The anti-tangle Hair Rig? The dissolving Snowman?
As you can see, we’re struggling to describe and name this clever and simple presentation because at different times it really is all of the above. Let us explain…
As is the case with many rigs, the basis of this presentation has derived from fine tuning to solve a problem, namely the issue of tangles when incorporating a long Hair. Now we’re not talking so much about hooklink tangles here, where the whole rig may wrap around the lead or leader for example; no, we’re talking about the Hair and hookbait tangling around the hook or just not sitting correctly due to the Hair being supple and longer than usual.
Although the use of a longer Hair, say 4-5cm in length can be problematic, the benefits can be great: mainly that cautious or pressured carp have more room to initially investigate and then suck back the hookbait before encountering the weight or resistance of the remaining terminal tackle. Where anglers are predominately using shorter more standard length rigs, Hairs or tying on hookbaits close to the hook, a long Hair can obviously then be a simple edge to apply with great effect.
Okay, so you like the sound of using a long Hair but not the high risk of it tangling – and this is where the new Mainline Dissolvas offer a nifty solution. Designed primarily as a hookbait, Dissolvas (as the name suggests) breakdown and dissolve in water over a period of around 4hrs in general water conditions. As they breakdown, they give off masses of attraction, which makes them equally adept at offering increased levels of attraction around standard hookbaits when used as small, two bait PVA stringers etc. and this is where our long Hair tangles solution develops.
Much like a PVA Stick helps prevent a long hooklink from tangling, a Dissolva placed on the long Hair can achieve exactly the same thing. So a single Dissolva, 18mm in size, goes onto the Hair first followed by a non-dissolving hookbait – a bright 12 or 15mm Balanced Wafter is perfect. Initially this creates a Snowman style arrangement that still contains freedom of movement and can still be easily taken by feeding fish.
But now for the best bit! The Dissolvas will then begin to breakdown and crumble away below the Wafter leaving it balanced and poised within this mouthful of attraction – perfectly positioned and untangled on the long Hair. All you really need to do rig-wise is start by placing the hookbaits on the Hair first so it’s the correct length, as you’ll see here…
Rig and bait bushcraft
HOW TO TIE THE DISSOLVAS ANTI-TANGLE RIG
1. As we said earlier, you’ll need some Cell or Hybrid Dissolvas and 12 or 15mm Balanced Wafters. 
2. This presentation works well with any style of Hair Rig – especially supple coated braids like this. 
3. Start the rig by stripping 8-10cm of coating away from the braid to create a soft, supple Hair Loop. 
4. Now add a Dissolva plus Balanced Wafter like this, so the baits are arranged in a Snowman style. 
5. The next step is to add a short 4mm piece of silicone tubing to the hooklink ready to hold the Hair. 
6. After threading on the silicone, thread your hook (we’re using a size 6 wide gape) through the silicone. 
7. Now you can gently pull the hookbaits down to the hook – setting the length and position of the Hair.
8. Secure the hook with a six turn Knotless Knot and add a kicker with a short section of shrink tube. 
9. The Hair may not seem that long, but remember it will be this length once the Dissolva breaks down. 
10. Add an anti-tangle sleeve to the hooklink and tie a Figure-Eight-Loop-Knot ready for attachment. 
11. With the rig ready to go you can boost the food signal further with a two bait Dissolvas PVA stringer. 
12. The Dissolva will breakdown to leave the Wafter on a long Hair presented something like this.