braided loops question

[LooseMoney]

I've been making my own braided mono loops with gudebrod 50#. The other day I had trouble slipping the braided mono over the end of a cut back skagit head. The skagit line at the tip is about 2mm and I can only slip it up the mono about half inch. I'd like to get at least 1 to 1.5 inches over the tip. Anyone have any pointers? Thanks.

[Peteo]

I make the diameter of the tip of the line a little smaller by shaving it down with a razor blade. Be careful, it's easy to take off too much, and all you need to take off is a little of the last inch or two. If there are other, easier, or more effective ways of doing this I'd be interested in hearing them as I've experienced this dilemma as well.

[fishin jimmy]

You might be bringinging the braid back inside itself a bit too far. I come down through the hole in the braid maybe 1 1/2 inches to make the loop, then push the flyline up inside the braid a couple inches. I take 1X mono and whip finish it at the loop base and another whip at the loop & just touch each whip knot with a small dab of zap-a-gap. It holds forever. Good luck!

[SSPey]

the other way to reduce line diameter (aside from shaving the line down) is to heat it to softness then immediately roll it between your fingers or on a hard surface ... same principle as rolling pretzel dough to make it skinny. This method doesn't work well with all lines, and is a bit touchier than simply shaving the diameter with a blade

[MJC]

I think the Cortland 50# braid is just a tiny bit bigger. I'll send you a couple feet if you want to experiment a little.

[LooseMoney]

I'll take you up on that, Poppy. Thank you. Sending PM

[MJC]

Headed your way tomorrow.

[Nooksack Mac]

Cortland 50 # braid fits over any spey belly I've tried. But to expand the end, buy a few large nails in the larger penny sizes, push the braid over the nail that's a tight fit and leave it for a half hour or so.

[Riverborn75]

Hey Poppy,
you have Cortland braid for sale? If so save me some fifty, and some small enough for T material! PM me, and I'll give you a ring tomorrow!

[LooseMoney]

Thanks for all the help and suggestions.

[LooseMoney]

Thanks for the sample Poppy. It worked. The Cortland braid slid on no problem. I owe you one and will definitely order through Red Shed whenever I can.

Lyman