Posts by Barbara Myers

In fly fishing, your leader and tippet are more than just connections between fly line and fly. They are the critical link that makes or breaks the way your fly lands and behaves on the water. You can have the perfect cast, the deadliest fly, and flawless timing, but if your leader and tippet are not working with you, you are already at a disadvantage.

They dictate how your fly turns over, how it lands, and whether it drifts naturally. In short, your leader and tippet are the lifeline between you and the fish. That is why understanding them is a game-changer.

Hydrophilic vs. Hydrophobic: The Chemistry at Play

• Hydrophilic materials = water-loving, they absorb and hold onto moisture.
• Hydrophobic materials = water-hating, they repel it and stay dry.

We are primarily referring to traditional nylon leaders and tippets, the go-to choice for most anglers. There are some leaders in the market that are a blend of different polymers, and while they can be a bit more resistant to water absorption, they are less common.

Traditional nylon is hydrophilic by nature. During a day of fishing, it can soak up nearly 8% of its weight in water. That is enough to drag your leader below the surface, cause it to belly out, and throw off your drift.

Moisture or water that is absorbed into the nylon polymer also wants to hydrogen bond. The hydrogen in water bonds to the oxygen in the nylon chain, while the oxygen in water bonds to the hydrogen in the chain. This dual interaction makes nylon especially prone to capturing and holding water molecules, which increases its tendency to sink.

Surface level moisture can generally be removed by drying for 3-4 hours. If the water is absorbed deeply into the polymer chains, more time is needed; sometimes in excess of 24 hours to allow for the hydrogen bonds to be broken and the water molecules to diffuse to the surface.

Now add braided or furled leaders into the mix. They are popular because that braided pattern gives them extra flexibility and smooth turnover. But that same design is their downfall. The woven construction creates tiny channels that act like a sponge, trapping water and sinking even faster than standard nylon. Instead of crisp, floating turnover, you are dealing with soggy spaghetti that resists clean mends.

Enter HND Paste Floatant: The Fix!

This is where HND Paste Floatant comes in, developed and tested by HND Fishing to:

• Coat and seal your leader, including those tricky furled ones.
• Create a hydrophobic barrier so water rolls off instead of soaking in.
• Add buoyancy to tippets and leaders.
• Be environmentally friendly and VOC free, safe for you and the waters.
• Stay effective longer, holding up to repeated casts and surface tension.
• Treat larger flies and terrestrials.

Think of it as a protective shield that flips your hydrophilic nylon into a hydrophobic performer. Suddenly, your leader floats where it belongs, on top of the water, and you are back in full control of your fly.

Why It Matters

• Natural drifts: No more drag from a waterlogged belly.
• Sharper mends: Leaders stay high, making mending easier.
• Quicker hook sets: A floating connection means faster, cleaner strikes

Final Word

Your leader and tippet are the unsung MVPs of fly fishing. Do not let their natural chemistry undermine your day on the water. With HND Paste Floatant, you neutralize their hydrophilic weakness and keep your system tight, buoyant, and fish-ready. HND Tested. Guide Approved!