Chinook SSSF
12-14-2008, 02:22 PM
Relating back to a story in November, I had lost a new cabelas fly line when a chinook attempted to spool my 10 weight. I locked down on the fish but not before he got into the backing and snapped off beyond the fly line connection...Foolish move on my part because I should have locked down before he reached the backing for the break off. About a week later on another tripe we found the fly line wrapped around the edge of a rock a few hundred yards down stream from where I lost it. The line was all twisted up and it had mono twisted into it as well.
http://www.smallstreamsalmonfishing.com/sssfimages/hostedimages08/aflyline1.jpg
At first glance Mike and I thought well thats a done deal having noted the 3 cut ends. It was for sure I would have to untwist the entire line to see if it's fate was sealed.
It took me a little over 2 hours to untwist the line to find out that only about 6 feet off the backing end had been seperated from the line so if I could just straighten the line again I could fish it. Mike had suggested soaking it in hot water so I took and old empty maxima line spool and "TIGHTLY" loaded the spool with the fly line and closed it with a rubber band. Then I soaked it in hot water in a small mixing tub, reloading the hot water from "ONLY" the tap 3 times to keep it soft long enough to de-memorize.
http://www.smallstreamsalmonfishing.com/sssfimages/hostedimages08/aflyline2.jpg
I then ran the fly line through a well coated Mucilin [fly line floatant & cleaner] pad several times to clean and re-grease the line back into smooth casting shape. Then I inspected the backing and removed about 10 feet to remove any additional stress from the breakage. Line shows no visable cracks or nicks so time for re-load.....
http://www.smallstreamsalmonfishing.com/sssfimages/hostedimages08/aflyline3.jpg
Loaded to the reel and ready to fish! :p Total time, about 4 hours.
http://www.smallstreamsalmonfishing.com/sssfimages/hostedimages08/aflyline1.jpg
At first glance Mike and I thought well thats a done deal having noted the 3 cut ends. It was for sure I would have to untwist the entire line to see if it's fate was sealed.
It took me a little over 2 hours to untwist the line to find out that only about 6 feet off the backing end had been seperated from the line so if I could just straighten the line again I could fish it. Mike had suggested soaking it in hot water so I took and old empty maxima line spool and "TIGHTLY" loaded the spool with the fly line and closed it with a rubber band. Then I soaked it in hot water in a small mixing tub, reloading the hot water from "ONLY" the tap 3 times to keep it soft long enough to de-memorize.
http://www.smallstreamsalmonfishing.com/sssfimages/hostedimages08/aflyline2.jpg
I then ran the fly line through a well coated Mucilin [fly line floatant & cleaner] pad several times to clean and re-grease the line back into smooth casting shape. Then I inspected the backing and removed about 10 feet to remove any additional stress from the breakage. Line shows no visable cracks or nicks so time for re-load.....
http://www.smallstreamsalmonfishing.com/sssfimages/hostedimages08/aflyline3.jpg
Loaded to the reel and ready to fish! :p Total time, about 4 hours.