How to Rig a Shooting Braid Fly Line

Braided fly lines are thin and lightweight. The lines are used as the running section of a shooting-head system, and as the core of heavier fly lines. Rigging the lines requires a smooth connection that is easy to maintain. The connection must be strong to prevent losing the shooting head or leader on a snag or fish. The braided line is designed to create limited friction on the rod guides. The line shoots through the guides quickly for distance casting purposes.

Things You'll Need

  • Scissors
  • Shrink tubing
  • Lighter
  • Amnesia line
  • Nail knot tool
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Instructions

  1. Loop Connection

    • 1

      Measure 4 inches from the end of the braided line. Use a pair of scissors to cut the fly line coating, and expose the braided core. Be careful not to cut through the core and pull the coating off the end of the line.

    • 2

      Create a loop with the core by twisting the tag end around the main stem. Form a small loop that does not hang on the rod guides.

    • 3

      Push the loop through a section of shrink tubing that covers the twisted section and 1 inch of fly line. Hold the flame of a lighter under the tubing to shrink it around the fly line. This secures the loop in place.

    • 4

      Repeat the process on the shooting head -- and connect the braided line to the shooting head -- with a loop-to-loop connection. The connection is temporary, and allows multiple shooting heads to be used on one braided line.

    Nail Knot Connection

    • 5

      Cut a 1-foot section of amnesia line from a spool. Connect one end of the amnesia line to the braided line using a nail knot and nail knot tool.

    • 6

      Tie the knot by placing the braided line in the opening on the tool; hold the end with your thumb. Hold the amnesia line in the opposite direction, and wrap it around the nose of the tool eight times. Pull the end of the amnesia line through the same opening as the fly line; continue pulling to tighten the knot around the fly line. Clip the tag ends.

    • 7

      Tie the opposite end of the amnesia line to the shooting head or leader using a nail knot and nail knot tool. The nail knot creates a permanent connection that slides smoothly through the guides.