L2L leader to Line connections

[Guest Jim Traylor]

Got some Freebies via FFF membership renewal. Thw SA L2L connectors and some of the leaders with the connectors. Has anyone used them? and if so what are your thought??

Jimmy T.

[Brian K. Shaffer]

I have used them with mixed emotions. I kind of liked the idea at first, but it was a little heavy and it didnt get slide thru the tip top guide real well. Wal -Mart sells them here in Branson, but they do not sell very many of them.. I can tell you that.

I hear they are making them slimmer / lighter and with sink tip attatchments now.. cool idea.. but will it catch on with fishermen. ?!?! gimmick or not ?

best fishes all - Brian

[Leonard]

I myself have tried them...

But I hear the connector can double as a float.. (not sure if its true or not)..

I have consider trying them... Im just not sure on how they connect to the line..

[Guest Jim Traylor]

Brian,

I've also heard they suck for big fish....

Jimmy T.

[Steve Smith]

I have to try anything new, so I bought the bottom half with the seating tool thinking that was the whole kit. Then I found out you have to buy the SA leader too with the other half of the connector. Since I am a furled leader fan, that certainly didn't work for me. I also appreciate Brian's comment on threading the tip. That is part of the reason I wanted to try it. However if the connector "acts" like float, I might be tempted to buy the other half for a trial. In any case, I heard or read that the connector will hold 10 pounds. Logically, the tippet would snap before the connector, but I'd want to use some glue just in case.

[Guest flyfishBDS]

I got one for one of my other gigs (shameless plug for Australia and New Zealand finest fly fishing magazine _ Flylife (Flylife Magazine Website) _ and probably close to one of the world's best) where I hold the honorary post of new gear columnist and US correspondant. When you get paid in South Pacific pesos its kind of honorary.

Was assured by SA that the leader tapers were the same as their normal leaders but seemed kinda steep, thick well forward and kinda clunky" Might be ok if you absolutely can't tie a nail knot but otherwise just buy a nail knot tool and practice for a night

Best use at this time of year Jimmy _ Christmas present for someone you don't know all that well or don't really like enough to spend good cash on

Cheers

Steved

[Wayne SW/MO]

I've eyed them also. One problem I see is that I try to be prepared to go dry and take advantage of midging going on at Taney. I don't know how that would work with that thing floating above them when they are looking up.

Here's some info from 3M concerning flotation, etc.

Special composite material floats higher than a knot or loops and increases line-tip flotation

System™ L2L also doubles as the ideal strike indicator

[Guest Jim Traylor]

I stuk 'em up in the flyshop for sale Steve... I learned to tie a nail knot on my finger so it ain't a problem.

Havn't heard much good about 'em though. Good idea about the c-mas gifts.

jimmy T..

[Guest flyfishBDS]

OOps I kinda figured you would know a nail knot lol. I meant to refer to any others who might not.

case of fingers moving faster than the brain.

I haven't learnt that finger trick yet but thinking about it _ you wrap the loops on your middle finger? lol

I have an emergency version too but they are prettier with a tool.

What do you use on your guide lines, mono loop, nail knotted, whitlock splice, braided loops? I figure you end up changing so many leaders' you could end up with 60' of running line pretty quick with regular nail knots lol though I still prefer them for my rods.

Cheers

[Guest Jim Traylor]

Boy Steve I really don't like the Loop to Loop connection. Pretty much nail Nots althoug I did order a couple of line splicers from Umpqua to do the Dave know with. have done it inthe past and really like it. Especially for teaching Casting. (no hang ups if ya know what I mean) I can do a nail not pretty quickly on the finger and it's the way I learned to do it. I can't make the nail knot tools work very well..

Jimmy T.