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Loop connections

Making loops
Loop-to-loop
Large loop
Loop on a fly line
Silicone sleeve
Using loops

Making loops

By Martin Joergensen

Loops
These loops are often refered to as Orvis loops. I don't know if Orvis invented them, but they do sell them -- and at high prices too.

There's no reason to pay money for something you can make for free yourself. All you need is a large needle and some scraps of braided dacron backing. Add to that scissors, a lighter (or a candle or matches) and some superglue.

Instruction

DIY
Look at the drawing and follow the instructions below. You can now make your own loops. Want to know how to use them or how to join two loops?
  1. Use fairly thick braided backing off the stiff dacron type -- 20 or 30 lb type
  2. Do not cut the backing yet, but work with the whole length
  3. Be carefull that the backing doesn't become 'unbraided' in the process
  4. Stick a thick needle into the backing app. 10 cm. (4") from one end.
  5. The backing is hollow and the needle point should end up in the center
  6. Thread the short end of the backing through the needle eye
  7. Secure the loop formed with a pencil
  8. Press the needle out through the backing again 5 cm. (2") further down the backing
  9. Pull the needle and the loose end through the hollow center and out though the side of the backing
  10. Pull loop fairly tight
  11. Remove needle and cut backing leaving a small piece (1 cm -- ―") on the outside
  12. Burn lightly over a flame and pull the still warm and soft end into the backing, by expanding the loop
  13. Put a drop of superglue on the double backing
  14. Stop the backing from becoming 'unbraided' by sticking a needle into the hollow center and applying light heat.
  15. Cut to appropriate length and thread a small piece of silicon tube over the end
  16. The loop is ready

User comments
From: Sean · eleventh-warrior·at·shaw.ca
Submitted August 22nd 2008

In case someone else needs the instructions, here they are:

1. If the shrink-wrap tubing is already on the braid, move it up to the loop before starting (if it's not on the braid, thread the shrink-wrap onto the braid first)
2. Insert the end of the fly line into the open end of the braid and use the "inchworm" technique to move the braided sleeve down the flyline. Make sure 1" of the fly line is inside the braided sleeve.
3. Move the shrink-wrap down so that 1/2 is on the fly line and the other 1/2 is on the braided line.
4. Using a heat source (not an open flame), shink the tubing to secure the connector.

Now go fishing.

From: Mike Robinson · michaeldrobinson·at·btinternet.com
Submitted March 16th 2007

You are not the only one with this problem. I received the same sort of kit and no instructions. I assume that one has to tease the end of the braided loop and push the fly line into it and then pull the tube/sleeve supplied over the join?? Using glue would seem to be useless as the tube would stick to the join, I have experimented with a bit of tube and this is the case. There seems to be an assumption by the line suppliers that we are all experts?

From: Mark Ingram · markingram30·at·hotmail.com
Submitted January 23rd 2007

hi there
I am just about to embark on my first ever fly fishing season. I have got myself a basic kit to get me started, but the fly line that came with the rod does not have the loop connector at the end. I don't feel confident enough to create my own loop, and the rod also came with a couple of braided loops...but it came without any instructions as to how to attach the braided loop to the fly line in order that I may use the loop-to-loop system for attaching my leaders I have. I've searched everywhere for info on this, but can't find it anywhere.


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