Favorite Leaders for Salmon?
 

I'll be heading to Quebec again this summer for a week of Atlantic salmon fishing. The run consists of about half grilse of 4-6 lb and half salmon of 9-16 lb, with an occasional larger fish over 20 lb.

When I started out salmon fishing about 15 years ago, everyone seemed to prefer hand-tied Maxima Chameleon leaders and tippet. However, the last time I went (in 2011), my local fly shop did not carry any salmon-specific tackle, so I bought some 9' saltwater leaders and matching saltwater tippet of 8, 10, and 12 lb test. It seemed to work fine.

So I'm curious: if you have been fishing for Atlantic salmon for a while, what kind of leader and tippet do you prefer, and why? Does it make a difference?

Re: Favorite Leaders for Salmon?
 

I still tie my own 9' leaders from Maxima Chameleon for my single handers, and am going to fool around with making them for my 2 handers as well. I currently use either Rio's steelhead and salmon leader (12 and 15 footers; 6 or 8 pound tippet) or airflo's poly leaders with 8 pound tippet attached for the two handers.

For my single hand leaders, the tippet is either 6 or 8 pound test maxima, depending on water conditions and fly sizes. I have landed 20 pounders on the 6 pound tippet.

This is all for the Miramichi system.
Gary

edit: for those gin clear Gaspe waters, seems like one of maximas clear leader materials would be a better bet. Dunno, never fished anywhere but the Miramichi system for atlantics.

Re: Favorite Leaders for Salmon?
 

I'm going back up to the Karboskis' camp on the Whale, Gary. Not quite gin, but maybe light rum.

The thing I like about Maxima for salmon is its stiffness and stout diameter for a given breaking strength.

Re: Favorite Leaders for Salmon?
 

Very cool about going back to Whale River Camps. I used to live just down the road from Stan up on the Tug Hill Plateau of NY; had many great conversations with him, but never made it to Whale River. Next lifetime, maybe.

Agree wholeheartedly about Maxima Chameleon.
Gary