So I lost a Flyline yesterday

[ak_powder_monkey]

I had a 25 inch rainbow take me into my backing in about 15 seconds then break my knot damnit its like breaking a ski on a powder day. Can someone recomend a better backing to line knot?

[fez]

i always use an Albright knot and have never had a problem.

[pechelman]

This has been my saltwater setup for years.
Never had any trouble.

I double back the fly line onto itself and make 2 nail knots so I have an eye at the end. Just big enough to pass a bimini twist through.

Then I make a bimini twist in the backing.

Do a loop to loop connection.

[MakersTeleMark]

Use higher test flouro. and get to know your drag settings. 25" is not that big for a bow. I've landed tons in that range with 4x and no where near my backing.

Loop de loop a la pechelman too.

[ak_powder_monkey]

Albright knot seems the best to me, partly because I know it... anyway a 25" bow isn't that big but he managed to strip my flyline off in a very quick manner and jumped 5 times ahhh fishing... I did manage to catch 2 smaller bows a nice dolly and 2 silvers before I lost my line.

[LaramieSkiBum]

Classic stretch to make a 13" look like 25" :-)

[Hook]

I like it, you spend the summer commercial fishing and afterwards........you go fishing.

Loop to loop, learn it, live it, love it.

What are full length floating lines in your area? $50-$60 bucks?

There's your motivation.

[Flake]

Am I the only one wondering how you know it was a 25 inch rainbow? It broke you off. I'm nit picking I know but from seeing it jump you know it was a nice one but not exactly how big.

[Pow4Brains]

I had the same thing happen when out backpacking! The worst thing is a flyrod just won't work with out the line, duh!!! Sucked watching fishing for the rest of the trip. Since I have used a nail knot with a little UV sense to seal the deal. The nail knot seems to slide through the guides better at mach 4.

[LaramieSkiBum]

I had the same thing happen when out backpacking! The worst thing is a flyrod just won't work with out the line, duh!!! Sucked watching fishing for the rest of the trip. Since I have used a nail knot with a little UV sense to seal the deal. The nail knot seems to slide through the guides better at mach 4.

+1 with the nail knot.

[ak_powder_monkey]

I did use a nail knot whixh I had no problems with leaders but apparently it doesn't work as good with backing... That picture is a dollie that measured 17 inches and was held out to look like 25

[pechelman]

also for knot jongs
they make these pretty handy premade braided mono eyelets.
the look like little chinese finger traps with a peice of heatshrink tubing.

Ive never personally used one, since I can tie my knots, but this might be a better option for you.

edit: http://www.kman.com/leader_acc_.htm
Ive never seen the kevlar ones before, those look awesome if they work.
The courtland ones are the ones I was thinking about.

[Hook]

also for knot jongs
they make these pretty handy premade braided mono eyelets.
the look like little chinese finger traps with a peice of heatshrink tubing.

Ive never personally used one, since I can tie my knots, but this might be a better option for you.

edit: http://www.kman.com/leader_acc_.htm
Ive never seen the kevlar ones before, those look awesome if they work.
The courtland ones are the ones I was thinking about.

Quite possibly the worst fishing invention ever. I've seen several large fish lost with those things.

Your Loop to Loop advice was spot on. That conection tied correctly is as snag free going thru rod guides as a nail knot.

Once someone loses a large fish or a flyline or two, they will learn it.

[pechelman]

good to know, thanks.

Ill never use those just cause I love tying knots so much.
Give me some string or rope and I have hours of entertainment.
That made for some great car ride fun when I was younger, of course it always annoyed my dad he would find monkeys fists, spider hitches, bimini twists, and whatever the knot of the day was all up in his rope.

[irul&ublo]

No wonder you lost the fish. Look at that cocksucker hat you're wearing.

[mnflyfish]

I had the same thing happen when out backpacking! The worst thing is a flyrod just won't work with out the line, duh!!! Sucked watching fishing for the rest of the trip. Since I have used a nail knot with a little UV sense to seal the deal. The nail knot seems to slide through the guides better at mach 4.

That is why you always purchase an extra spool with your reel. I always have an extra at least in the truck, along with tools and stuff just in case. I blew up a reel last summer fishing warm water for bass. Tagged into a real nice fish and the reel literally came apart. Of course this was the only fly reel I had on the trip, so it was spin fishing the rest of the weekend. Oh, and I reached out and grabbed the fly line and landed a nice 6+ pound largemouth. Anyway, replaced the reel, no reason an 8 wt reel should explode on a 6 pound fish, I'm just glad it didn't happen on a bone fish flat where I would have ruined an expensive trip. Back to the reel, replaced and spent the extra for another spool, makes situations like this a little easier to deal with, it keeps your day from coming to an end before you're ready.

