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The other day I was cursing up a storm trying to properly tie a nail knot. After a half dozen or so attempts I finally tied it right. I got to thinking there has to be a simplier and better way to join to pieces of line. I remember reading about 3M L2L Connectors. Can anyone comment on the pros and cons of the product?
Thanks!
TyroneFly;
I've received some of the new 3M Reconnects and will be field testing them this weekend.
I've used the L2L connectors but not enough to comment.
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Don't forget the Michigan Fish-In August 14th to the 20th. The Holy Water's of the Au Sable await you!!
Cactus
I had the same problem with tying a nail knot. What I did was I took a length (6-8 inches) of dacron backing. I doubled it over and tied it onto the end of the fly line with a nail knot(its really easy with dacron and its the last time you will need to do it) so it formed a strong loop. No I just tie a perfection loop in any leader I get and make it "shake hands" with the other loop.
I can sympathize. I've changed to a uni-knot for the line-to-leader connection, and so far I've no complaints. I will say that occasionally, I have to re-tie because the thing doesn't work right. However, I've landed chum salmon to 18 pounds or so without a knot failure.
Having said that, I used the SA L2L reconnect yesterday and it is extremely easy, and it seemed foolproof, a necessity in my boat. For what I'm doing, it's pretty slick.
Keith
I know this will come as a big surprise to many of you, but we do sometimes 'test stuff'.
I know it is a lot of work, at least 3 clicks to look for stuff; so much easier to let others 'click' for you.
[url=http://www.flyanglersonline.com/prorevw/linetoleader.html:a2f28]http://www.flyanglersonline.com/prorevw/linetoleader.html[/url:a2f28]
or just give up... [url=http://www.flyanglersonline.com/begin/knots/castwell.html:a2f28]http://www.flyanglersonline.com/begin/knots/castwell.html[/url:a2f28]
[This message has been edited by J Castwell (edited 25 April 2006).]
My concern when I say these wasn't so much would they work, but how well would they hold up. Durability, isn't so much an issue I suppose with the nominal price tag, but what about under pressure from a fish?
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dead fish don't make reel music
J Castwell
Your Castwell Knot - as a sailor I have used that knot but had learned from old sailors that you had to keep it under tension or have a long tag end. Are you saying you still use this knot where you have a loop tied in the tapered mono leader and tie the Castwell Knot with the end of a modern fly line. It does not come loose when relaxed?
We've both been using it for over 30 years, never come 'loose' or undone. Not ever.
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LadyFisher, Publisher of
FAOL
Hi:
You will do yourself a great service by learning to tie the knot. Fishing is about knots and that one (nail) is easy to do if you have a little tool to help you. Someday you'll learn to usa a whip finisher and at first you will think that was hard...then too that also shall pass. A life of L2L will only limit you in the long run.
Migs
Of course it comes loose. I am rich and tie on a new leader on every cast; doesn't everyone? Whatever you do, don't try to learn anything, just challange it all to show how sharp you are. I just put that knot in there as a joke to see if anyone would be stupid enough to even try it. Good for you! Only ten years on here and I just got found out.
Use a double-granny,,, will hold your fly line and boat every time.
"I had the same problem with tying a nail knot. What I did was I took a length (6-8 inches) of dacron backing. I doubled it over and tied it onto the end of the fly line with a nail knot(its really easy with dacron and its the last time you will need to do it) so it formed a strong loop."
I can't say that I think this is the greatest idea in the world. Doesn't the dacron get waterlogged and sink?
You should try a needle nail knot to make a similar permanent connection.
Since I don't tie nail knots all that aften, I find it difficult to master and thus my question about the L2L. I also find tying knots streamside to be more problematic than doing so at the kitchen table. Its not that I don't want to learn to tie knots, it is just at times I would rather be casting to a raise than fighting my patience tying a knot.
[This message has been edited by TyroneFly (edited 27 April 2006).]
