knots for flies

[Estaz]

Looking to learn a strong knot for tying flies on when fishing the SR. Was using an improved clinched knot and broke off more fish than there are days in a month. My friends (who use bait hooks) tie a cross between a Palomar and Snell knot in which the loop is wrapped around the hook shank several times before it is pass through the hook point but I can't do that with flies. Any advice would be appreciated. I fish mostly egg patterns and a few streamers.

[Stonefly]

Was your line breaking at the knot or up your tippet?

Palomar Knot (http://http://www.animatedknots.com/palomar/index.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com)

[Snagger]

I'll second that knot. It is all I use for everything. Quick & easy to tie. Very strong knot. Make sure you wet the line before you pull it tight. Then hold on tight. There are some big fish this year. :fish:

[Eric**]

A polamar knot is a great knot but some times its hard to get the line through the hook eye twice with smaller flies.

I use an improved clinch a lot and rarely have the knot break. Make sure your tippet material isnt old and brittle, they do have a shelf life and always wet and pull your knots slowly, especialy with flouro.

Keep mono in a dark dry place when storing it. UV light ( sunlight ) weakens mono over time and because mono absorbs water it may become weakend over time if damp.

Flouro isnt as effected by light and does not absorb water ( 100% flouro ) so it isnt as touchy, but because it is harder it doesnt hold knots as well and heat weakens it greatly. Thats why when tying a knot with flouro it is important to wet and pull the knot slowly so as to not cause heat with friction.

[RacinRay]

2X tippet and larger...2 thru the eye clinch,4/5 wraps around,don't improve it.also uni or duncan loop knot...3x and smaller... orvis knot or clinch knot above.I use the orvis knot all winter long with 4x tippets on erie steel easy to tie not too much line waste strong knot..when tied correctly..all these knots are being used on fluorcarbon tippets..Ray

[Estaz]

Was using 1X and 2X Seagar Flouro tippet material and the line was breaking at the hook 3 out of 4 times (on average).

[woolybugger65]

Was using 1X and 2X Seagar Flouro tippet material and the line was breaking at the hook 3 out of 4 times (on average).


again, was your material new? if it was, was it exposed to the sun, or heat, for any extended period of time? i used to keep my trout tippet in my truck. turns to crap real fast in heat.

[Estaz]

Brand new.

[RacinRay]

Had bad luck improving a clinch or a trilene/double clinch,cuts it every time with fluoro.Look, if it has a little curly cue at the break,good sign the knot cut itself..Ray

[Bluefin]

Drennan floro...7 turn improved clinch (egg sacks with #10 or 12 hook)...almost never break off at the knot. I can probably count on one hand the knot breaks in the last 2 to 3 seasons. Drennan is the best light floro I have used. I gave up on Seaguar under 15 pound. Always wet the knot no matter what type of tippet you use.

[bobgreen]

for me on most flies like bluefin said it's a 7-turn improved clinch. make sure you're going back through the big loop. on some streamers, and when fishing in the salt, i use a loop knot. both work. make sure you wet the line as you cinch the knot tight, as the friction causes mono and fluoro to lose its strength.

[Silvertonedevil]

I really like the Orvis knot. It is easy to tie, very strong and doesn't use very much extra tippet.

http://www.orvis.com/orvis_assets/files/index.html

[flyguy]

Don't use fluoro for kings. No need.

Try an no-slip mono loop knot. I use it or a clinch...."improved" clinch is a misnomer.

[Ditchrat]

Don't use fluoro for kings. No need.

Whats up with your adversion to fluoro? :confused: You have said you dont need it before.:D


And it would be more accurate to say you dont need fluoro for kings the way you fish for them.

Baring that presentation fluoro will signifacantly increase the amount of kings you play with. I have seen kings move out of the way of 6lb test when fishing steelies two weeks ago(thank the good man up stairs). So any thing that would not alert a salmon to a un natural presence is a good thing.

Now I am also going to cut you off at the pass and save a post or two back and forth (we have already talked about it too)
Why would a fish that was hitting 50lb test two weeks ago be bothered by 12 or 15. My answer to that is two weeks ago they where in there safe place and now they are in a new and uncomfortable river.

PS just for the sake of disscussion let asume good intent.

[EagleCrg]

Seaguar is the problem. That brand is crap. I use a triline knot or a palomar knot and haven't had any trouble. Wetting the knot is really important. I used to have trouble but rarely do I have a knot give out anymore. One thing this fishery teaches you is your knots.

[Ditchrat]

Seaguar is the problem. That brand is crap. I use a triline knot or a palomar knot and haven't had any trouble. Wetting the knot is really important. I used to have trouble but rarely do I have a knot give out anymore. One thing this fishery teaches you is your knots.

Seaguar flouro is some of the best stuff out there. Almost everybody uses is, I think you might need to re-evaluate your know selection if seaguar is cuasing you problems

[Eric**]

I have seen a huge difference in the amount of strikes I get with flouro. as compared to mono.

That being said, I use mono when the water in stained and in low light periods unless the water is very clear.

It maybe just confidence or the fact that flouro gets your fly down quicker?

Just my 2 cents

[cinozzy]

i agree seaguar is GREAT. Flouro all the way. I also use and highly recommend the orvis knot. I forget where i read it but i think it was rated as a 90% knot where the improved clinch was closer to around 80% breaking strength. (not positve on numbers i'll try to find a link)