Fly Fishing with Doug Macnair
Product Updates
“The New Connection: It’s Called L2L�©

Doug Macnair

Well, Science has done it again – what they’ve done this time is develop a simple foolproof connector for the critical leader butt to line connection. So, what’s the result? No more nail knots, no more loops, no more gadgets, just a connection that anyone can do in seconds and opposed to minutes...

Who is “they?� Well, “they� is Scientific Anglers. What is it? It is the new System L2L Connector. What does it mean? You silly! It means Line 2 (to) Leader connector. What does it do? It replaces nail knots, loop-to-loop connections, and even acts as a strike indicator.

Hard to believe? No doubt! The fact is, it really works … and it works well!

The System L2L Connector, as this picture depicts, consists of two parts: (1) the line connector and (2) the leader connector. Put the two together and you have a setup that’s hard to beat. The directions are simple – simple enough that I didn’t screw up in putting the two together; and once together, you have a marriage between leader butt and fly line that will ordinarily take more than 10-pounds to break.

But the really neat thing about this new system is straightforward: no longer will the subject of “knots� inhibit folks who want to enter the sport. Later, they can learn and tie all the knots they want – but not before they have become a fly fisher. It’s my guess that the Ancient Fish Gods’ stomachs are in turmoil.

When the connector system first arrived, I examined the contents: one package contained the line connector tool complete with 5 connectors; the other packages contained several Mastery Trout series leaders with the leader connector attached. (I happen to like the Trout leaders, especially when tied to Scientific-Anglers new Trout series lines.)

I had my doubts about the system … The first thing that went through my mind was that the connector would never pass though the guides. The second thing was a guess that the connector would inhibit the cast by not enabling a smooth transition of power from the line to the leader. Both thoughts proved why I do a better job as a user rather than a developer. I was wrong on both counts. As John Dewey, renowned educator argued, we learn by doing…

Scientific Anglers has made it easy: simply follow the step by step directions and within seconds you have a line with leader permanently attached. If I can’t go wrong in putting it together, neither can you.

By the way, when the two are joined it becomes a permanent connection. While you will use up the tippet and perhaps part of the midsection, there isn’t much chance of using up the butt section. I’ve had leader butts connected to lines that have lasted for as much as three years or more. The only thing that required change is an occasional midsection and, of course, changing the tippet as flies come and go. If you’ve been changing out leaders when your tippet ran out, you’ve been wasting money!

At the end of the day, reel in: the connector will pass through the guides without a hitch and come to rest on the reel’s spool. There the connector will recline until your next outing requiring nothing save a quick examination to verify that the connection is still intact … If the leader is nicked, it’s time to learn to tie a few knots to attach a new tippet or midsection.

Now we come to the most important question -- how does it cast?

Simply stated, my second doubt evaporated: Inhibit the cast? No way! The L2L enhanced the cast. The ‘Ole Fly Fisher was wrong. I know it’s hard to believe but it is true: everything worked better, particularly with the 3 and 4-weight setups. In these lighter weights better distance, neat pickups, smoother turnovers are the name of the game. As you move up to the 6 or 7-weights, the magic effect of the connector is reduced a bit but its aerodynamic effect never goes completely goes away. By the way, the L2L makes a darn good strike indicator for those of us into nymphing. Just think: nothing to stick or tie-on … or, for that matter, come off.

Amazing!
Suffice it to say that the L2L connector makes for a smooth casting machine. I know it’s hard to believe, but it’s true. Isn’t that great? No longer does a neophyte (along with a few old-timers) have to worry about the witticism: When a knot’s not, it not a knot. Given the folks I’ve tried to help in tying knots, Scientific Anglers has advance the gentle sport by about ten years.

Like most things Scientific Anglers does, there is one shortcoming to the L2L System. I want an L2L tailored to fit my 8 and 9-weights… For the flats that would make my day. The leaders would be 7.5 or 9-feet with either a 12 or 16 pound class tippet.

I think I understand the problem from Scientific Anglers’ viewpoint – some manufacturers are still using “little� guides on bigger rods. So be it! I think they think “it looks good that way.� But increasingly the makers are learning that larger guides make for better casting, better wind fighting, and, therefore, better fishing in the salt. In my case if the prototype L2Ls for 8/9-weight work as I think they would, I would be the first to buy a rod with oversized guides … as if I didn’t have them already. I’ll bet you would, too … better casting, better distance, better wind fighting, better turnover … think about it … Of course there is always the real possibility that if you like the L2L system, 8 & 9-weight rods that will take the system will suddenly appear at your local fly shop … only a fool would fail to take advantage of the market.

It worth repeating: the L2L is a neat innovation. The Line Connector tool and 5 connectors will run about $3.99 while the Mastery Connector leader will be about $3.95. I think that’s a very good deal.

For more information regarding the System L2L Connector, contact:
3M Scientific Anglers, 3M Center, Bldg. 223-4NE-05, St. Paul, MN 55144-1000. Telephone: 1-(800) 430-5000.

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© Copyright: Douglas G. Macnair, 1999-2005.