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Knots are one of the most critical links in the battle between
yourself and a fish. Just about all of us have come up on the
loosing end at one time or another when a knot fails. Our only
reminder of the big one that got away is a curlicue pig-tail at
the end of the line. There are several reasons for knot
failure. Maybe you chose the wrong knot for the particular line
that you are using. Some knots that work in monofilament will
fail when tied in braided lines like Power Pro due to the low
stretch and slick surface of the “super braids”. Another common
problem in knot tying is not moistening the knot before
tightening. Wetting your knot will allow lubrication to clinch
the knot down without damaging the line. Fully tightening the
knot is critical in forming a fail proof knot since under
tightened knots can loosen when casting or fighting a fish.
Like many things in the sport, there are countless knots out
there and many are very effective; however, it is not vital to
learn them all to be a successful fisherman. Below is a list of
knots that I find to be useful for a variety of situations.
Uni
to Uni Splice (Double Uni) – I use this knot to join braided
line to mono or fluorocarbon leader. I prefer it to the
Albright knot in this situation because the Uni casts smoothly
through the guides. With the Albright knot, a heavy leader can
hang in the guides and ruin a cast. Another line joining knot
is the surgeon’s knot. The Surgeon’s should be avoided for this
situation because it can slip when used with braided line. I
also use the Double Uni to splice braided line back together.
If a bird’s nest of tangled line forms in the braid, I simply
cut out the tangle and join the line back using the Uni to Uni
Splice. This saves time on the water and eliminates the
unnecessary loss of expensive braid.
Perfection Loop – This a compact knot to use when creating a
loop in the butt section of your fly leader to form a loop to
loop connection with the fly line. The small size of the
Perfection Loop will go through the rod guides smoothly compared
to the Surgeons loop which is more bulky.
Non-Slip Loop – A loop connection to the fly, lure or hook can
be advantageous. The Non-Slip Loop is a great choice since it
is easy to learn and can be tied quickly on the water. When
using heavy tippet, a fly’s action can be ruined if it is tied
tightly to the hook using a clinch type knot. A loop allows the
fly to swing freely which increases action and promotes proper
tracking.
Blood Knot – The Blood Knot is a great knot for joining sections
of leader. I often use it when constructing fly leaders. When
joining two lines of different diameters (i.e. 40# to 20# mono),
I recommend doubling over the thinner line when tying the knot. |
