Furled Tapered Leaders


Frequently Asked Questions About Furled Tapered Leaders (FTL)


  • Because of their great taper, FTL leaders transfer energy from the fly line to the tippet much more evenly.
  • Extremely long lifespan (far longer than mono leaders). An FTL easily lasts an entire season, often even longer. You only replace the tippet.
  • Their furled structure works like a shock absorber, allowing you to use thinner tippets without the fish tear off.
  • FTL leaders have no memory that would interfere with casting or fly presentation. The whole system stays straight as an arrow, which also means faster hook-sets.
  • FTL leaders float better on the water surface. Their larger volume creates more surface resistance, helping them stay afloat.

No. Unlike monofilament leaders that kink just from sitting on a spool or in packaging, FTL leaders are made from multiple fine strands twisted into a stable structure.This furled construction doesn't “remember” curved shape, so it stays straight even after being spooled, crumpled, or used in cold water.

Fairy River floating FTL leaders are made of floating monofilament, so they do not need to be treated with floatant at the beginning. Later, if dirt gets into the fibers, you can apply any floatant to improve their floating performance.

If you want perfect floatation—apply floatant before you start fishing.

During the session, re-apply every few hours if needed.

Choose the model based on river size, fly size (and weight), fish species, fishing style, and your fly-casting ability. Pick the option that best fits your conditions.

Adding tippet is simple—use a loop-to-loop connection or tie your preferred knot.

Use a longer tippet (about 1.5 m) when fishing clear water, small flies, or shallow rivers. Otherwise, you can use a shorter tippet.

A single FTL leader can be used for multiple seasons if you maintain it and don’t damage the fibers.

If it gets frayed on rocks or river obstacles—don’t risk it and replace it with a new one.

The optimal FTL length depends on what you’re aiming for.In short:

  • If you want precision—use a shorter leader.
  • If you want delicate and gently presentation—use a longer leader.

General guidelines:

  • Longer FTL for spooky fish, delicate presentation, dry-fly fishing, lake fishing, and calm conditions without wind.
  • Shorter FTL for streamer fishing, larger flies, small streams, beginners, or when you need more accurate casting.

Products

We carry a full line of handmade furled tapered leaders for every possible technique a fly fisherman would want. Click "Learn More" on any product to see detailed specifications and recommendations.


Leader: Trout

Leader: Trout

Floating

Tapered furled leader • Loop to loop connection

Lengths: 1.8m, 2.1m, 2.4m, 2.7m

Buy Now

Technical Specifications

TROUT tapered furled leaders are made from high quality floating monofilament. They enable the precise placement of artificial fly to the location you want. It also allows for proper guidance of the fly. With fly line, and with the tippet also, it connects with loop to loop connection.

Trout leader diagram

Select the length and thickness of the tippet depending on the fishing conditions - the size of the watercourse or the size of the fly.

Is this the right leader for you?

If dry fly fishing is your passion, if you go into a trance watching a rising fish tucked behind a rock, if you track your perfectly floating fly with the focus of a hawk—the Trout leader is your go-to choice.

Made of floating monofilament, the Trout leader ensures that your dry fly rides the surface flawlessly. It straightens beautifully on the water (no slack line), giving you the fastest and most effective hook-sets.

Keep in mind:

  • Shorter leaders work best on small, clear streams and with larger flies or windy conditions.
  • Longer leaders are ideal for bigger rivers or lakes, smaller flies, and more subtle fly presentations.

Both ends of the leader have loops for quick leader changes or easy tippet attachment.

Leader: Grayling

Leader: Grayling

Floating

Tapered furled leader • Loop to loop connection

Lengths: 2.4m, 2.7m, 3.0m

Buy Now

Technical Specifications

GRAYLING tapered furled leaders are made from high quality floating monofilament. They enable the precise placement of artificial fly to the location you want. It also allows for proper guidance of the fly. With fly line, and with the tippet also, it connects with loop to loop connection.

Grayling leader diagram

Select the length and thickness of the tippet depending on the fishing conditions - the size of the watercourse or the size of the fly.

Is this the right leader for you?

Fishing large, gin-clear rivers with tiny dries or emergers can be a nightmare. The Grayling leader solves that problem instantly.

It's thinner and longer than the Trout model, giving you maximum stealth and ultra-delicate presentation. It is also made from floating nylon.

Use it when the fish are extra spooky, selective, and cautious.

Keep in mind:

  • Shorter leaders are better for small, clear streams and bigger flies or windy days.
  • Longer leaders help on larger rivers (or lakes), fishing with small flies, or whenever you need a very subtle presentation.

