Hey everyone! Here is my “basic” question of the day…
What knot do any of you use to tie the fly to the tippet?
I tried searching for the answer but didn’t come up with much. The reason for my question is that I have reached that “magic” age where my eyesight is starting to be a challenge. Probably time for the bi-focals! Looking for the best knot for these middle aged eyes to handle. Thanks.
[This message has been edited by Royce (edited 10 March 2006).]
I use the ‘improved clinch’ knot for almost all of my fly to tippet connections. The only exception is for very small flies (20-24) on very light tippets (6x-8x) then I switch to the ‘uni-knot’ sometimes refered to as the ‘Orvis-knot’. The uni-knot is a little less bulky and looks better on the really small ones.
I am 59 and I use the “Davy knot” You might have to do a search for that but after you practice the knot it’s easy to tie. Sometimes I use 2# test line. Its a bit dificult with small line but it is a great knot. I have “hateyes” to magnify the process too.
Jim
I use the Duncan loop knot sometimes called the Uniknot. Works for me.
Dick xfishcop
There are lots of fly to tippet knots. I have a similar problem regarding near vision and I tie a clinch knot. You can tie a good clinch knot using your forceps. It’s simple enough that I think I can describe it in words.
(1) Thread the tippet through the hook’s eye and form a loop with about 1/2 inch of the tag end extending past the main tippet section.
(2) Grasp the tippet where the tag end crosses over the main tippet with thumb and forefinger. The fly will be hanging loose on the loop.
(3) Insert the tip of your forceps into the loop and twirl around 5-7 times. The twists forming the clinch should be between your forceps and your thumg and forefinger’s grasp of the main line tippet and tag end.
(4) Without removing the forceps from the loop, grasp the tag end of the tippet and pull through the loop.
(5) You’ve now formed the knot. Moisten and tighten as usual.
You can also tie a great double or triple surgeon’s knot using your forceps in a similar fashion.
I like these methods because they are so fast to tie and result in a good knot. There are knots with a higher measured knot strength than the clinch – but a well seated clinch knot is better than any other knot that isn’t well seated. (opinion expressed there)
Lots of good fishermen and women use clinch knots – some that I really respect a lot. I think even JC uses a clinch knot.
[This message has been edited by BigFlatBrook (edited 10 March 2006).]
[This message has been edited by BigFlatBrook (edited 10 March 2006).]
Royce,
I know what you mean about being visually challenged. I’ve found the Orvis Knot to be strong and easy to tie. Directions can be viewed at [url=http://www.orvis.com/orvis_assets/files/index.html.:1b557]www.orvis.com/orvis_assets/files/index.html.[/url:1b557]
Good luck,
Will
There is nothing cooler than threading the eye letting go of the fly and watch it drop because,I missed. I prefer the clinch as it’s the one my father taught me 45 years ago and I can tie it in my sleep. Palomar is also a nice Knot that retains a high percentage of the tippet test strength. Some knots anly test out at 60 to 65%.
“Illegitimus nil Carborundum”
The Pitzen is a good knot.
Lefty Kreh non-slip loop knot.
Hi Royce. You need a few in your arsenal to handle different types of flies and what kind of action you may want to impart. I’m with Lee, I use the Sosin/Kreh non slip mono for loop knot situations. Never had one fail if tied properly. For dries I use a double Turle, or you could try the George Harvey, which I think is favored by Kreh. I have heard people knock the Turle, but I have always had good luck with it. Learn to tie at least one of each type (loop and dries) and you will be covered. There are a LOT of knot tutorials on the internet that will keep you practicing for hours. LOL. Some knots will seem easier for you than others, so concentrate on those and get them down pat.
Bob
Another vote for the Davy Wotton fly knot. I have caught some good size steelhead with this knot. Never had the knot fail. It is easy to tell when you are tying it if it is done the right way. If you end up with an overhand knot - it is wrong. Also easy to do with very cold hands.
Pardon this newbie forum members intrusion. Try this link to pratical descriptions and instructions for not only Duncans and Pitzens but a bunch of others too.
[url=http://www.pechetruite.com/Noeuds/hook2.htm#Pitzen:fe729]http://www.pechetruite.com/Noeuds/hook2.htm#Pitzen[/url:fe729]
Regards,
Turch
I use a surgeons loop on all flies (allowes heavier tippet on smaller flies without affecting the float)
she who dies with the most toy’s wins.
Royce, take a look at the Weaver’s knot in the knots section of the FAOL features. Great for bad eyes and shaky fingers. As a tip, put a little soft weight on smaller flies as you tie this knot.
For me the hardest part is threading the eye of the hook. Flip up magnifiers help a lot, as does the use of C&F threader fly boxes for my smallest flies.
I always use the palomar. Its very strong
Another vote for the Orvis knot . Whatever you tie , be sure to moisten it before you pull it tight .
Life is like a fly swap…You never know what your going to get.
Royce…
Depends on the application.
If I want movement between the tippet and the fly, I prefer the Kreh Loop Knot.
If I want a rigid connection, as for dry flies, I would use a Pitzen Knot.
Both knots come close to 100%
Turch - it’s always good to see new faces on here. Thanks for sharing the link!
Royce - I use the improved clinch note because it’s what I tie out of habit. (it’s what I learned as a kid eons ago).
This season, I was planning to try the uni-knot and the mono loop but I think Fly Goddess’ method just bumped the mono loop off.
I’ve wanted to use the Duncan Loop in the past but for tiny flies, threading them is a pain and I tend to end up using a threader which can’t be extracted without pulling the tag end through the eye of the fly. That leaves the line set up wrong for that knot.
I think I can solve that problem by snipping one end of the threader near the handle. That will let it till pull the line through small hook eyes, but will also allow me to remove the threader without having to pull that tag through the eye. That leaves the line doubled up through the eye…which is what’s needed for the Palomar Loop (if I’m thinking of the right knot).
[This message has been edited by Thwack (edited 10 March 2006).]
Dries mostly the Swurl Knot which I learned from doug swisher. Quickest usable knot I know.
For nymphs moslty the Weaver Knot (inverted duncan) which I learned from Daryl Martin and sometimes the Swurl.
Is not the sky a father and the earth a mother, and are not all living things with feet or wings or roots their children? Give me the strength to walk the soft earth, a relative to all that is!
-----Black Elk, Lakota Sioux Holy Man 1863-1950
from: “Black Elk Speaks”, pub 1932
Another vote for the Davey knot…for snugging the fly to the tippet. If you need a loop, like with a Clouser, use the Rapala or Lefty’s open loop knot.
[This message has been edited by bluegill (edited 12 March 2006).]