The UK Snotty-Dog Champion, a sad goodbye, & Nymphing Leaders are back!
Hi all,
I've been in the workshop this week building a NEW and improved Nymphing Leader, and it's back on the website now.
What's changed:
- A new taper that's more responsive on the cast. Give it a try!
- A top-quality indicator {in our opinion, the best you can buy}, already fitted and ready to fish!
- Our leaders are designed to be used again and again. That means your indicator doesn't get thrown away after every river trip, which is often the case with monofilament leaders.
And don't forget your balm! With a little balm you can slide the indicator up and down the leader by up to 3ft, so you can fish different depths as the water changes. With water levels as unpredictable as they are at the moment, that's a must.
Furled Leader Conditioning Balm—a carefully crafted blend of linseed oil and pure beeswax, made specifically for the unique demands of furled leaders.
Now, a sad goodbye
This week I was very sad to hear that Tom Skerritt has died, aged 93.
Watching A River Runs Through It and fishing with my Grandad are the two moments in my life when I fell in love with fly fishing. I also love Alien {he's in that too}, but I never felt compelled to go to space after watching it! ;) Rivers, on the other hand, suddenly felt within reach.
Tom spoke up for rivers and their protection, and he reached a magnificent age. Perhaps being humbled by the beauty of rivers, taking action, and the craft of fly fishing had something to do with it. This week I stopped and asked myself: how can I spend more time on the river?
Meet Katy, the UK Snotty-Dog* Champion!
*Snotty-Dog = bullhead (Cottus perifretum)
I'd like to introduce Katy, my Mrs, the unchallenged (but unverified) UK Snotty-Dog Champion!
Katy helps me here at The Furled Leader Co. She illustrates, designs our logos and website, and chooses our eco packaging. She earned her river stripes as a child on the River Churn in Cirencester. She only had to tumble out of her front door to be at the river, where she was brought up to litter-pick the banks, respect the river and catch Snotty-Dogs by hand. (I'd love to hear what you call them where you live!)
I've watched her do it, even now. Bare toes, the flow pushing against her shins so the sediment doesn't cloud her view. In stealth mode, she lifts a stone, peers in, waits for the water to clear, and WHAM! In go her hands and she comes up jubilant, a fish cupped triumphantly in her palms. (Gently, with wet hands, and straight back in, of course.) She has passed the skill on to her son, and he takes it very seriously.
Katy and an American crayfish. There are plenty of them in the Churn now. :(
But seriously...
In over the last 30-40 years, Katy has watched her river drop in flow, stagnate, and fill up with invasive American crayfish. The weir she rode down as a fearless child is now a trickle, as hotter summers drain the groundwater that feeds the limestone and chalk river. There are enough American crayfish for a riverside BBQ {if you so wished}, and she hasn't seen a native one in years. The minnows and sticklebacks have long gone. That's a very short time for a river to turn into a moonscape.
It's one more reason we care about the rivers you fish, and why we want to keep making leaders that help you enjoy them. If you have a river story of your own, or a name for the Snotty-Dog, hit reply. We read every one.
A big thank you to Stephen, our first ever Trustpilot reviewer! We were so chuffed to read this:
"It delivers all the benefits of my previous furled mono leaders but far more so. The new leader is softer and more flexible. It does not twist as much. Accuracy is greater. Delicacy and stealth of presentation are far greater... I am now a convert. Highly recommended."
Have you tried our leaders? Leave a review, Ah! Go on! It makes a real difference to us every day. Whether it prompts us to make a celebratory cup of tea or look at what we can do better, Thank you, truly.
Here's to the next generation enjoying the rivers as much as we do / did!
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