Steve glad I could help.
Jeff, this is on decoy line but it's dug out of my archives from the late 90's I think Anyone know who Mudhen-PA was back in the early internet days?
Scott AKA: CTducker
I also have not been able to locate any of my old time favorites for the past few seasons, so I reverted to how we used to do it back in the 50's. Back then we started with cotton rope, but braided nylon is far superior. Find the diameter you like best (my favorite for puddle dekes is 1/8' - for divers I like 3/16' - for sea ducks I would suggest 1/4') and get a gallon of the cheapest flat black oil based paint you can find.
Best to do this outside, in an area you can spill a little paint. Pour off about 1/3 of the gallon of paint, and submerse the entire 100' or more of nylon line into the can. Leave it in there for at least and hour (I leave it overnight), then remove and place on a piece of cardboard or similar surface while it dries. After several days, unwind and stretch out tightly (between a couple of trees is good) and let hang that way for several more days until completely dry. Cut to length - don't have to burn.
There are some minor inconveniences during the first season of use. It is too stiff at first, but take your time and wrap carefully a few times and that works out. It is a little bit shiny until used a few times, then turns a charcoal gray which is hard to see even in clear water. Some of the black will rub off onto your hands while handling the first few times.
By the time the second season, and many subsequent seasons thereafter, this stuff is absolutely wonderful. It won't rot, it won't unravel, is extremely resistant to any knotting, it turns to a dark gray color and sinks, and it won't damage the decoys like some of those finer twines can. If you rig with clips at both ends, you have an endless number of combinations you can achieve.
Experiment with several sizes and see if you don't like it. If you are making rigs with main lines, put loop knots in before you soak in paint. Knots are harder to tie once the paint has dried. I use a two-loop fisherman's knot to attach to decoy ring or snap loop, etc. Be prepared to use pliers if necessary and have some waterless hand soap to clean the paint from your hands when finished.
This is by far better than anything I have ever used, including tarred line, which continues to be dirty and never dries.
Last season I spent a total of about 4 hours preparing 1000'. This year I put together 300' for Donald Hughes, and it took me about 1 1/2 hours total.
Give it a try, I think you will like it once you get through the first season.
Mudhen-PA