Sink Tip Line Repair?

[csimcox]

I have some SA Mastery Series Streamer Express line on my 8wt that I recently noticed has a bit of an issue. The covering is separating from the mono core. Any idea on how to repair this or is it time to buy a new line? I've had it for a few seasons but really it's been out maybe 20 times. I've never had a trout line wear out that quick, but I do realize that fishing the surf from the beach is going to put a bit of a beating on the line. I'm afraid that if I use this, it's going to catch a guide and be the end of the line.


Any thoughts? Time to drop another $70 on a line?

[tomsakai]

I haven't tried this on a fly line but the marine supply stores have a product called 4200. It's a polysilicone that's really smooth and very durable. I'd buy a small tube of that and try patching the spot. Careful with it; it's really messy and cures very slow; you'll have to hang up the questionable line section while it cures. Make sure you get the fast cure version (which still takes a couple of hours). I seem to remember that the slow cure version takes days....

[Reyne]

That's a pretty severe damage. I would slip a section of braided mono to cover that and use Loon Knot Sense to bond the repaired area. It is flexible enough if you don't overdo it. It also cures in seconds using a UV light. Don't apply the material outdoors. If it doesn't work, make a short sink tip out of it.

[briansII]

I too would use a piece of braided mono over the damaged area. I then would put a small nail knot over one end of the braid, then stretch the braid tight over the line, and put another nail knot on the opposite end. This way you get the Chinese Finger Cuff effect of the braid, gripping the fly line. Then coat the nail knots with Knot Sense. I actually prefer Aquaseal, or thinned Goop but I've used the Loon products too.









If you need the braid material, I can send you some.

By the way, the braid is noisy going through the guides. Depending on where the repair is, it may bother you enough to not use this type of repair.

briansII

[Reyne]

I like the visual aids...

[csimcox]

Thanks for the ideas, love the visuals! I inspected the line further and noticed several cracks that hadn't separated yet. Too many to go the braided mono route, though that's a great idea. In my case, the damage was in the last 5 feet of the shooting head, so that weight at the back would probably give me some issues when casting. Dean gave me the idea of just coating it with Flex Clear Cure Goo, so I went for it. I'll give it a test on the water tomorrow and see how i holds up. Of course I'll need to buy a new line rather soon...