[Mike Barrio]

Mike, that loop looks the business to me. Good length and loop size.

Thanks John 

I just need to work out if I can make them in reasonable numbers to that quality.

[Ian Bell]

Hi Fred

I wouldn't add anything half way along the braid though, as this would cancel out the constriction/grip of the braid behind it.

Exactly this, the harder the loop is pulled the tighter it grips, the sleeve is only there to keep it in place!
Easy to push it off, almost impossible to pull it off‼️
PS. nice, neat double loops Mike!

[Mike Barrio]

PS. nice, neat double loops Mike!

Thanks Ian 

[Mike Barrio]

The best allround one I have come across is 30lb Cortland which is slim and supple and works on most line sizes.

I've been trying some of the 30lb Cortland today John 

It's a really nice product, it makes great loops and is very easy to work with, but I find it a wee bit 'heavy duty' for light lines?
I'd say more suited to #7 lines and heavier, but absolutely perfect for Switch/Salmon lines!

Cheers
Mike

[John Wastle]

Mike, I take your point. I am ok with it on lighter lines.  As a DIYer if necessary I can pull out a few strands (but not too many) to reduce bulk before making the loop. For your purposes 20lb Cortland might be the answer for the lighter lines.

Cortland is in a league apart from the other braids I have (Lureflashd Masterline and something in a coil someone gave me). Thinner lb for lb and less prone to fraying.
Cheers
John

[Duncan Inglis]

I’ve been making my own for years now from 30lb and 50lb braid, touch of super glue above the loop to stop it slipping and I whip them on. Slightly longer is better as it’s easy to cut down to size. Fraying isn’t an issue if it’s longer as you can trim while whipping them on.

[Mike Barrio]

I’ve been making my own for years now from 30lb and 50lb braid, touch of super glue above the loop to stop it slipping and I whip them on. Slightly longer is better as it’s easy to cut down to size. Fraying isn’t an issue if it’s longer as you can trim while whipping them on.

Great stuff Duncan 

What weight lines are you using them on?

[Mike Barrio]

For your purposes 20lb Cortland might be the answer for the lighter lines.

Cortland only do their Braided Mono Looping Material product in 30lb and 50lb John.



Going back to fraying:  It's certainly not an issue if you've had a bit of practice with fitting braided loops - but I can remember watching folk trying to fit them out of a packet at the fishery and ending up fraying them all the way to the loop before getting the line in. The product was invariably to blame, not the fitter!

[John Wastle]

Mike, the stuff I use is branded as running line. Seems to be the eqivalent of this, which is available in 20lb if you can find a supplier.

https://www.cortlandline.com/products/waxed-braided-mono-shooting-line

[Mike Barrio]

Mike, the stuff I use is branded as running line. Seems to be the eqivalent of this, which is available in 20lb if you can find a supplier.

https://www.cortlandline.com/products/waxed-braided-mono-shooting-line

Thanks John, I think the newer waxed product may have less strands, I'll do some digging .....

Cheers
Mike

[Mike Barrio]

So ....... that's things up and running on the website.
And I will maybe update the how to fit step by step guide when I get chance.
The loops will be a mix of Minicons and my own in house loops for a while until I run out of Minicon stock 
Fly line to leader connections are very much down to personal preferences, so I do my best to offer choices.
(1) For those who prefer to craft their own connections - Barrio lines are supplied without loops.
(2) For those who prefer braided loops - I offer braided fly line loops in the accessories section, both fitted and spares.
(3) For those who prefer welded loops - I offer a custom welded loop service in the accessories section.

[Terry Coging]

I gave Mikes sample braided loop a good test this afternoon. It was fitted to a new Smallstream #3 and used on my 15' wafting rod. After much bailing I got the boat out for a couple of hours before being blown and rained off. Luckily, being warm, the fish were fairly high in the water (40' deep) and I boated 7 rainbows between 3 and 6lb. The line was just spot on for the wafter, with 18' out loading it perfectly. My only concern with Mikes loop is that the sleeve is thicker than the Roman Moser and I was worried that the top guide may push it off when landing fish. No problem encountered.

[Mike Barrio]

Great stuff Terry 

Certainly not 'warm' in this neck of the woods at the moment!