What knot do you use for tippet to fly? Do you use different for nymphs, streamers, and dry flies? Or different sizes? If so why or why not? I'm just being curious.
Thanks,
hNt
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What knot do you use for tippet to fly? Do you use different for nymphs, streamers, and dry flies? Or different sizes? If so why or why not? I'm just being curious.
Thanks,
hNt
For most trout flies, I used to use the Eugene Sling, which is similar to the Pitzen knot. I started using the double Davey knot a couple of years ago and now use it most of the time. I like it because it is strong, small and quick to tie. For most streamers or flies on stiffer tippet, I use the non-slip mono loop knot to give flies more action.
Ted
I like the Orvis (Becker) knot. Art Scheck recommended it in his Fly-Fish Better book, as did the late Bill Nash, the West Coast knot guru.
It's strong and very easy to tie.
I prefer to use the Turle knot, which is much like the Orvis knot except in the Orvis knot the fly stays in the loop while tying it and in the Turle knot the fly is allowed to drop down the leader, the loop formed, then the fly is brought back up the leader and the loop is moved over the fly. Both knots work really well and are 100% strength knots.
Larry ---sagefisher---
Improved clinch for nearly everything.
Eugene bend with forceps... fast and strong, easy with all tippet sizes , weather conditions and shaky hands. I often use a loop knot with streamers
Can I jump in and expand this to include what knot works best for folks with arthritic fingers? I find that tying on a fly is no longer as automatic as it used to be and too often the final test tug shows that I have failed to tie a good knot.
Much the reason I use the improved clinch...I've been tying it since i was drowning worms at age 5. I can do it about as mindless as picking my nose. arthritis or tremors.Quote:
Originally Posted by rainbowchaser
+1 on the Eugene BendQuote:
Originally Posted by okflyfisher
Brad
Since I fish mainly sub-surface flies, I switched to a non-slip loop knot that Left Kreh showed me at one of the FF shows I tied at. http://www.netknots.com/fishing_knot...lip-loop-knot/ It is easy to tie, very strong and I think allows more action for sub-surface flies like leeches and streamers.
Jim Smith
For most of my flies, the Canoe Man Loop knot. Super simple. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfHU6Dr9dKM
Although I don't suffer from arthritis (not in my fingers, anyhow) I agree with rainbowchaser. My belief has always been that the best knot is the one that can be easily and accurately tied with freezing fingers in failing light. For me, that remains the same old improved clinch knot which I have probably tied millions of times over so many years that it is pure habit.
The clinch and improved clinch are easy to tie with the help of hemostats. I use ones with small beaks when fishing for trout and panfish, where the tippets are darn thin, and medium ones for bass. My hands still work decently, but in fading light, with cold, wet fingers, the hemos are a great help.
Chuck
Old fly fisherman and knot tying are like water, after awhile they simply seek their own level.
I've tried a lot of different knots and finally settled on a few simple ones depending on the circumstances of what I'm doing/using. I should think my main stay is the simple clinch, it has proven itself and I can tie it on in the dark. For something small, like a midge or gnat, with a size 18 hook, that Davy knot is real small, easy to tie and trust worthy. For nymphs and streamers (especially streamers), I use a non slip loop - improves the streamer swimming action for sure. Now, if I get out the 9wt rod and after some big fish, and simply using a straight mono leader (like a 10#), and using a Clouser's Minnow for example, the Palomar is a tough no nonsense knot.
For direct connection to streamers or when using larger mono for poppers, I use a 16/20 knot that Lefty showed me at a show some years ago. For most of my streamer fishing I also use a no-slip loop knot. For everything else, I use an Improved Clinch. I need to learn the riffle hitch in the rare instances when skating a caddis or crackleback dry is the ticket.
I like both the Orvis knot and the double Davy knot
see the end of the video where a spring loaded fly clamp is used. good luckQuote:
Originally Posted by rainbowchaser
http://midcurrent.com/knots/how-to-t...ble-davy-knot/
Uni knot and have been using it for about 35 years, or for wiggle, the Non-Slip Mono knot...
PT/TB
For those of you (us) that have arthritis starting in on our hands/fingers, you can try the cinch tie knot tyer. Here's a link to a video showing it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mD9zJwgyeo
I have one and it sure makes it easier, especially if my hands are cold. Just a thought...
Jim Smith
Jack Crawford!
I've been thru many, many yards of 4X to 6X tippet and tested a lot of knots I thought best of all of them. Finally got proven wrong via the "pull test using large bass hooks down to smaller trout hooks and this knot wins my tests over and over.
Gentle, slow pulls to break or a quick snap in different makes of mono, varied tests strengths and using spit to lube a slowly closed knot.
Works for me but to each his own. Also use it in my 80# braided muskie line for chucking baits the size of a brookie with muskie eqpt. and myslef and a good friend of 35 yrs have never busted off a bait with that knot when slinging big baits or setting hooks.
Trouting and 6X, where I need to know I'm comfy with the most strength percentage is where the knot means most to me. This, from waaay too many yards of line and much too much time invested. But, I get like that.
To each his own....it's the knot that you're most comfy with that is THE best knot for you. I found mine and I'm very assured of it....for me!!
Jeremy.
Jeremy, I must admit that I've never gotten to the point of measuring the strength via pull tests on a variety of hooks and line weights. I am curious however, what knot are you referring to that is the best knot for you?
Jim Smith
Hi Jim,
It's the knot I began the post with, the "Jack Crawford". My apologies if that may have sounded like someone's name, I should have put it in "quotes" maybe??
I never measured the actual breaking strengths per se' only compared by tying the Crawford to a marked hook and then various other knots to the other hooks with approx. 12" -15" or so of tippet between them. I'd gently pull sometimes, yank hard other times -- and see which knot gave out!
Not always did the Crawford win out to which I attributed some error, likely on my part as I can't blame anyone or anything else. So, by that very varied ste of circumstances it made me try again and again to see for my own satisfaction. Lots an' lots of tippet...I wanted to be pretty darn sure for own satisfaction.
Might not be for everyone but I had to see for myself rather than ask around. It's important to me, especially in lighter tippet sizes.
I nearly didn't post this b/c is such a subjective issue so----anyone should do as much actual testing as they feel assured with. I'm just sharing my own results as I really did the work and it took some time, I'll tell ya!
Here's the link, hope it works....
http://www4.gvsu.edu/triert/s/crawford.html
As with anything new, it seems odd at first. It's not. just remember to pinch the line tag between fingers and...the lower set of instructions is better than the first pics.
I'm out - as this can get "stewy" on forum postings with differing opinions.
Jeremy. edit: Use the last 3-4 explanations and "pinch" as suggested. Also when tied properly this knot will "pop" as you seat it/tug it fully. On trout tippets though I often don't especially on 6X since it's so light. Other tippet, 5X and up I will. You'll feel it "Seat" as it pops over. She won't slip!
I use the same clinch knot I learned as a little kid. May not be the "best" knot, highest strength, etc, but I can tie it in gloves in bad light in moments. I've tried many other knots over the years, but never caught any more fish and wasted a lot more fishing time trying to recall how to do them.
*grins* - Ain't that the truth.Quote:
Originally Posted by DG
A pretty contentious subject and at the same time pretty important. Gotta love this sport. More of a "lifestyle" than anything...