1/8-inch Amsteel can be used with a modified taut line hitch by passing three loops on the inside and three loops on the outside, dress it up and tighten until it has a good amount of friction on the slider. Been using this until I got a fid. Works surprisingly well. A simple video follows of a taut line hitch. Mighty handy to have in your arsenal.

https://youtu.be/1jkN3K5G8eE