Tackle

Information on Tackle and Equipment used at BFCC Competition events is provided here, though the Club no longer sells them. Further advice on tackle can be provided by contacting the Club Committee Members (on the Home Page) or through the Facebook Page.

T38 ICSF Orange Coloured Shooting Head Line – is over 38gm and over 15m long.

This line makes T38 (38gm max. x 15m min. length) for any caster, also T34 (34gm max. x 13.5m min. length) for ladies, juniors under 18 years and seniors 50 years and over, if preferred.

All lines are slightly different, so careful length measurement is needed and weighing is best done with an electronic platform letter scale. A ‘trial and error’ procedure, using small masking tape markers to retain the front taper, while achieving the correct overall length and weight is needed. Nail or needle knot a 3m long leader over the thin end, tapered by knotting together sections from approx. 20lb BS butt to 8lb BS point of stiff material, then knot a 25mm long piece of red wool in its centre, to the point. Approx. 6m of 20lb BS abrasion resistant nylon holding line should be added to the belly end, which can be joined by pushing a hot needle up the line’s core and out through the side wall after 10mm, pushing the nylon through, then nail or needle knotting over. Then knot on about 60m of 8lb BS running line. All nylon (or similar material) should be coloured to contrast with grass for best visibility. The reel should be as light as possible, but must be large enough to hold all the line.

T120 ICSF Orange Coloured Shooting Head Line –  is over 120gm and over 17m long. This line makes T120 (120gm max. is the only restriction) for any caster.

The individual line weight selected will vary according to the ability of the caster and the stiffness of the rod to be used, however, a well established starting point, based on the BFCC Club outfit is 112gm which is approx. 16m long.

Having selected the line’s weight and marked its front taper with masking tape, using an electronic platform letter scale select the weight and mark the length required. Nail or Needle knot a 5m long leader over the thin end, tapered by knotting together sections from approx. 30lb BS butt to 10lb BS point of stiff material, then knot a 25mm long piece of red wool in its centre, to the point. Approx. 7m of 35lb BS hollow braided nylon holding line, which prevents dangerous slipping when wet, should be added to the belly end by nail or needle knotting over. This join is best finished by smoothly whipping with fly tying silk 5mm either side of the knot to the lines’ ends, then varnished, which will ensure smooth sliding. Then taper the braided nylon down in diameter similar to the leader but only 2m long, then knot on about 70m of 8lb BS running line. All nylon (or similar material) should be coloured to contrast with grass for best visibility. The reel should be as light as possible, but must be large enough to hold all the line.

T38 BLANK 9ft 6ins LONG – 2 pieces staggered overfit ferrule, top 67″ or 1702mm, butt 50.5″ or 1282mm, weight 3.35oz or 95gm. Butt diam. 0.55″ or 14mm, tip diam. 0.098″ or 2.5mm un-ground finish. This blank will cast T34 and T38 lines.

Suggested Fuji black single leg ring spacings starting from tip ring BMOT6 x 2.4, BOG6 – 110,150mm, BOG7 – 170, 205, 270mm, BOG10 – 310, 330, 330mm, BNOG16 triple leg (fit single leg up blank) – 330mm. The tip ring is low to minimize tip twist and should be epoxy glued on. Single leg intermediates keep the line off the rod when hauling, the butt ring should be angled in the direction of hauling and all may be held on by insulation tape in the short term. These rings are usually strong enough to withstand a direct hit with the line. The overfit should be wrapped with nylon reinforced tape over the length of the inserted spigot. A suitable butt handle is a Wayland Duplon DH25 diam. x 54 long x 12 bore, opened out to tightly fit the 14 diam. butt. Tape up the blank to 15.8 diam. to tightly fit Fuji DPS 16 BR reel fitting bore – fitted with fixed ring up blank. A ref. W2 Full Wells cork handle 28 diam x 190 x 8.5 bore which overfits the reel fitting, should be opened out to tightly fit the blank. Self adhesive cork strip 16 x 1mm to build up the handle, if needed, is available in 1m multiples. Rod bag 11ft x 2pce. All these accessory items are available direct from website: www.hopkinsholloway.co.uk

SA MED LINES – orange #5 and #7 lines available from a Scientific Angler’s stockist.

BARRIO GT125 LINES – orange 5#, 7# and 27g lines available from www.flylineshop.com