How do you straighten your leaders?

[fly_baby]

I've used every method I've read about to try to straighten my leaders. I've tried a leader straightener doo-hickie that seemed to curl the leader even more. I've tried running the leader through my fingers...slowly, through my hands slowly, etc. and don't get satisfactory results. So, what works for you?

[castaway]

attach leader to flyline and reel. Get a coat hanger...Store your reel with the leader attached to the coat hanger and the reel hanging towards/almost on the floor.

I use furled leaders, and really dont have that problem - I hang em once when I first get em, that seems to set them for good.

[whitefish ed]

i hooka fish..shrug..

[Papasequoia]

[planettrout]

These work just fine. Start at the butt and pull through SLOWLY with maximum tension. It may have to be repeated 2-3 times. I have never had a problem using one that is good quality...like this one from Umpqua...been using the same one for, oh, about 30 years...It is best used when the leader is DRY



PT/TB

[rayfound]

Use furled and never straighten again.

[Sasha]

i hooka fish..shrug..

Isn't that how it is supposed to be done

[fly addict]

Why straighten your leader anyway, at least when your fishing a dry? You have built in dragfree drift in your leader if you DON'T straighten it. This was suggested to me by someone who has more hours fishing then most of us will have in our lifetime.

Mark

[midger]

I just tighten my fingers on one hand on the leader starting at the butt. I pull it fast and hard with your fingertips compressing/squeezing the leader to where I can feel the leader actually heating up from the friction, as I hold the connection at the butt with the other hand. I keep the leader stretched tight until it cools back down--probably 10 seconds or so. Repeat action, moving down the leader until you've straightened the whole leader. I've found this will straighten almost any mono or fluro leader.

[Bstallings]

I use the rubber sole of my shoe. Grasp a section of the leader in each hand & saw back & forth. Repeat until entire length of tapered leader is straight.

[fflutterffly]

Ava you have to do this! Photography workshop with Graham Owen. check out his post from wildfly. Mr. Owens is great.

[RSetina]

Use furled and never straighten again.

That's what I use too. They never need straitening and turn over flies quite nicely.

[briansII]

i hooka fish..shrug..

Snags work too.

FWIW, I just pull on my leader, and get it relatively straight. Some stiff mono(like a thick butt section)takes more effort. I'm never too concerned with a perfectly straight leader.

briansII

[Rob909]

I was taught by others that know a heck of a lot more about this than I do, to never use anything other than your fingers (as opposed to the leather do-hickies ).

This is because the heat your fingers feel when stretching/straightening will tell you when you should stop. You will not feel any heat from a leather straightener and could heat the leader too much and damage it.

Just my $.02


Rob

[fly_baby]

Thanks for all of the great replies.

For those of you who used furled leaders, do you use them exclusively?