1) Form a loop of the required
size in the wire. If attaching a hook or swivel, thread
the wire through the eye.
Hold the loop between the first finger and thumb of
the left hand, or in a pair of pliers. Cross strand
A under strand B. Grip the two strands between the first
finger and thumb of the right hand with the pad of the
finger on top of strand A and pad of the thumb under
strand B.
2) Whilst holding the loop steady
with the left hand, rotate the right wrist clockwise
through 90 degrees pressing down on strand A whilst
simultaneously pressing up on strand B. The two strands
will have taken a half wrap around each other.
This is the basic technique to learn. It is important
to recognise that BOTH strands must wrap around each
other, rather than one strand merely being wrapped around
the other. This provides the great strength of the Haywire
twist.
3) Continue to twist, the number
of twists depends on the size of wire and the type of
fishing. When using no.8 – no.12 wire (approx
100 lb – 200 lb) I recommend six to eight twists.
When using heavy wire such as no.19 (400 lb approx)
10 – 12 twists is not too many.
4) To finish the join make four
to six tight Barrel wraps around the main strand. When
using heavy wire use eight to ten wraps. Don't worry
if your buddies kid you about being so thorough, let
them lose fish through poor preparation, it won't happen
to you.
Don't try to cut the tag end off, it will always leave
a sharp end to cut an unwary wireman, break it off using
the following technique. Make a bend in the tag end
so that the end points away from the main strand at
90 degrees. Use this bend as a crank handle, like the
starting handle on an old car, to twist the wire right
around. It will break off cleanly, usually before you
have made a full rotation.
