Tying With Arthritic Hands

[slough foot]

I have a mission to find an answer for a friend who spends more time struggling with tying on flies than fishing. His hands are arthritic and in windy situations it's even more difficult. Ideas will be appreciated.

[Ray]

Have him use a threader, they can be found in the sewing section at most stores. They have a metal tab and a fine wire loop that easily goes through the eye of the fly, put the wire through the eye, put the leader in the big loop of the tool then pull the tool back through the eye. the fly will now be on the tippet. tie an easy knot like a triple surgeon slip knot & your all set.

[jjtroutbum]

Could also get a C&F DESIGN fly box with threaders. You load the threaders with flies then when needed. Slip the thread through the threader and pull the fly off. Line now through the eye of the fly.

This isn't the cheapest option and I have not used them but seems to me to be a wonderful design for those of us that can no longer see a fine tippet and 20 size or smaller eyes all that well without magnification.

Easiest knot That I know of is Davy's Knot. link below

http://www.fieldandstream.com/fields...666_10,00.html

[tailingloop]

Lefty Kreh's new book "Fishing Knots" (the one that comes with a DVD) shows a method of connecting tippet to leader, and of connecting tippet to fly, using hemostats (forceps) to help assist with the know.

You can see both online, including video here:

www.flyfisherman.com/videos/hemostatknots/

The video on the DVD that comes with the book is better than the one on the Flyfisherman site, but you still get the idea.

[James Smith]

He might also consider a knot tool for tying like the one at this link http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...tool&noImage=0 that will make tying on flies MUCH easier.

Jim Smith

[slough foot]

Ray,

I'm familiar with the surgeon knot. But the way I tie it it doesn't slip down toward the fly. Instead it tightens to form a loop.

[Ray]

slough, it's fast and so easy to tie I can tie it easily in the dark. Put the fly on the tippet and slide it a few inches down the line, tie a double overhand loop on the tag end, now put the fly into the loop forming a triple loop now just pull it tight to the fly.

[slough foot]

Great knot. It's so easy I would like to use it. Any down-side to using it instead of the improved clinch knot?

[TomW]

While this might not seem at first to be important, have your friend to tie with a strong pair of reading glasses. Some times seeing the target better can guide the hands better and may solve his problem. Another suggestion is to clamp the fly to be tied on, in your forceps instead of holding the fly with your fingers.

Tom

[bdesavage]

This is just my .02 worth, but as one who somedays takes 20 minutes to tie on a fly due to how well my hand's DON"T work due to "unkle Arty" all I can really offer is try the "Hemostat" knots, and all the others and use the one that is easiest(Try them at home while watching the idiot box) and use that method. Then when on the Stream do what I do just enjoy the surrondings where you are and don't worry about how long it take's for as Betty says"Trout don't live in ulgy places".