I prefer to attach my leaders with a loop-to-loop connection. But I've always wanted a connection that was as light as the tag end of the line. In the past, I often whipped a loop into the end of the line, despite the work involved. I never liked braided sleeve loops as I feel they are too heavy and rigid. Recently, welded loops have hit the market, but those are heavy and stiff also.
I've also used super glue splices for years. While I was recently rigging a knotless leader with a super glue splice, I wondered if the same technique could be used to make a small, lightweight loop. I gave it a try, and it works well. The loop is the lightest, most flexible yet. The procedure is a typical super glue splice, but instead of using a single strand of mono, I splice in a loop instead.
Impale the fly line on a needle as usual for a super glue splice. Cut a length of 14-20 pound mono and shave down both ends with the razor blade. Thread those two ends through the eye of the needle.
Snug the shaved mono ends up to the fly line and pull the needle through, taking the mono loop with it.
Pull the mono through the fly line until there is a loop an inch or so long. Use a piece of 240 grit sand paper to roughen the top section of the loop. This rough line will carry the super glue into the center of the fly line.
Dab super glue onto the roughened section of the mono. DON'T dab the super glue all the way up to the fly line or it will glue up solid immediately. In one quick and smooth motion, pull the fly line down the mono until the loop is about inch long. Use a paper towel to soak off excess glue. Trim the tag ends of the mono flush with the fly line. I also seal the fly line with a UV cure adhesive.
Here is the original welded loop from a 4 weight, Rio Selective Trout fly line and the final mono loop. The mono loop is lighter, shorter and more flexible. While I've only used these loops for a few months, I don't expect durability problems based on past experience with single strand super glue splices. I still have one I made in the early 90s!
Tom
I've also used super glue splices for years. While I was recently rigging a knotless leader with a super glue splice, I wondered if the same technique could be used to make a small, lightweight loop. I gave it a try, and it works well. The loop is the lightest, most flexible yet. The procedure is a typical super glue splice, but instead of using a single strand of mono, I splice in a loop instead.
Impale the fly line on a needle as usual for a super glue splice. Cut a length of 14-20 pound mono and shave down both ends with the razor blade. Thread those two ends through the eye of the needle.
Snug the shaved mono ends up to the fly line and pull the needle through, taking the mono loop with it.
Pull the mono through the fly line until there is a loop an inch or so long. Use a piece of 240 grit sand paper to roughen the top section of the loop. This rough line will carry the super glue into the center of the fly line.
Dab super glue onto the roughened section of the mono. DON'T dab the super glue all the way up to the fly line or it will glue up solid immediately. In one quick and smooth motion, pull the fly line down the mono until the loop is about inch long. Use a paper towel to soak off excess glue. Trim the tag ends of the mono flush with the fly line. I also seal the fly line with a UV cure adhesive.
Here is the original welded loop from a 4 weight, Rio Selective Trout fly line and the final mono loop. The mono loop is lighter, shorter and more flexible. While I've only used these loops for a few months, I don't expect durability problems based on past experience with single strand super glue splices. I still have one I made in the early 90s!
Tom
