Page 24 Loop to loop connection The preferred & probably the best method of attaching a leader to the built-in loop on a fly line, avoiding wear and tear on the vinyl coated fly line loop. A loop to loop connection is also Basic useful for attaching tippet sections to any ta- Compiled by the guys in Cabela’s pered or furled leader. perfection loops are richfield wisconsin fly shop generally the best type of loop to use, though surgeon’s loops may be used as well.

Step 2

Step 1

Basic Advice on Tying Knots

Step 3 It is important not only to select the right knot for a particular job but also to tie it properly. Poorly Tied knots will mean lost fish and aggravation. Here are a few basic steps to follow when tying all knots for fly fishing. pass one loop through the other to make the connec- tion. The same procedure applies for loop-to-loop Lubricate knots: Before you tighten a knot, lubricate it leader-tippet connections. The loops should slide with saliva or by dipping it in the water. This will help over each other smoothly & the finished connection the knot slide and seat properly. Lubrication also de- should resemble a square knot, which will not hinge & creases excessive heat, which dramatically weakens makes a smooth transition between fly line & leader or monofilament. The friction created when knots are leader & tippet. drawn up tight generates heat.

Seat the knot: Tighten knots with a steady, continuous pull. Make sure the knot is tight and secure. After it is tied, pull on the line and leader to make sure it holds. It is better to test it now than when a fish is on.

Trim neatly: Use nippers to trim the material as close as possible without nicking or damaging the knot.

Page 1 Page 2 Page 23 (continued) to connect Backing to Fly Reel Step 3

Step 1

wrap the line around reel arbor twice. Make 2 loops Grab the head of your loop and around the arbor. Tie an around the line pull it downward completely itself. over your terminal tackle.

Step 2 Then just tie a second overhand knot in the tag Step 4 end. This second knot keeps line from slipping through the first.

Step 3

Pull everything tight. Clip tags. Then slide the first overhand knot down the line to snug it around the reel Tighten the knot by pulling the tag end and the line go- arbor. ing to your rod at the same time. Clip the tag end ac- cordingly. note: It is important to take two turns around spool hub and to wind backing on tightly; not doing so can cause the entire mass of backing to rotate freely on the spool. Page 22 Page 3 Palomar Knot The Palomar Knot is very strong (can be over 90% but typically retains 75% - 85% of The Nail Knot is an old favorite to connect large di- the line strength) a good choice for fisher- ameter line to a smaller diameter line. It is commonly used in fly-fishing to connect a shock tippet to a men seeking larger fish on light lines. It is leader or fly line to backing. It is a very effective and very simple and preferred by many night compact knot that will easily travel through the fisherman that cannot necessarily "see" guides on your rod. A nail, hollow tube or other what they are doing, and "feel" as they tie straight, rigid tool with a smooth surface must be used to effectively tie this knot. Although using a nail the knot. It is the best knot to use for or other tool will suffice, you will find using a hol- braided lines. low tube is the easiest way to tie this knot. Step 1 Step 1

Double six- inches of line and run your loop through the eye of your terminal Lay the nail or tube parallel with the end of the fly tackle. line. Place the leader material next to the fly line and leave an extra 10 to 12 inches of material beyond the nail or tube. Step 2 Step 2 Grasp all three materials with the left thumb and forefinger on the left edge of the nail or tube. With your right hand, grasp Step 3 the end of the leader material & working left to right around all three materials, make six to eight close wraps. Step 4 Allowing the terminal tackle to hang, tie a loose over- hand "" with your doubled line, making sure Slide out the tube or nail and not to tighten. carefully snug the coils. Grasp both ends of the leader & pull simultaneously until knot is tightly seated on the fly line. Trim tag end of leader close to the knot. Page 4 Page 21 Surgeon's Knot The most recognized and easiest knot for The Surgeon's Knot has proven to be one of the quick- connecting monofilament under 20-pound est and most effective ways to join a leader to line test to your terminal tackle. This knot is with unequal diameters. It is most commonly used by anglers who enjoy the not recommended with heavy or braided line. thrill of using light tackle for larger species, but It will work on monofilament over 20- need additional strength using heavy leader or heavy pound test, but we suggest the Buffer Loop leader butt to a tapered leader Knot. The Palomar Knot also works great for braided line. Step 1 Step 1

