Awhile back I wrote about the Quik Tye line threader and how it looked like a pretty good solution for aging eyes. Granted a good pair of readers is essential but even that doesn’t solve all the putzing around sometimes, especially when you have had one to many cups of coffee or fish are flying in every direction and you are frantically trying to tie on the killer bug that happens to be on a #18 or #20 hook. Enter the line threader.
I ordered my Quik Tye line threader from Rogue Angler, I think it was around $17 with shipping. Basically it works like this.
You slide the two pivoting parts apart, if you have a small hook you obviously use the end marked “S”, large hook use the opposite end marked “L”. The hooks head is placed on the bottom and held in place while you slide the top piece over it.
This holds it in place. This is actually the trickiest maneuver of the whole operation especially with the smaller flies.
Then you just take your tippet and stick it down the hole and if your hooks head is lined up in the hole properly it comes out the bottom.
Pull the tippet around and pinch them together, gently pull line through the grooves on the end and slide open the Quik Tye and pull the fly and line off. A little care needs to be taken as you pull line through the grooves on lighter tippet material.
That’s it, tie your knot and away you go. All in all a pretty good solution for taking most of the headache out of quick fly changes for eyes over 40.
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I found the Quik Tye in my tackle box and couldn’t remember how to use it. (I’m getting to where I really need it, too.) So I appreciate the refresher. Thanks, Wayne.
I found the Quik Tye in my tackle box and couldn’t remember how to use it. (I’m getting to where I really need it, too.) So I appreciate the refresher. Thanks, Wayne.
Mine came with no instructions, so this was so helpful. Thanks.
Good deal! That is kind of a bummer. Maybe I should try a video and sell it to Qwik Tye. There’s nothing more frustrating than watching rising fish that only want #20 bugs and you can’t find the damn hook eye!