02-26-2007, 05:00 PM
I like the loop to loop connections like what Fly Goddess talked about. It is what I have on all my fly lines and leaders now. But it is not necessary. Just my preference.
However, there are a lots of ways to make the leader to fly line connections. All of which have their addicted fans and many others that berate the knot.
Nail knots are one of the most common knots to use and certainly will work. However, it is not an easy knot to tie especially when the hands are cold. I have used the nail knot on various leaders. But I don't tie them that often so have to look something up to remember the best way to tie it. Click on the nail knot explanation on this page:
[url "http://www.netknots.com/html/fishing_knots.html"]http://www.netknots.com/html/fishing_knots.html[/url]
Some tapered leader manufacturers now tie a loop into the end of the leader for you. That is a good thing for beginners. If there is not a loop already in the end of leader then you can put a loop in it. by tying a perfection loop.
Here is an animation of the perfection loop.
[url "http://www.animatedknots.com/perfection/index.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com"]http://www.animatedknots.com/...ww.animatedknots.com[/url]
[url "http://www.netknots.com/html/fishing_knots.html"][/url]
Another simple knot to use in place of the perfection loop, that should work well for a beginner to tie, is the surgeons loop.
Here is an animation of the surgeons loop.
[url "http://www.animatedknots.com/surgeonsloop/index.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com"]http://www.animatedknots.com/...ww.animatedknots.com[/url]
Once you have the loop in the leader there is a very simple knot but over looked knot. Most anglers don't even know it. Some experienced anglers have been using it for many years. Some people don't even consider it because they think it will snag things or come loose. But the people that use it a lot say poppy cock.
It is a knot used by laplanders for hundreds of years because it is quick and easy to tie in the cold. It is called the Lap Knot (or the Castwell knot on another forum) It is shown on this page along with the Sheep's bend which is almost identical. For this to work you need the loop (or a U bend) to be in the leader and then thread the end of the fly line through it to form the Lap Knot.
[url "http://www.realknots.com/...etb.htm#Xschootsteek"]http://www.realknots.com/...etb.htm#Xschootsteek[/url]
If you use just a 'U' you put in the leader but section, in place of make a loop knot, then pay close attention to the direction you wrap the leader around and through the leader relative to the tag end of the 'U'.
If you are not changing leaders a lot then this should be a quick and dirty method that will work well for you.
Since the fly line and the butt end of the leader are a lot stronger than the fine tippets you use you will not be having any break offs at the fly line - leader connection. If you are catching tuna and marlin then you may want to use a different set of knots.
With the loop knots you can adjust the size of the loop by shoving the material backwards through the knot, BEFORE you tighten the knot down. Some knots it is easy to do some it is hard to do.
With all knots you want to moisten the knot just before you do the finally tightening. Most people use their own spit others dunk it in the water.
For a loop on the Fly line I sometimes use these (or another Cortlands same product)
[url "http://www.jsflyfishing.com/cgi-bin/item/LL-215110-0000/1000/RIO-Products-Braided-Loops.html"]http://www.jsflyfishing.com/...s-Braided-Loops.html[/url]
But by the end of the season they need to be replaced.
(generally speaking; the smaller the knot and the smoother the knot transitions are the easier it will travel through the line guides. Applying Loons UV knot sense to the knot can smooth transitions)
[signature]
However, there are a lots of ways to make the leader to fly line connections. All of which have their addicted fans and many others that berate the knot.
Nail knots are one of the most common knots to use and certainly will work. However, it is not an easy knot to tie especially when the hands are cold. I have used the nail knot on various leaders. But I don't tie them that often so have to look something up to remember the best way to tie it. Click on the nail knot explanation on this page:
[url "http://www.netknots.com/html/fishing_knots.html"]http://www.netknots.com/html/fishing_knots.html[/url]
Some tapered leader manufacturers now tie a loop into the end of the leader for you. That is a good thing for beginners. If there is not a loop already in the end of leader then you can put a loop in it. by tying a perfection loop.
Here is an animation of the perfection loop.
[url "http://www.animatedknots.com/perfection/index.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com"]http://www.animatedknots.com/...ww.animatedknots.com[/url]
[url "http://www.netknots.com/html/fishing_knots.html"][/url]
Another simple knot to use in place of the perfection loop, that should work well for a beginner to tie, is the surgeons loop.
Here is an animation of the surgeons loop.
[url "http://www.animatedknots.com/surgeonsloop/index.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com"]http://www.animatedknots.com/...ww.animatedknots.com[/url]
Once you have the loop in the leader there is a very simple knot but over looked knot. Most anglers don't even know it. Some experienced anglers have been using it for many years. Some people don't even consider it because they think it will snag things or come loose. But the people that use it a lot say poppy cock.
It is a knot used by laplanders for hundreds of years because it is quick and easy to tie in the cold. It is called the Lap Knot (or the Castwell knot on another forum) It is shown on this page along with the Sheep's bend which is almost identical. For this to work you need the loop (or a U bend) to be in the leader and then thread the end of the fly line through it to form the Lap Knot.
[url "http://www.realknots.com/...etb.htm#Xschootsteek"]http://www.realknots.com/...etb.htm#Xschootsteek[/url]
If you use just a 'U' you put in the leader but section, in place of make a loop knot, then pay close attention to the direction you wrap the leader around and through the leader relative to the tag end of the 'U'.
If you are not changing leaders a lot then this should be a quick and dirty method that will work well for you.
Since the fly line and the butt end of the leader are a lot stronger than the fine tippets you use you will not be having any break offs at the fly line - leader connection. If you are catching tuna and marlin then you may want to use a different set of knots.
With the loop knots you can adjust the size of the loop by shoving the material backwards through the knot, BEFORE you tighten the knot down. Some knots it is easy to do some it is hard to do.
With all knots you want to moisten the knot just before you do the finally tightening. Most people use their own spit others dunk it in the water.
For a loop on the Fly line I sometimes use these (or another Cortlands same product)
[url "http://www.jsflyfishing.com/cgi-bin/item/LL-215110-0000/1000/RIO-Products-Braided-Loops.html"]http://www.jsflyfishing.com/...s-Braided-Loops.html[/url]
But by the end of the season they need to be replaced.
(generally speaking; the smaller the knot and the smoother the knot transitions are the easier it will travel through the line guides. Applying Loons UV knot sense to the knot can smooth transitions)
[signature]