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Coming before end September 2006 Forum opens in new window
KNOTS  

Introduction
Setting the hook on a big fish definitely gets the adrenaline pumping; almost instantaneously the fly fisher runs a quick analysis through his mind of tippet strength and the knots tied. The fish has a blistering first run with some vigorous head shaking and all off a sudden the tension in the line is gone…. Reeling the line in he finds the infamous little pig’s tail at the end of his tippet, the knot slipped way under the breaking strength of the tippet – tears can’t explain his emotions.

All the knots in a fly fishing rig make up vital kinks between angler and fish, from the knot connecting backing (when seen this knot creates serious stress) to the knot used to tie on the fly. The best place to practice knots is at home; when a specific knot is not tied often you will forget it. All proven fishing knots test 90% or more of the breaking strength of the line used to tie it i.e. if a knot tests 95% and is tied in 10 pound line the knot will slip at 9.5 pounds if seated properly.

Terms
Lubricate – Wet the knot with saliva or water before it is seated, this prevents the line from losing strength due to friction and allows for the knot to be properly seated.

Standing Part
Refers to the main part of the line oppose to the short part used to tie the knot with.

Tag End
Refers to the short part of the line used to tie the knot

Loop
A closed curve of line used in general to join with another closed curve.

Knot Tips

  • Always lubricate the knot before seating it
  • Evenly seat the knot up till a point where the line can not move any further, don’t jerk the knot tight.
  • Follow directions with regards the amount of turns used to tie a knot, in general more turns are used in lighter lines and less in heavy lines
  • Use a sufficient length of line to tie the knot, a short tag end is difficult to work with.
  • Knots in heavier lines can only be seated properly with the use of pliers.
  • Trim the tag end short.
  • Check knots occasionally during fishing, especially after a fish was landed.
Knots to Tie on a Fly

Figure 8 Knot
The Figure 8 knot is used to tie on a fly using nylon coated multi strand wire. Apart from this knot all knots I know off tied in multi strand wire should be seated by pulling on the tag end, this eliminates the wire kink.
Haywire Twist
The Haywire Twist is used in single strand wire for tying on a hook or forming a loop to which the tippet can be tied.
Uni Knot
This knot is useful in tying on small flies with light tippets since a big loop makes it easier to pass the tag end through. The knot can be finished of by creating a loop and then seating the knot by pulling on the tag end (step 4 below) – Duncan loop. The Duncan loop tends to slip under pressure and a non slip mono loop is recommended. The Uni Knot can also be used to attach backing to the reel arbor.
Improved Clinch Knot
This popular knot is used to tie on a hook in line testing 2lb – 15lb.
Loops

Joining Loops
The blue line below is the tippet end and the yellow line the standing part.
Perfection Loop
The Perfection Loop is not as bulky as the Surgeons Loop when tied in heavier line. This knot also lies straight in line with the leader.
Surgeons Loop
A versatile knot and easy to tie . When used in light tippets (4X – 8X) take the loop through the small loop 3 times.
Non Slip Loop
A useful knot giving the fly freedom of movement. This knot is mainly used in streamer and lure type flies in fresh water and for most part in all salt water patterns where wire is not required. Make 5 turns in 3X up to 1X tippet material and 4 turns in heavier salt water tippets.
Dropper Loop
The Dropper Loop can be used to attach more than one fly on the leader. Additional flies can be attached by means of a surgeons loop joined to the Dropper Loop or one end of the Dropper Loop can be cut at the standing part.
joining lines together

Kneedle Knot
There is various ways of tying the Needle/Nail Knot. In essence the principle is the same, by using single strand wire which can compress the process is simplified and quick. When using braided loops secure the braid by means of a needle knot using 12 lb monofilament oppose to the plastic sleeves that comes with the loop. The yellow line in the pictures below is the leader while the blue line is the fly line.
Surgeon Knot
The Surgeons Knot follows the same principle as the Surgeons Loop. The Surgeons Loop is used when lines of different diameters are joined. The blue line is the tippet added to the leader.
Albright Knot with a Lock
A knot all fly fishers should know. This knot can be used to join backing to fly line, leader to fly line or in the construction of leaders where wire is used. Practice this knot at home since it takes a while to control the memory inherent to fishing line. The blue line is the thinner line joined to the thicker yellow line in the steps below.
Barrel Knot
The Barrel Knot can be used when joining lines of similar diameter. Lines testing below 12 lb require 5 turns with 4 turns and less in heavier line. A tag end can also be left to add a dropper fly.


 
 
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