Quest Outdoors

stealthman · Eyed Egg Joined: 03 Sep 2004 Posts: 9

Could somebody please tell me what is meant by "mending the line" and how do you go about doing this?

Speyflyman · Egg Joined: 06 Mar 2004 Posts: 1

Well, let me make an attempt to explain. Mending the line is primarily a fly fishing way (Spey or 2 handed rods included)to either speed up or slowdown one's drift of the offering. A mend can be made even before the fly hits the water by a reach cast for example even though this cast is primarily to put a fly into a restricted drift it also is or can be a mend. To slow the drift is to mend or swing the line on the water back upriver, trying to have as little effect as possible on the line subsurface or if fishing dry to not effect the leader/tippet section; thus, slowing the drift to minimize drag. The opposite is true to speed up the drift: to mend that same line downriver. The mend is most necessary when one is casting across different turbulent flows in the river. If the flow were constant; then, no mend would likely be necessary or very little. There is a lot more that could be said; however, this is a basic explaination. Now, I'm no expert on the subject and that's just my $0.02. Stiver

Keith · Adult Joined: 01 Nov 2004 Posts: 62

In the UK, mending the line is very much a river float fishing technique and is - it would appear - used for the exact opposite reason mentioned by Speyflyman in some respects (although the "trick" is the same).

When a float is trotting downriver, it is essential (in order to maintain full control of the float) to maintain as straight and as tight a line as possible between the rod tip and the float.

As the float moves downstream though, the flow of the river and - depending on the direction - the wind, will put a bow in the line.

This can drag the float offline, affect the speed of the trot, and can make striking a bite much more difficult (more line between rod and float to pick up).

In order to ensure the line stays tight and straight, we flick the rod tip in a small semi-circular movement, in the opposite direction to the way the bow is forming (the rod held low and pointing more or less at the float), which has the effect of lifting the line from the water's surface, removing much of the bow in the line, and regaining direct contact with the float.

What it isn't for - in our tradition at any rate - is controlling the speed of the float (maintaining control yes - but that's slightly different): we control the speed of the float by slowing the reel with judicious use of a thumb on the rim of the reel (just as I imagine pin and float users do everywhere! Wink

).

spindle · Lunker Joined: 24 Oct 2004 Posts: 130

"Mending The Line" - aka breaking the line either side of a nasty tangle. Tying a suitable knot to join both bits.

Line mended

Laughing

Keith · Adult Joined: 01 Nov 2004 Posts: 62

GRRRR!!!

I know where you live!!

Wink

spindle · Lunker Joined: 24 Oct 2004 Posts: 130

Yeh... but where I live, my wife lives.

Deal with me by all means. But allow me to introduce the wife first....

Down girl, down I say Very Happy

gman2153 · Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2004 5:35 am Post subject:

Great explanation on mending Keith

Keith · Adult Joined: 01 Nov 2004 Posts: 62

Thank Gman.

It wasn't until I started writing it that I realised just how hard it is to put a fairly simple action into words, so I'm glad it makes some sense to someone other than me.

It's actually harder to put mending the line into words than it is to describe how to Wallis cast, to be honest...

Wink

Snowmonkey · Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2004 10:03 pm Post subject: Mending...

"Mending line" is the act of flipping the line on the water anywhere from several inches to several feet upstream to slow the drift/control drag. You accomplish this with a rolling motion of the tip of the rod to the upstream side. Very common in fly fishing with a floating line, but can also be done effectively with mono on longer drifts with float gear. Tip: adding some silicone fly floatant to the first dozen yards of line before a trip will make the mono float on the surface film, making mending even more effective.

Mike