Yes, it could have been casting but it’s not.
This knot stuff…
When you whip a loop onto say a fly line…exactly how do you do it? I find it very cumbersome…any special techniques? How do you hold all those loose ends ,etc. ?
There are explanations with photos around but I don’t have a link. I cut the end of the line at a sharp angle with a double-edge razor blade. I then overlap or double the line on itself. I want the beveled edge against the main line to minimize the bump. I overlap the line maybe 1/2 inch and try to create a small loop. I tie a slip knot in the end of my fly tying thread on the bobbin and put it over the doubled line. This holds the loop together when I tighten it down. I hold the looped end and the main end and spin the bobbin around and around wrapping the thread over the area. I use a piece of loop mono under the last 10 wraps and pull the tag end under. I coat it with sparing amounts of aquaseal.
How are you holding [stabilizing] the fly line…during wrapping , etc.?
Dear ducksterman,
A dab of Superglue or Zap-A-Gap works well.
Best Wishes,
Avalon 
Sorry, Avalon, still not getting it…when I want to “whip” something I like it firm, stabilized, secure, not in midair…how do you hold the line so you can firmly wrap around it???
You’re a very confusing person.
You know Gramps , your mind is really in the wrong place tonight :lol:
Sorry. I knew a verbal explanation was inadequate. I don’t hold the loop perfectly stable while wrapping. Superglue the 2 pieces of line together, as was mentioned, if you want them fixed before wrapping. The wrapping is done in mid-air - if semantics aren’t right, well, sorry again. The tip of loop in left hand, the fly line 1" from the loop base in the right hand. Tension outward is put on with both hands to keep the loop taunt. Bobbin is hanging in between dangling mid-air. Wrapping is like a swing wrapping around the top bar of the swing set - when the bobbin runs out of line, pull more out and keep it swinging. That is the best that I can do.
yup, like when your fly wraps aroung a twig.
OK got it …hate it …I’ll stick with the Castwell :roll:
Shoe, thank you very much …I truly do appreciate your reply.
ducksterman…
If your putting your loops in with a whip finish, you?re asking for a future disaster. Sooner or later, if you tie into a large enough fish the loop will come apart on you.
The best way to make a loop in a fly line is to fold it over and then tie in two eight turn nail knots about 1/8th of an inch apart made with 40# gelspun. You cannot do this with dacron or nylon. When you make them with the gelspun you will see what I mean. They bight into the fly line so hard they almost seem to liquify. Then coat the loop with two coats of Pliobond. It leaves a loop that will shoot right through the guides and will never fail you.
DickM. 
Ducksterman,
If you want to ‘whip’ a loop, or use the ‘nail knots’ (really the same thing) as DickM suggests, there is a way to hold the line ‘steady’ while you wrap it.
I just suspend the line between two vises.
A paperclip (bent so it has a hook on one end) in one, that holds the ‘loop’ and the line itself in the other (with some tape on the jaws so that it holds the line gently).
A properly made whip will hold until the fly line fails. No way it will come loose before the tippet lets go.
The 'nail knot was created as a way to do a ‘whip’ without benefit of the pull through loop (you slide the line through along the nail, rather than pull it through with a loop). It’s just a ‘faster’ way of doing the same thing, and I’d debate that it’s not as strong as full whip. So, two ‘nail knots’ is like doing two small whips. One longer whip, for something like a fly line, would be just as strong or stronger, providing the whips are properly tightened.
Whipping is THE strongest way to make a loop in ANY line or rope. Why so many of the connections used aboard the old sailing ships were whipped, it was strong. It’s just not ‘fast’ to do.
Good Luck!
Buddy
I have gelspun tying thread and I planned to try whipping with it. This 40# this must be different. What is it and where does one get some? Thanks in advance.
[quote=“Shoe”]
I have gelspun tying thread and I planned to try whipping with it. This 40# this must be different. What is it and where does one get some? Thanks in advance.[/quote]
My turn to answer…Power Pro is one that I’ve used…there are others… I have done as Dick said only with the 50#…actually don’t think you need to go that strong but the stuff is so thin it is not a problem…can be had wherever they sell bait casting lines…e,g. Wal-Mart, Sports Authority…
I know what you mean,Dick, about how it “melts” in…
Thanks for the reply guys…I have tried various methods in the past and was looking for a way to stabilize the line and loop so it would be taut and therefore handier and if taut I figured it would be easier to get a good tight wrap.
heres a tutorial
Here is a quick&dirty tutorial I whipped up (pun intended) on the subject:
http://www.danica.com/flytier/loop/loop.htm
Cheers,
Hans W
The problem with all these proposals is that the loop is in the wrong medium, it will cut through and the coating will tear off the fly line. Make a self loop in braided monofil, secure it with a dab of superglue. Slide the tapered end of the fly line into this and secure the same way. No salmon or trout has ever given my joint a reason to be doubted.
If you must put a loop in fly line then make a 12" loop of any old line, hook it over the vice handle or any handy projection, thread the end of the fly line through it and holding it taut aganst the vice handle,start whipping FROM THE LOOP END. This makes coming off the taper easier. Use waxed rod whipping thread,when finished roll it between two smooth surfaces to straighten the curve of the splice and varnish or superglue.Then cut off the old line loop.
Duckster;
My local flyshop does it using Shoe’s method but a word of warning!! Make sure the bobbin tension is set correctly! If not centrifical force will allow it to extend it’s orbit out and you may end up with a sore nose!! (Been there Done That!!)
Ive been using Rio fly lines that have the built in loop on the end and have experienced absolutely no failures.
Heres another one called the “Grays Loop”