Has anyone tried making sinking leaders from lead core trolling line.  I am thinking of trying this as an inexpensive way of getting streamers down in the small to medium sized streams I fish.

I carry several lengths of Cortland LC-13 in my leader wallet at all times.   Strip off the PVC coating and remove the lead core from the hollow braid, make a loop at each end and coat with AquaSeal.     Lengths of 2ft, 4ft, 6ft and 10ft,,,, very easy to attach via  loop to loop onto fly line for instant sink tips for deep pockets or larger pools.

A newer product is Rio T8, T-11 & T-14 which are thinner in dia. and are mono core with tungsten impregnated PVC coating, the same as sinking lines.  This can be purchased in packs of 30ft lengths or from dealers with bulk spools.

The basic concept was introduced to me in the early 1970's by salt water FF in CT.   They were upset when George Harvey wrote the article instructing their use in Fly Fisherman Magazine in later years.

You can also purchase sinking leaders from AirFlo and Rio in various sink rates and lengths.

Regards,
FK

Davy,

I never used the lead core trolling line with nylon braid covering.

The product we have used for many years in salt water is LC-13 is still in production by Cortland

http://www.cortlandline.com/products/default.asp?id=121

Lead wire in the center, braided nylon over the lead and final coating of vinyl.   The vinyl is dipped in acetone and easily strips away with 20# backing in a girth hitch.   Remove the lead core and whip finish the braid into a small loop.   Stiffen up the loop with AquaSeal or equivalent.

I have also used the AirFlo sinking leaders which appear to be braided core with tungsten impregnated coating, they work well but are very expensive when getting hung up and breaking off.   The LC-13 is almost disposable.

We also used the LC-13 for shooting heads, there are some charts available for lengths of head vs. rod line ratings for proper loading.


Today we have Rio T8, T11, T14 and T17 which is thinner and is less affected by currents.
http://www.rioproducts.com/product.php?recKey=31

If anyone is interested in experimenting with Cortland LC-13, PM me and I will mail out a piece.

Regards,
FK

Davy,

I have never seen the Moser system for sale in the US, sounds interesting.

I just received my heat gun and transparent heat shrink tubing for making loops in the Rio T-14 and fly lines.  This should be quicker  and make a smaller smooth area for loop-to-loop connections.   The West coast Steelheaders are really into the heat shrink tubing system, they make a longer connection than the latest factory loops by SA, Rio and AirFlo.  Some of the factory loops are having reports of failures and many do not trust them.

Regards,
FK