How to Make a Furled or Twined Fly Leader Board

The furled leader is constructed by weaving multiple strands of monofilament fishing line. The leader is tapered and the woven design is strong, durable and absorbs shock better than a single strand of leader. The furled leader construction requires a leader board with a system of pegs and hooks at specific intervals. The board is time consuming to construct and the measurements must be accurate to ensure that the leader has an even taper. A well constructed leader board lasts for a lifetime and can be built with inexpensive or recycled materials.

Things You'll Need

  • 1-by-4 board
  • Skill saw
  • 1-1/2 inch screws
  • Drill
  • Cup hooks
  • Hammer
  • 1/16-inch drill bit
  • 1-inch diameter wooden dowels
  • Wood glue
  • 3/4-inch screws
  • 3 oz. ball sinker
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure a 10-foot section of 1-by-4 board. Cut the board with a skill saw. Cut an additional foot of 1-by-4 four and fix it against the end of long board as a header. Use two 1-1/2-inch screws and a drill to connect the base of the header to the long board.

    • 2

      Place two threaded cup hooks 2 inches apart on the center of the header. Tap the hook end of each with a hammer to drive the point into the board. Hand twist the hooks to complete the attachment.

    • 3

      Turn the board on its side. Use a tape measure and pencil to mark the board at 3-inch, 48-inch, 62-inch, 74-inch, 88-inch and 114-inch intervals. Measure and mark each measurement an inch from the alternating ends of the board until you reach the final 114-inch mark. Make two marks measuring an inch in from each side of the board. Make all of the measured marks on each surface of the board.

    • 4

      Pre-drill a hole through each of the measurements, using a 1/16-inch drill bit. Drill through the bottom of the board to prepare for the screws.

    • 5

      Cut eight 1-inch diameter wooden dowels to 3 inches in length. Use the 1/16-inch drill bit to pre-drill a 1/2-inch hole through the bottom of each wooden dowel.

    • 6

      Screw a 1-1/2-inch wood screw through the bottom of each hole on the board. Apply a thin layer of wood glue to the hole on each dowel and hand twist the dowels on the tips of each screw.

    • 7

      Measure 6 inches on the inside of the two parallel dowels. The parallel dowels are on the opposite end of the hooks. Drill one 3/4-inch screw in alignment with each dowel. Leave a quarter-inch on the head of each screw exposed.

    • 8

      Straighten a paper clip and feed the end through the loop on a 3-ounce ball sinker. Twist the end of the paper clip to form a loop and hook the loop around the head of the screw. Repeat for the remaining screw head. The weight is used for tension during the leader winding process.