Fishing trips and touring throughout Scotland

Best fishing near Edinburgh, River Tay, Scottish rivers, Best leader of salmon, Salmon rivers in Scotland, Salmon fishing, Spey Casting, River Tay
Spey Casting on the middle River Tay near Dunkeld

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Fluorocarbon – Expensive and the best leader for salmon? read on..

If you’ve wondered what the best leader for salmon fishing would be, for salmon fishing, then read on.

In the last 10 years, there’s a rise on popularity of Fluorocarbon leaders for salmon. Seeing that, Fluorocarbon offers great relative strength to diameter over monofilament line. Fluorocarbon line is also non porous, so less likely to degrade. Naturally this means your spool will last, which offers good value.

It’s claimed that Fluorocarbon is more resistant to abrasion. However, I have not found that to be the case. Whereas mono has elasticity, Fluorocarbon can have a tendency to snap as it is more brittle. 

Given that is is good practice to change your leader at the start of every salmon trip. I see little point in Fluorocarbon as a choice for salmon fishing on the Tay. 

Best leader for salmon, Maxima, ultra green, chameleon
Maxima Ultragreen and Chameleon, does what it say on the tin.

Maxima Ultragreen – is this the best leader for salmon?

Firstly, Maxima Ultragreen is a supple and softer monofilament than Maxima Chameleon. Provided that you are fishing in a river with relatively clear water, this would be a good choice, as it would be nearly invisible. In fact light rays are absorbed by this line, rather than reflected.

Furthermore, Maxima manufacture this line with a special coating, which offers extra abrasion resistance. Along with all of these features, the known strength of Ultragreen is excellent. Obviously we would always recommend using saliva when tying a knot, to avoid abrasion. 

River Spey, Ghillie, Salmon Fishing, Speyside, Gordon Castle, Salmon Fly, Spey casting, Best leader for salmon
A ghillie on the Spey ties on a fresh cast of Chameleon. Ideal for the peaty water of the River Spey.

Maxima Chameleon – Great leader material for peat stained water

To begin with, Maxima Chameleon is tinted a darker colour than Chameleon, and is therefore great in peat stained water. The dark colour of the line is info red sensitive and therefore blends in with surroundings and becomes invisible. In contrast to brittle fluorocarbon, Chameleon has a wonderful blend of strength and elasticity. With this in mind, your are less likely to suffer long distance catch and release, when playing a decent salmon.

Maxima 10lb – 15lb is best for fly fishing, though you may want to go to 18lb or 20lb in the early spring or Autumn. When spin casting salmon fishing on the Tay 18lb and 20lb breaking strain are the best choice. 

Lastly both these Maxima lines offer great value over Fluorocarbon. In conclusion, Maxima is our best choice for salmon fishing any river in Scotland, including the River Tay. Ultra Green for clear water and Chameleon for peat stained.