I had been trying many different ways of attaching leaders to flylines until I found this method. This one finally makes a loop small enough to pass easily through the tip top and still remains as strong as the line. Leader changes are quick and easy and the transfer of energy is smooth as well. Just try it and see if you like it.
Here we go......
First off......here is the way I used to connect my leader. Look familiar????
First you need to soak the tip of the flyline in acetone or nail polish remover. I soak for a couple of minutes and then peel back about 2 inches of the outer coating.
Now, take a sharp object and pick out the fibers on the braided core like this.....
Take a sharp pair of scissors and cut at least half of the frayed section away. This will remove the bulk and help later.....trust me on this. ;-)
Now clamp a small darning needle in your vise. Take the braided core and poke the needle into the center and toward the plastic coating area. When you have gone at least 1/4 inch, push the tip out the side of the line like so...
Now slide the line down the needle and turn the needle around in the vise. (Swap ends leaving the eye exposed )
Now you need to take a piece of thread and put it through the eye of the needle.
Now you put the thinned core through the thread loop. Gently pull in tight and make sure you only pull the frayed part through. It will go smoothly if you have it right.
Pull it on through gently. If you pull too hard....just re-thread and try again. It should look like this.....
Now pull the core through the needle slot very carefully. Some twisting on the needle may help. You want to see some core come out the other side. When it comes through, you can adjust the loop size by pulling on the tag or the spot where the core enters the center of the core. Confusing, right? It will make sense when you do it. When it looks fine, stick a round object through the loop and pull. Pull HARD.....if you did it right, it will hold. Amazing isn't it? It should look like this.....
Now just cut the fuzzy tag clean and coat with something. This is what I use and it makes the core a little stiffer and keeps water out too.
Now go fish......I hope they are bigger than this little fella.
Hope you like it......feel free to ask questions.
Barry
Here we go......
First off......here is the way I used to connect my leader. Look familiar????
First you need to soak the tip of the flyline in acetone or nail polish remover. I soak for a couple of minutes and then peel back about 2 inches of the outer coating.
Now, take a sharp object and pick out the fibers on the braided core like this.....
Take a sharp pair of scissors and cut at least half of the frayed section away. This will remove the bulk and help later.....trust me on this. ;-)
Now clamp a small darning needle in your vise. Take the braided core and poke the needle into the center and toward the plastic coating area. When you have gone at least 1/4 inch, push the tip out the side of the line like so...
Now slide the line down the needle and turn the needle around in the vise. (Swap ends leaving the eye exposed )
Now you need to take a piece of thread and put it through the eye of the needle.
Now you put the thinned core through the thread loop. Gently pull in tight and make sure you only pull the frayed part through. It will go smoothly if you have it right.
Pull it on through gently. If you pull too hard....just re-thread and try again. It should look like this.....
Now pull the core through the needle slot very carefully. Some twisting on the needle may help. You want to see some core come out the other side. When it comes through, you can adjust the loop size by pulling on the tag or the spot where the core enters the center of the core. Confusing, right? It will make sense when you do it. When it looks fine, stick a round object through the loop and pull. Pull HARD.....if you did it right, it will hold. Amazing isn't it? It should look like this.....
Now just cut the fuzzy tag clean and coat with something. This is what I use and it makes the core a little stiffer and keeps water out too.
Now go fish......I hope they are bigger than this little fella.
Hope you like it......feel free to ask questions.
Barry