No, that has never happened to me. A 1 inch loop of dacron will not overcome the bouyancy of a dry fly. And I never intended to discover the "greatest idea in the world" only to present an alternate option. If it didnt work, why would I use it?Quote:
I can't say that I think this is the greatest idea in the world. Doesn't the dacron get waterlogged and sink?
You could just as easily use this option with mono, I only suggested that I use dacron because he seemed to have trouble tying knots with it, which I do too. And store bought braids intended for mainlines WILL NOT WORK. They are too slick
I should add that I am very embarrased, for today I got my first slipped knot. I have always prided myself in tying good knots, but I lost it to a 4 pounder today. Luckily I had the fish landed, so it counts. I bet I tied a palomar knot and forgot to pass the hook through the loop, so it was basically a single overhand knot. Oh, and that carp stole my kamasan!
still using the castwell with short clipped tag . caught a few nice fish on it . holds like a bulldog !! once again thank you j.c. for keeping it simple ! keith
those L2L conectors are great used them today the only cons are the leader will not come off easily at all and there isnt a hook on the orange connector (i had a couple fish atack it today thinking it was a egg or something)
Tyronefly;
I used one most of the weekend and the only problem was passing it through the Tip-Top
I was using a 7' 6" "Forcast" and the L2L "Reconector" almost matched the I.D. of the Tip-Top.
Not enough big fish to tell it's strength though.
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Don't forget the Michigan Fish-In August 14th to the 20th. The Holy Water's of the Au Sable await you!!
Cactus
I tried the L2L Connector last year, and while it does work well, if you want to change leaders for a different situation, or just because you tied a wind knot in it, it was kind of a pain. I do see that now they have Re-Connectors, where the link is re-usable and changing leaders would be a snap. Literally. I myself am going to stick with my loop to loop system.
Later, Al.
On small diameter fly lines the old "leader links" work just as well. Attach a 1 foot butt with a perfection loop and you can customize any leader you need for the occasion.
Bob
analogbob, I don't agree. I think that the guys who like to watch the 'link' for strikes will prefer it. Your loops do hold etc, but "work just as well?" Nope, hard to see and they don't float either. http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/wink.gif
"You could just as easily use this option with mono, I only suggested that I use dacron because he seemed to have trouble tying knots with it, which I do too. And store bought braids intended for mainlines WILL NOT WORK. They are too slick"
Thanks for the great idea!!! I used 15lb mono with my 3wt line....... when I finished the nail knot, I put another knot on the two ends of the 3/8" loop. It is perfectly straight because both ends of the loop are 180 degrees apart. So much smaller and less drag than the loops you purchase.
This is why FAO is such a wonderful site, all the fly anglers with mucho tips on fly fishing.
Fish On, longrodders
Re: Leader Links again.
I never had problems with them on line weights 3 and 4. They float OK. I never use them on larger lines..And on the small Silk Lines I have they are the only things that will stay on the line tip. Nail Knots slip off. The other alternative is to fold back the tip of the silk line and whip finish a very small loop in it.
Bob
Mr. Castwell:
I have just been studying your "Line to Leader" knot, and although it will require a "leap of faith" to use it, I am going to try it this year with my silk lines. Now, AHEM, do you know where I can get some gut leaders?
Bob
I can vouch for Castwell's knot. It is simple, strong and has not failed since I have been using it
Lee S. mentioned old threads, kind of, on the "green triangles" thread. Well, here's a good example. And I've used the Castwell Knot for 15 plus years without fail, with one exception. The exception is that it does not work with really stiff fly line, such as a Class II full sinking line. For those who enjoy the old days on this site, just open a Forum and go way back in time by hitting the oldest page number shown, and maybe the oldest page shown at that point. There was such a long period of time with many, many folks participating and contributing and there is so much informative and fun stuff for those who take a bit of time to find it.Quote:
Originally Posted by okflyfisher