WF FLoating Fly Line Question? Time to replace?

[SlckTrck]

Ok, the tip of my 444 line on my 4wt is starting to sink fast. Water-logged most likely. They way I rig my line is to tie a short standing peice of mono to the line and then a loop on the end of that for loop-to-loop. anyway, what i want to know is how far I can cut into the taper from the end before it affects the casting. I have re-tied the tip about 3 times since the line was new to correct the above problem and have not noticed a casting difference yet.
Is it time to replace the line or can I wait a while?

Any thoughts.

[jtysone]

I say cut it little, test cast it and see if it sinks and how it cast. If it still sinks cut it a little more and test it. Thats what i would do. Josh

[Windknot]

Jason,

I use the same set-up - mono w/loop - and found under very careful examination that the fly line directly in front of the nail knot is prone to develop cracks. I guess the knot hinges right there, but that's the location that gets cracks in the line's finish. When I notice the tip acting like a submarine, I snip the line just below the knot, let it dry a few days, then replace the mono w/loop. I have done this roughly once a year with the line I use most (which lately ain't much at all, but that's another story).

I get longer life, I think, when I coat the nail knot w/Pliobond rather than super duper glue, which dries like a rock. Purely subjective. YMMV

How far up the taper to go? I think it's just up to you. On my 2 & 3wt lines I usually snip the level section off when new, so I can turn over those big ol' nasty Boogers that Mr. Newton despises so!
Don

[W. Donald Newton]

It’s "buggers", WindKnot, as in "woolly buggers". [Suddenly my keyboard feels sooo slimey and, blech, so unclean!] ’Sides, child, I bet I’ve tied some woolly bugger variants in my days before the enlightenment that would leave you in awe of creativity, vivid imagination and peyote. My latest craze is with estaz and sparkle chenilles. Easy ties, effortless to fish, on the same level as chicken liver, corn niblets and Y2K’s. Bluegill, bass and crappie love them ... but what do they know?

Let’s see, where was I ... oh, yes.

SLickT, you might consider giving your flyline a nice sudsey bath in mild detergent (dishwashing soaps are fine). Rinse thoroughly and dry. Then replace your mono or amnesia leader connector. Seal the tip of your flyline vicinity the nail knot. Treatment with flotant helps, too. And don’t do as I did a while back, stand on your flyline whilst false casting over a g•lf-course pond.

You prolly really wanna replace the flyline any ole way. Go ahead. I won’t tell. ;)

Cheers, Don

[GUTHOOKED]

Wash it, trim it, and retie. The only thing that's going to happen if you cut it is that you move the belly of the line closer to the tip, similar to a bass taper. If you cut it far enough, say 10 feet or so, it may make it slightly harder to lay a fly down gently, but as Don said, it'll turn over the big stuff better. Inspect the line closely after washing - if you can see tiny cracks in the coating all the way up the line, its probably time to replace it.

[mmarkey]

Depending on the taper you use. You probably only have about 10 inches of level line at the end of the taper. Then about 10 feet of taper then the belly of the line.

That's one of the reasons I always use double taper when I can. When one side wears out reverse the line and you have a brand new casting end. Just remember after about 10 inches you're into the taper of the line. Not much huh?

[Windknot]

Sorry, Don, I've read too much English lit to use that interpretation! Bad visuals!! :eek:
Don

[CAPT USA]

Not to get away from SlckTrcks' question but I have been buying the braided loops and adding to the fly line tip. These guys will un-braid themselves at the worst times. Would you mind a quick overview of the steps to tying and adding the mono loop to the fly line.

Also thanks for the info. about unsinking the sinking...floating..fly line. I noticed yesterday on the DH that at times I had 2 or more coils of fly line underwater in front of my nymph(new Trout roping technique).

Thanks Gentlemen,

BR

[NickelCigar]

Nail knot a 6" section of heavy leader material/mono to your fly line. Tie a perfection knot or a double surgeons's loop on the other end of the section. Throw braided connectors away. :)

[SlckTrck]

Hey Water. Just like he said, take a level peice of stiff mono. If you can splurge and find some good amnesia type line. (stuff that does not hold a curl after it has been coiled up). Use a 6 inch peice and nail knot it to the end of the line. See here ---> Nail Knot (http://www.killroys.com/knots/nail.htm) Then on the other end tie a loop. Trim up the nail knot and coat it with zap-a-gap or something similar. It is much stronger than a barided connector.

Another tip: You can also use the butt section of an old leader that already has a loop on the end. Just make sure you use a strong one if you are going to use it on anything bigger than a 4wt.

I try to shoot for 4 inches between the nail not and my loop on the end.

Practice the knot a few times before tieing it to your fly line. You have to get the wraps to lay down just right for the knot to be strong.

Thanks guys. :cool:

[CAPT USA]

Tie a nail knot or a bullet to the head...hmmm.....uhhh....is there a third choice???? Super glue and duct tape??????

Just kidding! Thanks for the loop info. and the "nasty" nail knot link.
I am seriously going to give my line a bath, cut the tip back, and give the loop a try!

Thanks,

BR

[GUTHOOKED]

You joke, but I do use super glue on my braided loops. I like them because the tip seems to float better and they come through the guides better than a nail knot. In about ten years if fishing them, I've only had one come off. I was bringing a monster bow to the net on the Tuck and tried to reel the loop up inside the guides. The heat-shrink caught on the tip guide, and it pushed the whole loop off. I just sat there and watched a 25" rainbow swimming acroos the river with 12' of leader and a loop connector hanging out of its mouth. :eek: Since then, I put them on with a few drops of super glue under the braid and the heat shrink. You can't make them come off, now.

[NickelCigar]

Had an Orvis line with a factory installed braided loop open up on me. The loop itself failed, lost leader, fly, and Redfish. :o

[fishnpreacher]

I was there when Danny lost that big 'bow. It twasn't a pretty sight :yikes: or sound either for that matter. And I have had the same thing happen a coupla years ago, nice bow and the last stimulator I had to boot

[CAPT USA]

The problem I have had is with the Cortland braided loops where the loop just works its way out to a straight piece of braided line. It has not cost me a fish yet, but a few leaders and flies.

I am fishing right now with an OLD fiberglass rod and a Martin reel that is probably 15-20 years old(complete outfit in a bag kind of deal). My line just seems to stick to the tip guide and sounds like sandpaper when casting. I have cleaned and treated the line and polished out that top guide but just can't get rid of the line hanging up problem. Have actually hooked fish and had the line not move from the tip long enough for me to reel in the slack and play the fish on the reel. The fly line is less than 6 months old. Unfortunately this outfit is what I will have to use for a while until I get back into the work force, so if you have any tricks or suggestions please send 'em my way.

Thanks,

Brian

[mmarkey]

waterontheknee

have you tried cleaning the line with soapy water and putting a new dressing on it. if that's not the problem and the tip guide looks good check the rest of the guides on a rod that old there could even be rust or corrosion on some of the guides. As a last resort you might consider replacing the tip guide a simple cheap fix.

Just some suggestions. hope it helps.

[NickelCigar]

with a strip of nylon, silk, etc., something that will hang on any imperfection. Does the tip look like it has been replaced somewhere down the line? Maybe too small?