Jeremy: I have been fly fishing for years, about 15, and didn't begin with the loops. It's something I just recently began. It seems easier to change to a dry fly leader, from a nymph leader, with a loop connection. Previously, I carried an extra spool with a dry fly leader already attached and restrung the rod. My only problem is that the loop hangs up on the tip top guide when I'm reeling a fish to hand causing a few acrobatics.