FURLED LEADERS

Talk to fishmonger... he's the man when it comes to these.

i used them.  they're best when dry fly fishing slightly stained water.  some come waxed and will float nicely, or you can apply some gink to them.  they help if you're using a long leader as well.  i have sworn off braided orvis leaders.  they're a pain in my****  they tangle very easily with any wind.
 
but like said previously, try one

yes and no.  i feel with all extra things going on with the leader theres more room for error.  especially with wind.
 
but human error is a factor as well. 

yes, i've used both. 
 
i stated that i've used the furreled with moderate success.
 
braided with little success due to human error. 
 
any more for trout i go with a 4 or 6# vanish 5 foot leader and tie on tippet from there. 
for smallies its been #12 leader with 6# leader. 

Also, furled leaders seem easier to cast than single-stranded tapered...

anyone else think so?

i usually just tie my own tapered leaders (not single strand but...) and use the knots to rubon the float paste if i want it to float

works good enough..

My buddy Mike and I make our own furled leaders. We got the plans for the jig and instructions from the internet. It was from the "Hatches" site, if I remember correctly. We make them out of Unithread, monofilament, flourocarbon line, nylon thread from Sewing/craft stores, and even silk. They come out about 52", with a three stage taper. Initially, I attached mine to my fly line "loop to loop", but recently, I have been using "Leader links" from Eagle Claw. They look like little plastic footballs. You put your fly line through one end, knot it, and pull it back. Same thing with the furled leader. If I'm nymphing, I put a very small Blackbird barrrel swivel (gottem from Fish USA) and for dries, I just do the loop to loop. I use Gink floatant, and when I treat a furled leader it floats like cork. The ones that we make are soft and limp, especially the ones from UniThread. I went through two of these during the Steelhead season, cut one on a rock at Walnut. I love using them. They stretch, taking shock away from your tippet and knots. You save a lot on tippet also. I usually only use a two foot piece when fishing for pelletheads around home. I've been using a new 3 wt. since March. I'm still on the first furled leader that I put on when I got the outfit. As far as casting, since they are nice and limp, they straighten out nicely when laying down a dry fly. I do see some wear after nymphing or running streamers. I have used dubbing wax, and it helped to "tighten up" the frayed area. We have a ball when we get together to make up leaders. They don't always work out, but we are getting pretty good at it.

Nothing works as well as well as a properly tapered mono leader nail knotted onto your flyine. Forget the furled leaders, store bought leader/line connectors, and swivels and learn to tie knots, and taper & repair your leaders without the shortcuts.

do you nymph for pike and musky?

pshhh. purist.