Author Topic: coiled mono sighters. (Read 3714 times)

John Kalamen · « **on:** January 21, 2011, 02:42:44 PM »

I've been high sticking and czech nymphing for quite some time. I have read about coiled sighters for a couple of years and decided to try to make my own. I have several questions:
1 Living at 5000' elevation water boils at a lower temp. than at sea level. Do I have to boil the mono longer, or won't it make a difference.

2 What do you hold the mono on the dowel with?

3 Do you have different mono's depending on how heavy your nymphs are?

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #1 on:** January 21, 2011, 03:06:54 PM »

I just fish one size curly, but I know a few guys have 2/3 options.
I use a 1/4in gate bolt (homedepot) and #5 (smallest) o rings (homedepot).
You might want to go to 15min boil in your case. But I'm not really sure where the set point is.

btw, welcome to the forum. What area do you fish?

John Kalamen · « **Reply #2 on:** January 21, 2011, 03:18:59 PM »

I live in Loveland, CO.. I fish the Big Thompson tons, and go up to the miracle mile in WY. and I also fish the Blue down by Dillon.

Aaron Laing · « **Reply #3 on:** January 21, 2011, 04:30:27 PM »

Welcome aboard, John.

If you can't find the o-rings, zap straps will do the job too (not reusable though

).

Aaron

John Killinger · « **Reply #4 on:** January 21, 2011, 09:27:33 PM »

Go to an archery shop and buy a pack of small rubber bands, the same kind that are used for expanding broadheads. They work great for securing the mono to the 1/4 bolt.

Chris Smorul · « **Reply #5 on:** January 21, 2011, 10:19:12 PM »

try a pressure cooker to eliminate the elevation problem.

Dave Haines · « **Reply #6 on:** January 21, 2011, 10:28:55 PM »

I use cheap Bic pens and small o-rings. You can get 4-5 sighters on the pen and it fits great in your vest.

Chris Puchniak · « **Reply #7 on:** January 21, 2011, 11:11:51 PM »

I use chop sticks and twist ties. Very easy to find usually

I use 10 # mostly. I would certainly consider using heavier if I was using a real heavy team, but the 10# has worked comfortably for me thus far.

Loren Williams · « **Reply #8 on:** January 22, 2011, 01:11:49 PM »

John,

I use a square shaft metal screwdriver for my coils and I wrap the .014" mono very tightly and I do not let go between wraps so that the mono twists on itself as it wraps on the shaft. The square edges set a nice kink (Thanks Kurt!).

I use duct tape

I use heavier mono than most--it floats much better and is much more visible. But my leader is designed around it.

I always have a curly in my leader but I may not always float it--or even look at it. My curly is short compared to most at about 6" but it's all I need. Excessive lengths seem to confuse casting and I see no added value in bite detection.

The curly on my leader now has been in use since september 2009. I may change it this spring because it is getting faded.

John Dunn · « **Reply #9 on:** January 23, 2011, 01:30:04 PM »

Quote from: Chris Smorul on January 21, 2011, 10:19:12 PM

try a pressure cooker to eliminate the elevation problem.

Problem solved,Good post Chris

Louis Martin · « **Reply #10 on:** February 01, 2011, 04:09:41 PM »

Loren, your comment partially answers my question above. I have studied your leader rig from other posts, and believe I understand how you use it. I think I'll set two spools up for nymphing, one with a shorter leader, somewhat like yours, for smaller streams and closer nymphing and one with a longer leader for fishing farther away, perhaps with a larger or longer sighter for visibility and floatability. Thanks for your posts here and elsewhere on the coiled sighter and leaders.

Loren Williams · « **Reply #11 on:** February 01, 2011, 05:31:44 PM »

Louis,

I use a pretty long leader ahead of my sighter (20-feet). In instances where I cannot/do not want to fish a long leader I use a shorter aggressive tapered leader ahead of my sighter and employ fly line.

In both instances my curly is short--I do not feel that length makes it more, or less, visible.

However, your mileage may vary

John Killinger · « **Reply #12 on:** February 01, 2011, 07:30:54 PM »

Welcome Aboard Louis! There is a great deal of knowledge on this board!

Louis Martin · « **Reply #13 on:** February 01, 2011, 09:23:47 PM »

Loren, is the formula below the one you typically use?

50" .022" Maxima Cham.
25" .017" MC
20" .015" MC
sighter (3 color, middle color is coiled)
30" 3X
tippet to suit

?

Loren Williams · « **Reply #14 on:** February 01, 2011, 10:22:00 PM »

Louis,

Not any more. These days, bove the sighter I use a Hends Camou 9m tapered leader but back to .014"-.015" to meet my .014" sighter. The cut back ends up leaving me with a 20 to 21-foot butt section that I can cast with wonderful ease and accuracy, has almost no memory and lets me reach out even further than the leader you listed which I used previously.

Jeremiah Hamilton · « **Reply #15 on:** February 02, 2011, 08:10:43 AM »

I must agree with Loren, Hends Camou is lot better then the custom ones I have made for casting.

Brenton Greubel · « **Reply #16 on:** February 02, 2011, 10:29:18 AM »

Is there anywhere in the US to get these Hends leaders? I'd like to try them out.

Kalvin Kaloz · « **Reply #17 on:** February 02, 2011, 01:05:43 PM »

Nope...I wish save greatly on shipping, every little bit helps with a 15.00 leader! http://www.flytyingboutique.com/store/Details.asp?ProdID=466&category=18

* Keep in mind that FTB prices are in British Pounds(gpb) not Euros or the conversion will mess you up

Zach Bearden · « **Reply #18 on:** February 02, 2011, 04:33:41 PM »

What rod are you guys using to cast those French Leaders? I've gone back to my old leader of 16' and just taken the french off. To cast it was a chore and with the shorter leader I'm a tad more comfortable.

Maybe I just need to slow my cast down.

Louis Martin · « **Reply #19 on:** February 02, 2011, 04:34:39 PM »

Thanks Loren, that helps a lot. I'm probably going to stick with shorter leaders (14-16 ft. with tippet included) right now as I work on learning to use the sighter and rod, but I will order the Hends leaders soon and aim to be using them this spring.

I have your three part sighter formula somewhere and believe it ends with a straight section of 8 lb solar green. Using the Hends leader do you still use that three part sighter and then follow your sighter with 30" of 3X and then tippet to suit? Or another configuration?

Thanks also Kalvin and others too for the info.!

Sean Crocker · « **Reply #20 on:** February 02, 2011, 04:46:45 PM »

John from Wingersheek flies is trying to work with Hends so he can keep a bunch of the Camou leaders in stock in his shop.

Chris Smith · « **Reply #21 on:** February 02, 2011, 05:32:11 PM »

Loren,

Do you keep your rod rigged at all times?

I've had memory issues with the Hends leader (I've used the same one for several months) if I don't keep the rod rigged and leader taught. Could be this leader...or something I've done to it. Just curious.

Loren Williams · « **Reply #22 on:** February 02, 2011, 07:35:14 PM »

Nope. I do two things: boil the leader before you affix it to your fly line and then a few quick pulls before I fish and it will be as limp as a 90-year old drunkard.