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I've heard several people talk about splicing a fly line, but I've never seen written directions or heard how to do it. Does anyone here know how it's done, or where I can find written directions?
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Life, is the time He gave you to determine where you want to spend eternity.
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Lotech Joe
Funny, I was thinking about this the other day. I hooked a pretty huge rainbow who almost tore my rod apart after he took a final run with my line leader connection inside (and stuck on) my tip. I found a pretty good set of instructions here [url=http://www.danblanton.com/gettinglooped.html:7f489]http://www.danblanton.com/gettinglooped.html[/url:7f489]
I was thinking about trying it, but after looking at my line - and with the decent, easily heat attachable braided loops out there - I decided against attempting it.
Back when people made their own integrated lines this was fairly common.
Mostly among the steelhead heads
Many years ago there was an article in Fly Fisherman mag about it.
As I remember a long diagonal slice was made in each section to be spliced. One to match the other.
The two sections were then sewn together.
Then the whole area was over wrapped with thread
I'm sure there was some glue of some kind and some sort of finish over the thread wraps, but that's the best I remember.
I too looked at Dan Blanton's site thinking he would have this info if anyone did.
Sorry not to be of more help.
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Chuck;
Sleep well, ol' pal..
Tomorrow will be a new day and we never know what excitement lies ahead..
Snoopy;
Actually, I can't tell one day from the other..
[This message has been edited by dudley (edited 31 May 2006).]
First, may I suggest that square knots are NOT the way to go.....at least we found them to be problematic. http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/smile.gif
We read somewhere that one cuts the lines straight. Strip the coating from one leaving the core exposed. Insert a needle up through the middle of the other line and out the side. When the hole is made insert the exposed core. Use super glue (?) as you insert the core and trim the excess core at the surface of the other line at the exit hole.
Don't know if that works.....we do differently. http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/wink.gif
....lee s.
I use the method shown on Dan Blanton's site for creating loops. Those loops are much stronger than any commercially made loop I have seen and the method of securing them with a trap nail knot is much more secure than those that use those heat shrink tubes which can come loose when the line is stretched under pressure. I have had flylines break (on large fish in give no line situations) before loops made as shown in the article gave way.
However for splicing broken lines, rather than a loop, I use just a straight piece of braided mono about 8 inches long and insert the two pieced of flyline into the braid. I then secure each end of the braid with a trap nail knot.
I have also used whipped loops which I also use for loops in the end of the line for connecting my leader. Simply trim the end of the line at an angle and fold it back over itself to make a small loop. Cover the overlap with thread wraps and add a little PlioBond to cover the wraps. So far I haven't had one come apart on me.
But for splicing a fly line back together I like tailingloops suggestions.
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Fish more, work less!
[url=http://speypages.com/customlines.html:8d4cb]http://speypages.com/customlines.html[/url:8d4cb]
Above is a link to the way steelheaders do it.
Thanks Kerry,
That sounds complicated. But, it's exactly what I was looking for. I appreciate your help.
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Life, is the time He gave you to determine where you want to spend eternity.
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Lotech Joe
Joe,
It really isn't very hard to do. I have been building my own custom spey lines for about 10 years now. It is a great way to fine tune a line to the rod and your particular casting style. After you do a couple of splices you will have it all figured out.
One tip. In the article they say to strip the line away from the core about 1 inch. I suggest you strip about 2 inches and pull the core through all the way leaving about 1 inch to pull with after you apply the glue.
Another tip. Soak the line in acetone up to the point where you want to strip the outside coating. This will soften the outside of the line and make it much easier to strip away from the core. Use about a foot of 20 or 30 lb. mono tied in a granny or over hand knot around the fly line to strip with. Just pull the knot tight right at the point where you soaked the line in acetone and strip the coating off.
If you have more questions let me know. I will help if I can.
Kerry