnover.

[@cosmiccharlie8606]

Thank you for your time sir great video as always

[@stevestringham1095]

Eureka?

[@andrewhooper8479]

Hey Peter, Got a question around the diameter of these sink-tips/polyleaders: are the butts the same diameter but of differing densities?

[@hooked4lifeca]

No, the lesser the density, the greater the butt diameter.

[@metal4582]

Do you think the 5 weight superflo power taper would be able to handle the 10’ lengths of polyleader? I’d be using it on an imx pro 590

[@hooked4lifeca]

If you're using a true Polyleader, it shouldn't be much of a problem when overhead casting. Spey casting would be a different issue.

[@esjovold6572]

How does a poly leader compare to using something like a rio versitip line?

[@hooked4lifeca]

The Versitip lines use actual sinktips. PlyLeaders and Versileaders are different from actula sinktips. Here's a video of mine that explains the difference: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fnzTXmqYqp6ci5I

[@kevinjtoner]

Excellent video! Thank you.......👍🎣

[@squaretops1]

Is it a perfection loop onto the monofilament at the end of the Polyleader onto a perfection loop on the tippet?

[@hooked4lifeca]

Yes, I'm using a Perfection Loop.

[@squaretops1]

@@hooked4lifeca thankyou

[@mylesreilly5912]

Great help thank you Sir.

[@masonrhys5216]

i know it's kind of randomly asking but does anyone know of a good place to stream new movies online?

[@xzavierjacoby721]

@Mason Rhys I would suggest FlixZone. Just google for it :)

[@VicenteMartinezpsicologo]

its the same with the ops tips? for single handed spey tecnic?

[@hooked4lifeca]

I have not fished OPST tips so I couldn't make a useful comment about them.

[@Detroit3Pistons]

What’s the best way to attach them? Would a tippet ring on the end to add tippet to work well?

[@hooked4lifeca]

Tippet rings work great with Polyleaders.

[@Detroit3Pistons]

@@hooked4lifeca Thanks for the response. I enjoy your videos!

[@kayaking1000]

What would I need to turn over a 7 ft clear floating tarpon leader. Is it just the type of line or the rod weight as well

[@hooked4lifeca]

Turnover wouldn't be a problem for any line or rod in the tarpon class.

[@kayaking1000]

@@hooked4lifeca So a 6 weight sage ds2 rod wouldn't throw it out. The Sail store had all their airflo polyleaders on clearance for 3 bucks. I got there a little late for thier floating trout leaders however I got a pile of sinkers at different rates. I don't have a rod heavier than a 6weight, so I guess the tarpon leaders are useless?

[@hooked4lifeca]

To clarify, we're talking about the 5' Airflo Tarpon PolyLeaders, correct? The type of line is more important than the rod when it comes to casting PolyLeaders. What line are you using?

[@kayaking1000]

@@hooked4lifeca The polyleaders are the 7' bonefish clear floating. The lines are (WF6 Floating Superflo Exceed) and (WF5 Floating Superflo Presentation) They had all their lines on as well at 70% off

[@fabios35076]

Hi Peter Here's a scenario . I'm fishing lake ontario from shore. It's still water fishing. I'm stripping in Streamers. The depth is 15- 20 ft at its furthest point than it gets shallower as I start to strip. Would you go with poly leader set up with a short Skagit floater head or something similar or a Intermediate type fly line? Thanks Peter

[@hooked4lifeca]

I most definitely would not be using neither a PolyLeader nor a sinktip as neither will keep the fly down when stripping. If we're moving from deep to shallow, we want a setup that will reach the fish in the deep section, but lift when the water shallows up. A sinktip or PolyLeader won't do this as the fly will run shallow almost immediately when we start to strip line. Use a full intermediate line, a well weighted fly, and join it via a non-slip loop knot to the longest fluorocarbon leader you can comfortably cast. Keep the leader skinny, i.e. 15 lb. butt section tapering down. When cast out, count the fly down to give it time for it to sink to the bottom of the deep section. It iwll drag down the front end of the intermediate line. As you start to strip, the water pressure on the front end of the downward curving intermediate front end, will start to lift the fly, but only gradually. It won't yank it up as would a sinktip setup. As you strip the fly in, it will be gradually moving up in the water column. When you get close to shore where it's shallow, raise yor rod tip to lift in farther and you won't snag up. There is a considerable amount of depth management possible in an intermediate line, plus weighted fly plus long leader setup. That's how I would approach it. I do exactly this when fishing the neck at Pamet River for striped bass.

[@fabios35076]

Great explanation very helpful as usual. Lastly I have and 11' 11" IMX PRO short spey 5 wt Which full intermediate Airflow line would match up well? Any issues casting these heavier lines? And lastly could you use mono running line or is it a full intergrated line? Much Appreciated Peter Take Care

[@hooked4lifeca]

@@fabios35076 I'd go with the Airflo 40+ Intermediate. You didn't mention whether you would be overhead casting or Spey casting. Always go full line with this sort of fishing as the running line loops on head systems get to be a serious pain when stripping the loops into the guides. Overhead I'd go with the 40+ Sniper 8 wt. as it is optimized for that cast. It has a very blunt front end that can handle some seriously heavy flies. Unfortunately the lightest is an 8 wt. which will be heavy to overhead cast on that rod, though it will handle it. The running line floats, which is important if we're letting our line sit on the water. If you intend to overhead cast and use a stripping basket, then I'd go with the Airflo Striper 8 wt. line as it has an intermediate running line that will let the head get deeper, plus the 8 wt. is lighter than the 40+ Sniper so it will fit the rod better. We need a stripping basket though if we use an intermediate running line version. I think they're calling this line "Coldwater Salt" now. Spey casting, I'd go with the regular 40+ 8 or 9 wt. line. I'm not seeing it on Airflo's USA new site, so I don't know if they're still carrying it. This line has a Spey line type taper and Spey casts very well. It also has a floating running line.

[@fabios35076]

So I just want understand this correctly. If I am to spey cast. Than a floating running line is suitable and ideal.? Overhead casting. A intermediate running line is preferable? Thanks Peter

[@hooked4lifeca]

@@fabios35076 A floating running line is best when we're letting the running line lay on the water. Intermediate running lines are best when we're using a stripping basket or stripping the line onto a hard surface like a boat deck.

[@Flyfishthebordersandbeyond]

Great video

[@fudd126]

Howdy Charles I enjoy all your videos very informative.... I have Rio in touch trout steelhead indicator WF5F. With long rear taper and head for mending and line control.What would be a good Choice for a poly leader for Pa. Erie tributary steel head ...Would like to get my flies down to where the trout are...Thanks keep up the great work

[@hooked4lifeca]

That line puts its mass closer to the back end of the head and the front taper is 7' long so that doesn't make it the best taper for turning over PolyLeaders. If you wanted to stay with Rio lines, the Outbound Short WF-5-F would be a better PolyLeader chucker than your current line as it puts most of its mass at the front end. I'll be producing another video today that will discuss how we get our flies down with PolyLeaders. It'll be out tomorrow.

[@lets_fish_already_9345]

This seems like a stupid and obvious question but as long as the leader isn't broken or ruined can it be reused for a long time or do they degrade?

[@hooked4lifeca]

Any leader will eventually degrade with use. The biggest issue for PolyLeaders or Versileaders is to make sure that the tippet is less than the breaking strain of the core. If the breaking strain is close and you snag up, then pulling on the line to break the fly off will often damage the Poly/Versileader.