Leader connector

Claim 1

A connector in combination with knotted ends of two pliable lines, which lines do not differ greatly in diameter, such as a fly line and a leader, and comprising: a tubular connecting member constructed of a stretchable material and having an axial passageway extending through it and a longitudinally elongated side opening intersecting the passageway having a length greater than the combined diameters of the said knotted ends of the two lines, said passageway being slightly larger in cross-section than the diameter of one of said lines, the width of said side opening being somewhat larger than the diameter of said lines and less than a knotted end thereof, whereby the side opening is dimensioned with respect to said knotted ends such that, when assembled, the knotted ends are forced into the side opening by stretching the connector, thereby effecting a tight fit of the knotted ends within said side opening, said connecting member being proportioned such that the axial passageway receives the lines with a small clearance, the clearance being such that a knot in a line cannot fit in the passageway, with one line extending into the passageway from one end thereof, with the other line extending into the passageway from the other end thereof, and with the knotted ends of each line being fitted within the side opening, whereby to interconnect the lines.