Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2006 15:02:03 GMT -6
Does anyone use the Cortland style line-leader loop connectors? Are they trustworthy strength-wise? I just purchased an 8WT Multi-Tip line from Cabellas bargain cave and it comes with this type of connector. Hope I didn't make a mistake but the versatility potential of this line was too good to pass up.
|
|
|
Post by Dale Martens on Sept 2, 2006 0:14:59 GMT -6
If you use two nail knots to trap the loop to the flyline - one right at the end and the other further up, I think you could trust the connection to land pretty much anything you'll hook into. If you use the heat-shrink wrap, I wouldn't be too sure. I've haven't read too many good things about the heat-shrink wrap. Although I bet it would hold for smaller fish, I'm not sure about that 20 lb. catfish you're going to hook into.
|
|
|
Post by SK Justin on Sept 2, 2006 13:36:18 GMT -6
Has anyone tried using a nail knot to create a loop in the end of your fly line like this? I've been using this type of connection on my 7 wt. since last year, and I haven't run into any problems yet. I've landed hundreds of fish (mainly walleye), but also some 20 lb plus carp on the same knot. I'm not sure how it would hold up on heavier gear for heavier fish though.
|
|
|
Post by Dale Martens on Sept 3, 2006 13:30:13 GMT -6
That looks like a pretty solid connection to me...
I've never tried it but I've read about forming a similar loop in fly line by wrapping with it with strong fly tying thread and applying a whip finish. When I think about it, I don't see why a nail knot wouldn't work. It's the same kind of idea.
If you ever get a snag and you're pulling as hard as you can and your tippet breaks before your line-leader connection, then you're line-leader connection is good enough!!! It sounds like your line-leader connection has survived some good tests.
If you really want to test it, just tie on a leader with a 15 or 20 lb. tippet. Hook the end to something solid and then pull on your fly line and see if your tippet breaks before your line leader connection.
One advantage of the nail knots and the braided loop connection is that it is very compact and will slide through your guides very easily if you ever want to reel it up that far when landing a fish.
|
|
Robert Burton
Fly Fishing Zombie
Eventually all things merge into one, and a river runs through it.
Posts: 4,744
|
Post by Robert Burton on Sept 4, 2006 16:00:58 GMT -6
I have used the cortland style loops and they have worked on many big fish including a 38" cat.
But like all connections and styles of connections they have weaknesses and need to be checked often.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2006 19:51:44 GMT -6
Here's a "cortland loop" tale of woe, the result of my lack of information, no doubt.
I've always wondered about the best way to set the heat-shrink tube (I wrecked a couple using a direct flame) and someone on the board suggested boiling water. Well, I immersed a whole bunch of loops to set the heat-shrink and all seemed fine, except that just about all those loops opened up on me - at the loop end - when I applied a bit of pressure. I concluded that whatever glue that is used to guarantee the loop doesn't like boiling water! When I put only the heat-shrink section into boiling water, and kept the loop end out, I had no problems.
So, there's my tale of woe, borne of ignorance. Feel free to learn from my stupidity!...TIM
|
|
Robert Burton
Fly Fishing Zombie
Eventually all things merge into one, and a river runs through it.
Posts: 4,744
|
Post by Robert Burton on Sept 5, 2006 7:11:36 GMT -6
Yes it was Will Milne who was endorsing the coat with crazy glue then boil method.
I now know that super glue breaks down in water and boiling water isn't hot enough to set shrink wrap.
So I now am back to a flame but use a low heat 'tea candle' so no over heating. Doesn't help streamside but I am now very fastidious about checking my connections. Also in the upper wt's I coat with Marine Goop.
And I had the same problem with the actual loop ends but never made the connection till now.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2006 7:52:20 GMT -6
I've done a lot of delicate electronics work and I use a hobby-type heat gun for shrinking tubing. It has a special deflector that allows you to shrink the tubing without heat damaging anything close to the tubing. See here: www.monokote.com/accys/topr2000.htmlIf I can get a scrap piece of old fly line from someone I'll test out the strength of a connector and report back as to my findings.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2006 12:21:44 GMT -6
Robert:
Now you have me wondering....The boiling water does shrink the tube but how do I know if it is fully shrunk?...TIM
|
|
Robert Burton
Fly Fishing Zombie
Eventually all things merge into one, and a river runs through it.
Posts: 4,744
|
Post by Robert Burton on Sept 5, 2006 12:31:23 GMT -6
I have A-B 'd the 2 and the candle is a much tighter shrink that a pot of water.
As always the most important step is to check the connection before heading out. Sometimes they stay good all season sometimes just a few trips.
|
|
Robert Burton
Fly Fishing Zombie
Eventually all things merge into one, and a river runs through it.
Posts: 4,744
|
Post by Robert Burton on Sept 5, 2006 12:35:16 GMT -6
I just purchased an 8WT Multi-Tip line from Cabellas bargain cave and it comes with this type of connector. Hope I didn't make a mistake but the versatility potential of this line was too good to pass up. Here is one for reading the post fully. I bought the 6wt version and it comes with pre-looped ends for connecting the tips and a blank end for w/e end you want to put on. It comes with airflo connectors so they are the braided loop ends but the tubing is not heat shrink but a clear plastic tube you force over the joint. It has served me well on my 6, 8 and 2 spey lines.
|
|
|
Post by flyfisheranonymous on Sept 12, 2006 9:32:57 GMT -6
Call me old fashioned but I will always use a mono loop that is attached to the fly line with a universal knot. Mono should test out at 30-40 pound test. Never had a problem ever with this knot.
|
|
|
Post by Dale Martens on Sept 12, 2006 10:37:28 GMT -6
What's a universal knot?
|
|
|
Post by pondscum on Sept 12, 2006 18:36:31 GMT -6
try this' never had a break off Better than using heat shrink.
After you have slid the sleeve on, place a piece of mono in a loop beside the connector and fly line. THen take some 6/0( or stronger) thread and proceed to put a number of wraps around the connector and over the end on to the fly line. after doing the wraps feed the tag end through the mono and pull the tag end under the wraps. Finish this with flexible cement. This was shown to me by a guy at Hub Sports in Abbotsford and has worked for me for a number of years.
If you can't make sense of this PM me and I will try and explain it a bit better.
|
|
Robert Burton
Fly Fishing Zombie
Eventually all things merge into one, and a river runs through it.
Posts: 4,744
|
Post by Robert Burton on Sept 13, 2006 7:09:17 GMT -6
thats the 'rod wind' some folks use. ;D and works well.
A caveat; these extra bits will make the tip of floating lines sink. But I am not sure how much dry fly fishing is done here
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2006 13:50:02 GMT -6
|
|
|
Post by pondscum on Sept 15, 2006 5:55:41 GMT -6
Thanks Robert didn't even think of that as I don't use the connectors on my dry line. Will keep that in mind.
|
|