Hey newfie
Do you have any more info on how you set up those iceline loops. That sounds like a good idea.
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Who has time for stress when there are fish to catch.
Nick
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Hey newfie
Do you have any more info on how you set up those iceline loops. That sounds like a good idea.
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Who has time for stress when there are fish to catch.
Nick
Used those little metal connectors for many years. For some unknown reason I have switched over to nail knots. Was very fortunate to connect with way over my share of really big fish with the metal connectors and only ever had one break. When looking closely at remaining portion it was plain some rust had set in. No ones fault but mine. I would have no problem going back to them.
Yes Sir, just take some ice fishing line and form a loop at the end of your fly line, I then begin to wrap both materials together with 8/0 uni thread. The reason I use 8/0 is because of its fine diameter, it tends to bite into the fly line for a better hold. Wrap it tightly but not enough to snap the thread this will give the bite. Just remember to wrap closest to your fingers at any one time this is the stiffest portion of the wrap, move fingers accordingly. Just keep wrapping until the 2 materials are secured then cut away the excess portion of the ice fishing line. Then continue to wrap materials until the fly line and ice fishing line is very well covered. Give it a couple of whip finishes, add the super glue, let dry.
Once the super glue is dry I give it a couple of thin coats of head cement for protection.
[url=http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c196/IslandBrookTrout/leaderloop5.jpg:bc8db]http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c196/IslandBrookTrout/leaderloop5.jpg[/url:bc8db]
later Mike
[This message has been edited by Newfoundlander (edited 14 December 2005).]
[This message has been edited by Newfoundlander (edited 14 December 2005).]
Thanks
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Who has time for stress when there are fish to catch.
Nick
Used the little metal "eyed lag screws" yrs ago.
Then went to nail knots.
Later progressed into epoxy splices.
Finally ,I discovered loop to loop connectors.
Best system I've found yet!
PS, Jim stop cutting off the loops and try this system. You said you dont like to tie knots ..with the loop to loop you wont have to. just attach a loop connector to your fly line and away ya go!
[This message has been edited by Smernsky (edited 14 December 2005).]
Hey Plain old Jim,
By the way, I'm just Jim too. My Dad
was Mr. Hatch.*G* Wow, I didn't know that
I had opened a can of worms. If the eyelets
work well for you, by all means, use them.
I used the metal eyelet inserts for
many years. Right up until I got my first
computer and learned the knots that were
considered appropriate. I switched to the
"nailess" knot and to me it was a big
improvement over the insert. I have not
even considered going back to the inserts.
The reasons for my changing were, first
the inserts were a real pain for me to
install on the flyline. I have memories of
needle nosed pliers, hot needles, and burned
and pinched fingers. Then the eyelets
seemed to cause my line tips to sink. I'm
not sure if it was from the added weight,
or if it was easier for the water to soak
into the line tip. I was forever cleaning
and adding floatant to my line tip. I also
would experience cracking and fraying of
the line around the insert. I owned one fly
rod, reel, and line at the time, and I also
fished it inshore in the salt water for
sea trout and redfish. The eyelets did not
like the salt.
The nailess knot takes me less than a
minute to apply leader to my line. No
pinched fingers. It floats all day long.*G*
I prefer it. I'm sorry if I came off heavy
handed against the inserts. Was not my
intent. I figured I was among the last to
learn what I considered a better method of
attaching leader to line. I stand
corrected sir. By all means use what you
are comfortable with. By the way, I did try
the Scientific Anglers L2L connectors when
they first came out. I personally found
them to be a big improvement over the metal
inserts. What I particularly liked about them was ease of installing and impervious to rust from salt water. But I still prefer the nailess knot as it's nearly invisible and goes through my guides easier. Warm regards, Jim
[This message has been edited by Jim Hatch (edited 14 December 2005).]
Plain Old Jim,
I am considering going back to the no not eyes myself. I have never seen one fail and landed some pretty big fish with them. You don't need to cut the loop off of your leaders when you use these. Just insert the little metal eye through the loop on the leader, slide the leader loop up the line a little to get it out of the way, bring the tippet end of the leader up throught the eye and pull the tippet end until the loop end locks into place with the eye. You now have a loop to loop connection. This works for furled leaders as well.
After reading the many and varied opinions on line to leader connections I have reached a conclusion of my own. There is no single method that is the perfect thing. Find out what works best for you and use it. Afterall, the most important thing is that you enjoy fly fishing and attempting to tie a frustrating knot can take the enjoyment out of our sport.
Enjoy and Merry Christmas!
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Eric "nighthawk"
American veteran and proud of it!
Just to hear you whine, Ray! :lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by Ray Knows-All
Jim Hatch...you didn't come off as to hard on eyelets. I just was wondering what I was missing in the issue. I have seen the fraying at the needle end of the eylet, and the flat spot it creates in the line at that point. I hadn't thought about the water getting inside the line. It's sort of a toss up. You can put one of those eylets in and fish a couple of seasons without having to tie any other kind of knots. Or you can probably have a better set up and tie lots of knots.
Nice tip Nighthawk on the loop to loop connection. Thanks. And good last comment. When you are standing there frustated more and more with cold hands and freezing fingers trying to tie a knot......it does take a lot of fun out of it. The point is to enjoyh it huh?
I wasn't trying to convince anyone else to use them. Just wondered what was so bad about them. Now I have heard a lot a stuff. I am thinking about trying the various recommended knots now. Thanks to everybody. Seems like when I asked people in the local fly club I would just kinda get a blank stare. I don't think the guys knew why they didn't use them! So they were just speechless. For a lot of them I think it was just that.....tradition....I think Tim Murphy honestly nailed it....(pun intended). But I know a lot more now. Some guys like me you really gotta explain it for me to catch on. You gotta get a bigger bat to beat it into me.
By the way, I remember the eylets I didn't like and I think they are the Wal Mart.....South Bend?....whereas the true No-Knot brand is good.
Thanks again everybody. I appreciate the shared wisdom.
Gem
[This message has been edited by Plain Old Jim (edited 14 December 2005).]
Hey Gem,
I think it's safe to say that it's all
pretty much personal preference. If you ask
around, there is no one answer to what is
best. If you like the metal eyelet, by all
means use it. It sounds as if it has served
you well for a long time.
My personal favorite is the "nailess"
knot for attaching a leader to my line. I
do not like the loops on the end of my fly
line required for some of the other methods.
It's quick and easy, very strong, and does
not require a tool as does a standard nail
knot. A quick google search will provide a
number of patterns for it.
The Castwell knot appears to be about
as simple as they come and JC swears by it.
I'm sure he's right, but again, I don't like
a loop on the end of my flyline. You can
find the Castwell knot here: [url=http://www.flyanglersonline.com/begin/knots/index.html:cbfe3]http://www.flyanglersonline.com/begin/knots/index.html[/url:cbfe3]
I did try one of JC's recommended knots
today, the figure 8 knot. I had used it as
a stopper knot for many years for sailing
but never to join two lines together. I was
very favorably impressed with it and quickly
turned out several leaders to play with. So
you can teach an old dog new tricks.*G* I
learned one today. Use whatever method you
are comfortable with and while I'm at it,
have a very Merry Christmas. Warm regards,
Jim