08-13-2009, 02:36 PM
[quote brookie]Here is a way an old fly shop owner, Doug Hoops taught me to attach a leader to the fly line. Doug had me use a rather large sewing needle. You push the needle into the end of the fly line a little more than 1/4 inch. Heat the needle with a match. When it has cooled, remove the needle. A hole should remain in the end of the fly line. Place a small drop of Krazy Glue on the butt end of a knotless leader. Slide the leader into the hole in the end of the fly line. Place the smallest of drops of glue right where the leader meets the fly line to finish filling the hole and make it smooth. Be careful not to get glue anywhere else on the fly line or leader. Wait for the glue to dry (24 hrs is best).
I remember questioning weather this would hold when I first tried it. I used an old line and tried to pull the leader and line apart. The fly line broke - the connection never did. It sure makes a smooth transition from fly line to leader (much smoother than the nail knot). I have used it now for 15 years and have never lost a fish from a line to leader failure. One note - Doug only used "Krazy Glue". I'm not sure if it is realy better than other brands of super glue, but that is the only brand I have tried - the student always listens to the master.[/quote]
I have used this method since the mid 90's. I do only use it on a couple of rods though- I have a buddy who uses it for all his rods. I like it more for some of my stillwater fishing where the shot at bigger fish are a higher percentage and getting the leader into the rod eyelets and then having a fish make a run is a good possibility. Lost a very nice fish years ago because of the nail knot catching in the eyelet on one of those runs. I have gone to ZAP a Gap instead of super glue. I like it also on my 3 wt small stream rod- no knots- no drag. I have never had a leader let loose because of it. I maybe change a leader twice a year on those rods. Losing an inch or so a year isn't a big deal.
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I remember questioning weather this would hold when I first tried it. I used an old line and tried to pull the leader and line apart. The fly line broke - the connection never did. It sure makes a smooth transition from fly line to leader (much smoother than the nail knot). I have used it now for 15 years and have never lost a fish from a line to leader failure. One note - Doug only used "Krazy Glue". I'm not sure if it is realy better than other brands of super glue, but that is the only brand I have tried - the student always listens to the master.[/quote]
I have used this method since the mid 90's. I do only use it on a couple of rods though- I have a buddy who uses it for all his rods. I like it more for some of my stillwater fishing where the shot at bigger fish are a higher percentage and getting the leader into the rod eyelets and then having a fish make a run is a good possibility. Lost a very nice fish years ago because of the nail knot catching in the eyelet on one of those runs. I have gone to ZAP a Gap instead of super glue. I like it also on my 3 wt small stream rod- no knots- no drag. I have never had a leader let loose because of it. I maybe change a leader twice a year on those rods. Losing an inch or so a year isn't a big deal.
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