Both ends have loops for quick changes and easy tippet attachment.

Leader: Czech Nymph

Leader: Czech Nymph

Floating High Viz Sighter

Tapered furled leader • Tippet ring connection

Lengths: 2.4m, 2.7m, 3.0m

Buy Now

Technical Specifications

CZECH NYMPH tapered furled leaders are made from quality floating monofilament. It is intended exclusively for fly fishing with heavy nymphs. With fly line it connects with loop to loop connection, and on the end of the leader there is tippet ring, so at this point connect the tippet with the appropriate node.

Czech Nymph leader diagram

The end of the leader is very visible for better detect of fish strike. Tippet ring at the end of the leader for better connection with tippet.

Is this the right leader for you?

Once you discover nymphing, you rarely go back to the surface—you finally see what's really happening underwater. While we stare at dry flies waiting for "the moment," trout are feasting below, taking more than 90% of their food under the surface.

FR Czech Nymph is the leader you use when you stop guessing and start fishing smart.

Designed for standard rods (9' #5), this leader is tapered but extremely light, helping you cast heavy nymphs without tangles.

The final section is made from highly visible orange material (sighter), so you don't need extra strike indicators.

Bonus tips:

  • Your tippet should be slightly longer (up to 30%) than the part of the river you are fishing.
  • Because furled leaders absorb shock better, you can safely use thinner tippet than usual.
Leader: Pike/Musky

Leader: Pike/Musky

Fluorocarbon

Tapered furled leader • Loop to loop connection

Lengths: 1.5m, 1.8m, 2.1m

Buy Now

Technical Specifications

PIKE / MUSKY tapered furled leaders are made from high quality fluorocarbon material. They enable the precise placement of artificial fly to the location you want. It is intended for fly fishing large predator fishes.

Pike/Musky leader diagram

Select the length and thickness of the tippet depending on the fishing conditions. For fly fishing with this leaders we recommend fly line 6-9 weight.

Is this the right leader for you?

So—you're hunting big game, huh? Picture this: Fishing from a boat on a windy day, heavy gear in your hands, clear water only a few meters deep, anything could explode from the submerged weeds.

That's exactly what the Pike/Musky leader is built for—strong, durable, and tough. Its pronounced taper helps you cast even the biggest, heaviest streamers with precision.

Made from fluorocarbon, it's less visible in water, sinks faster than monofilament, and is much more abrasion-resistant.

And don't let the name fool you—you can use this leader for bass, trout, walleye, and more.

Loops on both ends allow fast leader changes or easy tippet attachment.

Leader: Super Fine

Leader: Super Fine

Floating

Tapered furled leader • Loop to loop connection

Lengths: 1.5m, 1.8m

Buy Now

Technical Specifications

SUPER FINE tapered furled leaders are made from high quality floating monofilament. They enable the precise placement of artificial fly to the location you want. It also allows for proper guidance of the fly.

Super Fine leader diagram

It is intended for fly fishing on smaller streams and with fly line 2-5 weight. Select the length and thickness of the tippet depending on the fishing conditions.

Leader: Sinking

Leader: Sinking

Sinking

Tapered furled leader • Loop to loop connection

Lengths: 1.5m, 1.8m, 2.1m, 2.4m

Buy Now

Technical Specifications

SINKING tapered furled leaders are made from high quality sinking monofilament. They enable the precise placement of artificial fly to the location you want.

Sinking leader diagram

Because of its sinking characteristic, it is intended for fly fishing with underwater flies or streamers.

Is this the right leader for you?

Early morning. You're standing on the bank. The water is crystal-clear and low. You spot a big trout—smart as a college graduate in these conditions. No insects in the air. The only logical choice: a small streamer.

A floating leader is out of the question—it would disturb the surface and make the streamer move unrealistically.

This is where your new partner in crime steps in: the Sinking Furled Tapered Leader.

Use it when you want your small streamer to sink fast, smoothly, and without drag. Cast, count to three—and bam—the streamer works the moment it starts swimming naturally.

In short—if you don't have one, you're missing opportunities.

Leader: Fluorocarbon 0-3X

Leader: Fluorocarbon 0-3X

Sinking Fluorocarbon

Tapered furled leader • Loop to loop connection

Lengths: 1.5m, 1.8m, 2.1m

Buy Now

Technical Specifications

FLUOROCARBON 0-3X tapered furled leaders are made from high quality fluorocarbon material. Because of its sinking characteristic, it is intended for fly fishing with underwater flies or streamers.

