DIY Welded end loops

Hi,
I have been working on doing my own welded loops for the ends of my fly line. I have been successful twice, but this flappin 4 wt line I have now ins resistant! I use heat shrink tubing and a heat gun. The tubing is not shrinking around the line as well as I remember on the other ones. Is this the problem? I also have the "inch the loop end section" onto the line stuff which I find a pain to use. I don't like doing the knot at the end and want to have more versatility to change easier with my furled leaders.
Any and all thoughts appreciated!
Thanks,
Mike

I have not tried to make a welded loop, but I often make a whipped loop. I learned this from a Lefty Kreh article originally. There are good instructions at this website: http://www.ginkandgasoline.com/gink-...fly-line-loop/

Ted

I also use heat shrink tubing.
I have found that if I cut a little of the coating off the line at then end of the line and make a small "nick"
in the line where the end of the line will be put to make the loop that it makes a smaller head.
I do this very slowly with an exacto knife.

Rick

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tedshuck

I have not tried to make a welded loop, but I often make a whipped loop. I learned this from a Lefty Kreh article originally. There are good instructions at this website: http://www.ginkandgasoline.com/gink-...fly-line-loop/

Ted

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I'm with Ted and use a whipped loop. I pretty much use the procedure detailed in the link Ted provided, except that I use Pliobond (rather than Superglue). Pliobond makes for a flexible coating which is still secure and smooth. If you've tied flies, you probably have everything you need and should find it very easy to do.

Ditto on the whip finished loop.

Seem to remember that some lines were better for welded loops than others. Whatever Airflo makes theirs lines out of for example works well, but other lines less so.

Not sure it matters much for a four weight, but having tested welded loops I tend to prefer almost anything else. Whipped loops as mentioned are a much better way to go (although I just nail knot a butt section on myself), and for big lines braided loops are even better. YMMV.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by whatfly

Seem to remember that some lines were better for welded loops than others. Whatever Airflo makes theirs lines out of for example works well, but other lines less so.

Not sure it matters much for a four weight, but having tested welded loops I tend to prefer almost anything else. Whipped loops as mentioned are a much better way to go (although I just nail knot a butt section on myself), and for big lines braided loops are even better. YMMV.

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Needle knot for the win!

I have stopped even using perfection loops due to the fact that I have clients fish long (10-12') leaders very often when nymphing for fall-browns and on the Missouri. A foot of butt material plus leader, with the butt needle-knotted and coated in UV Knot Sense, then a blood knot to the leader proper, is smoother, slips through the guides easier, and does less damage to fly lines (as any loop in the fly line does) than any other connection.