Carry your free drifting leaders the easy way!
I thought that it was time now again to share another one of my tips with the board. Lots of fishermen have used this "basic concept" method before, in there own boats, but very few have figured out a way that they could take it with them when they go out fishing in their buddies boat. It also has great benefits in your own boat too!
I have been using this method for well over 12 years now, and I was even using it before a different "stationary" version was being used by a few of the guides on the Cowlitz. I developed It for the most part for the style of free drifting that was done here, and the amount leader that we were useing daily. This method is unique because it makes the "leader roller" method "portable". and you can take it wherever you go!
All you need to do is to go to any good paint store, hardware store or a place like home depot. All it is; is a 9" paint roller that is set inside of a plastic spatter shield with a handle that can be screwed on to an extension rod. The picture will show that it is minus the removable handle. I do not like the "snap on handle", so I remove them as soon as I get the new roller. The last time I bought one, it cost me about $5 for the whole thing (paint roller included). The paint roller will make a great gift for your wife.
The manufacture that made mind was called "Shur-Line", but I am sure that the same product is made by numerous other manufactures by now (see picture #1 & #2). All you need to do is to pick up a couple of pieces of some pipe foam insulation that will fit a 1 ½ outside dimension (OD) inch pipe. That is the same inside dimensions (ID) of that of a standard size 9" paint roller is. The pipe foam usually comes in 6 foot lengths and it also comes in different outside thicknesses (OD), i.e. 2" and 2 ½ inches.
Picture #1
Picture #2
Next, you need to cut them off in 9 " sections to match the length of the paint roller. The insulated foam comes with a partial cut that runs lenght ways through the middle of the foam so that you can break it apart and wrap it around the pipe. DO NOT break this section! Just cut them in 9" pieces. Next, depending on what size hooks or other things i.e. corkies or wing bobbers that you may want to add to your pre wrapped leaders, you need to lay the piece of foam that has the pre cut line "face up". Depending on the size and the amount of pre tied leaders that you wan may want to put on the foam, you need to make a small "slice" (like cutting a bread loaf) across the foam (see picture #3) I make them about 3/8 apart
Picture #3
Make sure that you DO NOT cut all the way through the foam. You only need to make it about ¼ to 3/16 deep of an inch deep. This slice is used to start and hold the loose end of your leader and it also helps keep your leader wrapped in a uniform line around on the foam. This will allow you to wrap as many as 30 leaders with #4, or #2, hooks for steelhead free drifting, and up to 20 # 5/0 or double hooks for salmon fishing (see picture #4) It also work great for double hook mooching rigs too.
Picture #4
If you use hooks that are larger then # 1/0, you will need to use the "smaller size 2" OD foam so that the large hooks do not hit the inside of the plastic shield when you pull them off the roller. Picture #4 shows one roller with #4 and one with #5/0 hooks. All you need to is to take the 9" piece of pipe foam and start wrapping the cut off end of each leader around the foam starting with the end of your untied lined (other end of the hook). Place the line into the "slice" and continue to wrap your line around the foam until you come to your hook. Pull it a little snugger and push you hook into the foam. Always try to wrap all of your leaders around the foam in the "same direction" It really doesn't make any difference if it's clock wise or counter clock wise, as long as they are all wrapped in the same direction! (see picture #5)
Picture #5
Once you have all your leaders wrapped, all you need to do is to snap in the 1 ½ roller caps into each end of the foam tube and then snap each end into the plastic shield and you're ready to pull a pre tied leader off in seconds! (see pictures #6, 7, 8) All you need to do is to hold the shield in one hand and pull the hook out of the foam and line just spins off the roll as you pull on it. Your line stay straight, and your hook doesn't get snagged into anything when you pulling it off the roller
Picture #6
Picture #7
Picture #8
When I was guiding, this was always my preferred method to store and carry my leaders. When free drifting with 10 or 8 pound line, it was not uncommon for each person to loose 20 or more leaders in a days fishing. Another benefit of using this roller system is that your foam rollers won't blow out of your boat while you are running on the water, or even when you're towing it on the trailer! Anyone who has ever used the "plain old foam tubing" will know what I mean!
I hope this new method that I have developed will work as well for you as it has for me over the past 12 years! Happy New years, and I hope you enjoy the tackle tip!
Cowlitzfisherman
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