Today we continue our Ask The Experts series, in which we pose questions somehow related to fly fishing to our panel of expert anglers.
Got a question you’d like to ask our expert panel? Leave a comment on this post, or send us an email at info@denekistaging.wpengine.com. Our experts are at your disposal.
The question we asked our expert panel this week was “What’s your favorite leader material for chasing big fish in fresh water? Why?”
We knew there was an obvious answer or two, but were still surprised when 7 out of our 8 experts responded with Maxima Ultragreen.
We professed our love for the stuff in this post a couple months back…it looks like the experts agree.
Here’s what a few of our experts have to say about Maxima Ultragreen.
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“My favorite leader material for big fish in fresh water is Maxima Ultragreen in either 10 or 15 lbs. It’s tough, it’s strong, and supple enough for good knot ‘grip’. It’s also fairly easy to find nearly anywhere when you run out. That includes your fishing buddies’ boat bag or fanny pack.”
[Note: Charles has been known to loan out spare spools of Maxima to folks who run out…like we did on the Dean last week…]
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, the definitive modern book on steelhead fishing.“Maxima! As they say, ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’ Maxima has never let me down. It’s strong, tough, and reliable. I generally use the Ultragreen, but when I make long tapered leaders for dry line work it’s stiff Chameleon down to the tippet which is Ultragreen. I get great turnover with some personal aesthetic appeal.
Strong? I could winch my driftboat out of the Skagit River with 15 lb Maxima.”
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“I’m going to guess that overwhelming response will be Maxima Ultragreen. Really, is there any other choice? It’s supple, strong, abrasion resistant, wears a nice groove in the teeth and tastes better than any material out there. Oh, did I mention it’s really strong?”
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“I like long shot spools of 15 lb. Maxima because, well, it’s Maxima. It’s got great abrasion resistance, stays fresh in my bag and it knots well. Seems like you’re either happy with Maxima or you’re experimenting with something else temporarily, then coming back to Maxima. “
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Let us know what you’d like to ask the experts!
been using maxima since the 75, as in 1975………back in the spinning rod days too. consistent, supple, knot strength, and best of all affordable!
Hey dudes, Big Phil and I will be back at camp last week of June. I have tried Seagur in Russia, 35/30/25/23.5 pound test but from time to time I get unexplained breakages, After visiting Kanektok, I bought Maxima Ultragreen and now use it exclusively, although I might give Chameleon a go for surface tricks like mousing, bombers, muddlers and riffling hitch. Russia in two weeks, so scope to experiment. See y’all soon !!!
Hi Philip, thanks very much for stopping by! We’re looking forward to seeing you this summer.
Hi Andrew,
Can I recommend a good single malt whisky (note no “e” in the spelling) for your insomnia !!! 3.18 am ?!!!!!!
Best wishes.
Philip
Dec….don’t hold your rod up the blank unless you have stock in a rod company that does’t guarantee their rods.
I also have used Maxima Line for leader and main line. I have always been pleased with the result. I have been told recently that Maxima also makes a Fluorocarbon Line that works well for leaders. Do the experts have any thoughts on this subject and also advice on where the line is sold.
Maxima has been the go-to leader/tippet material for Atlantic Salmon
since 1971 in the Northeast and it is gaining fame in Russia (PONOI RIVER)..
I agree that Maxima Ultragreen is the best, but the spools are terrible. Any suggestions other than using wide rubber bands saved from grocery store produce?
I have the same problem and read somewhere the answer…..and it works……go to your drug store or dollar store and get some hair tie backs…..they make them in colors so you can color code your spools and know what is what……also, they make them in rounded and flat….get the flat…..hope this helps
Thanks. Great idea. I came across the same idea yesterday in the current “Fly Fisherman” magazine. I also thought of salvaging the bands with the brass eyelet that come with Rio and other tippet spools, and plan to reload the smaller Maxima spools from the 200 m spools.
The biggest reason Maxima is so popular is the fact its diameter is larger than it states…sometimes by .002 Beyond that fact it performs well.
My fishing buddies and I have been using Maxima Chameleon for a few years. Personally I like it because I thought it was a bit stiffer and more resistant to wind knots? I have some of the ultragreen and will be giving it an honest try in Alaska this fall after reading this.
Thanks for the helpful comments and tips.
Maxima chameleon always has done the job. It is strong, knots don’t break, and importantly I can see the line. Never have I tried the Ultra Green – why – If it ain’t broke why change. Tried others always come back to Maxima Chameleon-always…
Geo…
If you guys like Maxima tippit your gonna love Maxima Tapered Leaders
Chameleon butt Ultragreen Tippet
not sure if you can get them in the States. Cant get them in the UK but have found them on the internet from EUROPE