Fluorocarbon 0-3X leader diagram

Used in pair with fly line 5-7 weight.

Is this the right leader for you?

This leader is designed for lake fishing and subsurface presentations. Most commonly used with wet flies, emergers, or nymphs. Slow retrieves and long pauses often bring the best results.

Another ideal situation is wet-fly fishing on a river using the swing method.

  • Fluorocarbon is heavier than water, so it won't lift your fly too high or out of the strike zone.
  • Its refractive index is almost identical to water, making it nearly invisible—perfect for pressured, spooky, or selective fish.
  • Fluorocarbon is more abrasion-resistant than monofilament: less damage, less tearing, more fish.
Leader: Fluorocarbon 4-6X

Leader: Fluorocarbon 4-6X

Sinking Fluorocarbon

Tapered furled leader • Loop to loop connection

Lengths: 1.5m, 1.8m, 2.1m

Buy Now

Technical Specifications

FLUOROCARBON 4-6X tapered furled leaders are made from high quality fluorocarbon material. Because of its sinking characteristic, it is intended for fly fishing with underwater flies or streamers.

Fluorocarbon 4-6X leader diagram

Used in pair with fly line 3-5 weight.

Is this the right leader for you?

This leader is designed for lake fishing and subsurface presentations. Most commonly used with wet flies, emergers, or nymphs.

  • Fluorocarbon is heavier than water, keeping your fly in the strike zone.
  • Nearly invisible in water—perfect for selective fish.
  • More abrasion-resistant than monofilament.

Both models have loops on each end for quick setup and fast tippet changes.

Leader: Traditional

Leader: Traditional

Floating

Tapered furled leader • Loop to loop connection

Lengths: 1.8m, 2.1m

Buy Now

Technical Specifications

TRADITIONAL tapered furled leaders are made from quality thread. They enable the precise placement of artificial fly to the location you want. For better floating it needs to be lubricated before use.

Traditional leader diagram

Is this the right leader for you?

Long before carbon fiber, WF lines, and perfectly engineered rods, fly fishing was pure magic—just a human, a bit of thread, and a few feathers picked up along the river.

The FR Traditional leader is designed in the spirit of that era.

Made from thread that's abrasion-resistant and durable even under sunlight, modern materials make this leader strong and long-lasting.

Remember to apply floatant before fishing for best performance.

Leader: Practice Only

Leader: Practice Only

High Viz

Tapered furled leader • Loop to loop connection

Length: 2.7m

Buy Now

Technical Specifications

PRACTICE ONLY tapered furled leaders are made from high quality and very visible red monofilament. They enable the precise placement of artificial fly to the location you want.

It is intended primarily for fly casting exercise. On the end of the tippet is located brightly colored nylon yarn, so it is easy to see.

We recommend using this leader in pair with fly line 4-6 weight.

Leader: Tenkara Classic

Leader: Tenkara Classic

Suspending

Tapered furled leader • Loop to loop connection

Lengths: 3.2m, 3.6m, 4.0m

Buy Now

Technical Specifications

TENKARA CLASSIC tapered furled leaders are made from high quality monofilament. They enable the precise placement of artificial fly to the location you want. It also allows for proper guidance of the fly.

Tenkara Classic leader diagram

Tenkara leaders are intended exclusively for fishing with tenkara fly rods. Depending on the length of your tenkara rod, select the appropriate length of the leader.

Leader: Tenkara High Viz

Leader: Tenkara High Viz

High Viz

Tapered furled leader • Loop to loop connection

Lengths: 3.2m, 3.6m, 4.0m

Buy Now

Technical Specifications

TENKARA HI VIZ tapered furled leaders are made from high quality monofilament. The bright color of the HI VIZ leader allows for its better visibility.

Tenkara High Viz leader diagram

Tenkara leaders are intended exclusively for fishing with tenkara fly rods. Depending on the length of your tenkara rod, select the appropriate length of the leader.

Leader: Tenkara Expert

Leader: Tenkara Expert

Suspending

Tapered furled leader • Loop to loop connection

Lengths: 3.2m, 3.6m, 4.0m

Buy Now

Technical Specifications

TENKARA EXPERT tapered furled leaders are made from high quality monofilament. They are designed for advanced fly fisherman and more demanding fishing conditions.

Tenkara Expert leader diagram

Tenkara leaders are intended exclusively for fishing with tenkara fly rods. Depending on the length of your tenkara rod, select the appropriate length of the leader.