When I hike in, I carry two rods and two reels, one strung up for drys and one for nymphs. If something should happen, it saves me a huge walk and missed time on the river. When I guide I triple everything. I've seen too many guys drop stuff, break stuff, step on stuff, etc. So, three rods, one is my personal baby and doesn't come out unless there are no other choices, three reels, a half dozen leaders, three boxes of flys, two nets-make the client carry one, my digital and a back up 35mm camera, and radios incase I want to leave the client in a spot and move a hundred years up or down to check things out-only happens if it's Really Slow.

Good Luck,
Jay

[fez]

i always have a spare spool in my pack, but since it is always strung with a 300 gr sinking line it wouldnt be the most versatile thing in the world as a back up for a floating line.

[TheDingleberry]

try not to suck so much at fishing and then you won't lose line.

[mnflyfish]

i always have a spare spool in my pack, but since it is always strung with a 300 gr sinking line it wouldnt be the most versatile thing in the world as a back up for a floating line.

Yeah that's the problem with my heavier wgt stuff too. With my 3 and 5 wt stuff, almost never have a need for a sinking line on the rivers I fish, the few deep pools can be reached with an extra bit of sink putty. I do a small amount of lake fishing in the spring and fall, but most of the action there is on top or in the first few feet as well so maybe twice a year I ad a sinking tip to my floating line. I do have some different stuff for out west, run off steelhead, and bass fishing, but my average trip is a trout run.

I guess this proves the point, you can never buy too much fishing stuff! I'll have to inform my wife that I'll need to make another trip to my local fly shop, yeah that'll happen.

Good Luck,
Jay

[fez]

Yeah that's the problem with my heavier wgt stuff too. With my 3 and 5 wt stuff, almost never have a need for a sinking line on the rivers I fish, the few deep pools can be reached with an extra bit of sink putty. I do a small amount of lake fishing in the spring and fall, but most of the action there is on top or in the first few feet as well so maybe twice a year I ad a sinking tip to my floating line. I do have some different stuff for out west, run off steelhead, and bass fishing, but my average trip is a trout run.

I guess this proves the point, you can never buy too much fishing stuff! I'll have to inform my wife that I'll need to make another trip to my local fly shop, yeah that'll happen.

Good Luck,
Jay

right now i only have a 6wt rod. a 3wt is in the plans for next summer for creek fishing. i really like fishing streamers and to cover lots of water (especially from a drift boat) getting the flies down deep fast is very helpful. the 300 gr sinks at about 6"/sec. If i am nymphing i usually go with floating line and more weight.

[Pow4Brains]

That is why you always purchase an extra spool with your reel.

So I guess cutting the handle off my toothbrush to save some weight while backpacking really isn't needed?

[sfotex]

So I guess cutting the handle off my toothbrush to save some weight while backpacking really isn't needed?

Depends on if you're on a backpacking trip, or a fishing trip.

[LaramieSkiBum]

Quite possibly the worst fishing invention ever. I've seen several large fish lost with those things.

Your Loop to Loop advice was spot on. That conection tied correctly is as snag free going thru rod guides as a nail knot.

Once someone loses a large fish or a flyline or two, they will learn it.

I gotta say I've been using them for the past two years and they have never failed. You do have to keep an eye on them, they are soft, and the threads will break. The failures I have had are because I got the heat shrink too hot, but the failed after I pulled on them several times and already noted that some of the threads were missing. IMHO they are worth it for the smooth casting and you line doesn't get hung up on the leader-line connection. Sure a good knot is better, but it is sweet to beable to switch to new leader in a few seconds.

Granted I'm not in the habbit of fighting fish much over 22" around this parts. My dad has been using them also for the past 2-3 years, never a failure.

[fez]

I gotta say I've been using them for the past two years and they have never failed. You do have to keep an eye on them, they are soft, and the threads will break. The failures I have had are because I got the heat shrink too hot, but the failed after I pulled on them several times and already noted that some of the threads were missing. IMHO they are worth it for the smooth casting and you line doesn't get hung up on the leader-line connection. Sure a good knot is better, but it is sweet to beable to switch to new leader in a few seconds.

Granted I'm not in the habbit of fighting fish much over 22" around this parts. My dad has been using them also for the past 2-3 years, never a failure.

i bet a fast sink line, some big streamers and a boat out in flaming gorge and you will be fighting fish over 22"

btw, you can also take a piece of leader butt like 3-4" long in a weight similar to the leaders you usually use. tie this to the end of your fly line with a nail knot. then tie a perfection loop in the end of the leader butt. This way you have the benefits of a loop to loop for your leader connections but it goes through guides better than a loop tied right in the end of your fly line. you can also sometimes find pretty bright colored stuff which will work like an always on strike indicator.

edit: just came across this article about tying your own leaders. pretty interesting, i may have to give it a shot.

[Sutter]

No wonder you lost the fish. Look at that cocksucker hat you're wearing.

I love that so many folks in AK are sox fans, when you're there you see Red Sox hats everywhere. It shows they have character and a brain.