Some Lead sources are clearly questionable.

Like adding not 1, not 2, but 3 potential Lead drops to Lockboxes in Bal Foyen. One of the smallest zones, where the amount of people farming for Leads is glaringly intrusive, and Lockboxes are competitive containers (unlike Urns or Jewelry Boxes). Or OP's example, of choosing Arteum, one of the smallest zones with a small shoreline to choose as a Fishing spot lead - instead of Auridon or Summerset. Or the low-drop-chance Leads in Psijic Portals, that are always farmed up anyway.

Makes one think if the devs play their game at all, or just try things on an internal TS build where nobody but they are playing. Because chasing low-drop-rate non-guaranteed RNG Leads form really tedious sources on live populated servers often leads to far more frustration than fun.

who said that you must get all the leads just here and now?

Meh, leads should drop from all contents, so, the system is mighty fine that way.
Plus, fishing for the thrassian strangler is lore appropriate.

I don't like fishing either, but still, I got them thrassian's strangler. I don't like running arena's, because they are too long, and yet, I have maelstrom weapons. I don't really enjoy running dungeons over and over, and yet, I have Zaan's. I really don't like pvp, and yet, I have a bunch of skills and need the ROTW transmute stones.

You see what I mean? You want an item? Farm it. If you don't enjoy farming it, then don't, but don't pout if you don't have the item.

Point has some merit, bedside manner leaves a lot to be desired.

What saddens me about this is that I haven't yet obtained the exclusive food recipes that come from Arteum fishing holes... with this additional complication that's going to be even tougher now.

Also, I don't mind fishing but tend to do it when I want to relax or if my friends aren't around so I agree it isn't ideal to force fishing if someone is working towards a piece of armor. I am all for making all aspects of the game more relevant but the pace of fishing doesn't mesh well with how most players grind for gear... it just isn't a good match. And it is a one piece item so it isn't like there is a substitute to swap (use the wrong weight, fire instead of lightning staff, Golden Vendor, etc.) to check it out. Literally your only option is to fish.

Fishing is a useful system for gating content. This is why it is used as an alternative to very low drop rates when they want to drive people to similar items in the Crown Store.

needs more caps