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Braided Mono Loop Construction

  • Updated: April 7, 2011
Braided Mono Loop Construction

Braided Mono Loop Construction

It’s easy to make fly-line loops from braided mono or Dacron. This alternative is favored by many because of the resulting loops’ slim profile and impressive strength. For splicing to small-diameter deep-sinking shooting heads like T-14 or LC-13 and fly lines of 9-weight or less, 30-pound-test braid works best; 50-pound-test works well for fly lines of 10-weight or larger. – Pete Barrett
Braided Mono Loop Construction

Braided Mono Loop Construction

Cut a 24-inch length of braided mono. About 8 inches from one end, insert the rigging tool into the hollow core, toward the short tag end, and push it forward about 2 inches. All photos by Pete Barrett
Braided Mono Loop Construction

Braided Mono Loop Construction

Insert the tag end of the braided mono into the loop of the rigging tool, and pull the tag end back through the hollow core. Adjust the braided mono by pulling on the leg going inside the braid until you have about a 1-inch loop. Smooth the splice by rolling it and running it through your fingers.
Braided Mono Loop Construction

Braided Mono Loop Construction

Insert the rigging tool about 2 inches behind the first splice, and push it forward until it comes out next to the tag end of the first splice. Capture the tag end, and pull it through the core.
Braided Mono Loop Construction

Braided Mono Loop Construction

Repeat to make a third 2-inch splice. Cut off the tag end, and roll the braid between your fingers to smooth the splice.
Braided Mono Loop Construction

Braided Mono Loop Construction

The completed loop, with three 2-inch splices, rolled and combed for neatness and ready for the final splice to the shooting or fly line, should look like this.
Braided Mono Loop Construction

Braided Mono Loop Construction

Soak 1 inch of the end of the fly line in acetone for about 60 seconds. Once it’s soft, remove the coating by scraping with your thumbnail.
Braided Mono Loop Construction

Braided Mono Loop Construction

Trim the remaining tag end of the braid to about 9 inches. Insert the rigging tool about 1 inch into the third splice that formed the loop, making sure it passes through both walls and is in the center of the hollow core.
Braided Mono Loop Construction

Braided Mono Loop Construction

Push the rigging tool until it emerges at the tag end of the braided mono, then capture the 1-inch fly-line tag end that had its coating removed.
Braided Mono Loop Construction

Braided Mono Loop Construction

Pull the fly line through the hollow braided mono core until it emerges through the double wall of the third splice.
Braided Mono Loop Construction

Braided Mono Loop Construction

Trim the tag end of the fly, and roll the splice between your fingers to smooth it out. If you¿ve done this right, a 1-inch section of the fly line should be captured within the double wall of the third splice.
Braided Mono Loop Construction

Braided Mono Loop Construction

Trim the frayed ends of the braided mono where it meets the fly line, then whip-wrap the connection with the bobbin and thread to make a neat transition point.
Braided Mono Loop Construction

Braided Mono Loop Construction

Protect and seal the whipped wraps with three coats of Softex, or apply one coat of Tuffleye soft acrylic.
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