Place the line and leader parallel to each other with an overlap of six inches and moisten this area. Step 2 Create a loop with the two lines as if you are working with one line. Take the tag end and pass it through the eye of your terminal tackle, allowing at least 3 inches of tag be- yond the eye. Wrap the tag end five to seven times around the line going to your rod. Pinch the coils Step 2 with the thumb & forefinger. Of Step 3 your other hand, run the tag end Grasp the junction where the through the first end of your line going to loop above the your rod and the leader mate- eye, then over rial meet. Pass this and the the coils & ENTIRE LEADER through the through the loop you created twice. large loop you Step 3 just made. Step 4

Grasp all four ends surrounding the knot and pull slowly at Moisten the knot area. Grab the tag end and the same time. the line going to your rod and pull simulta- neously, forcing the coils to form a tight Once the knot is spiral. Once tight, slide the tightened coils tightened, trim the tag against the eye of the terminal tackle with ends. your fingernail and assure the coils are in a uniform spiral, not overlapping each other. Clip the tag end. Page 20 Page 5 Use this knot to join sections of leader or line An easy, quick and reliable choice for tying together. The blood knot works best with lines monofilament or braided line onto hooks, lures of approximately equal diameter. It is useful for or swivels. This is an extremely versatile knot as building tapered leaders if the leader segments it can also be used for fly line to leader con- taper progressively. nections. It can give 90% - 100% knot strength under ideal conditions. Step 1 Take the end Step 1 of your line and pass it through the eye of your Overlap the two lines allowing an area of about six- terminal inches to work with. tackle, allow about 6 inches Step 2 of line after the eye.

Double your line about three inches to make two parallel lines, then form a loop below the doubled lines. Take one line and wrap it around the other line 5 times. Step 2 Grasp the tag end of the line you just twisted and feed it down in-between the two lines, in front of the first Take the tag twist you made. end of the line and pass Step 3 it over the Repeat with other two pieces of end, twisting in the line and back through the opposite direction and directing the tag loop six to end upward into the eight times. Snug up turns middle loop that by carefully has been created. pulling the tag end. Step 4 Slowly pull the lines simultane- ously in oppo- This knot can be used two ways, depending on the site directions presentation you want and the terminal tackle you are until the knot is using. It can be cinched up tight to the eye or left tight. above the eye to allow the terminal tackle to move freely. When a strike occurs, the knot will tighten Step 5 down from the pressure. Either way, be sure the knot is solid and don't forget to trim the tag end. Once knot is seated, clip the tag ends closely. Page 6 Duncan Loop (continued) Page 19 Double uni knot A simple and effective alternative to the Step 4 Blood Knot, the Double Uni is an easy way to connect two lines of approximately the same diameter. It is often used to con- struct tapered leaders or to attach a tippet to a factory tapered leader. It can be used for monofilament and braided lines.

Step 1 Overlap the two lines with an area of Close the knot just enough to adjust the loop size. about six This can be accomplished by pinching the knot together inches. Form a and gently pulling on the tag end to close the loop. loop with the tag end of one line. Step 5 Step 2 Make three turns with the tag end over the two lines and back through the loop you created. Close the knot by pulling the running line against the loop. Step 3

Snug up by pulling the tag end. You have just completed the first Uni Knot. Page 18 Double uni knot (continued) Page 7 Duncan Loop Step 4

The Duncan Loop is sometimes called the Uni- Knot, (Mistakenly) as the Uniknot and correct Duncan Loop are different. Use the Duncan loop to attach your fly to your tippet. Leave the loop open to allow the fly to swing freely, or close Repeat steps 1, 2 and 3 with the opposite line you used the loop tight against the hook eye for a tight for the first Uni Knot. hold. Step 5 Step 1 Thread about 6” of tippet through the hook eye & make a circle or loop in the tippet.

Wet line on and between the two knots and tighten by pulling the lines on each side of the knot in opposite directions simultaneously. Step 2 Thread the tag end back through the loop you have made & wrap around both parts of Step 6 the tippet.

Pull tight and trim the tag ends close to the coil.

Step 3

Make 4 or 5 wraps through the loop & around the tippet. Use 4 wraps for heavy line (40-50lb) 5 wraps for light tippet Page 8 Page 17

Perfection Loop Dropper Loop Knot (continued)

The Perfection Loop forms a very small and Step 4 compact loop at the end of your line. It is commonly used for attaching leaders to snaps or for loop to loop connections of line and leaders.

Step 1 Form a loop at the end of the line, allowing about 4 inches of tag. With the remaining tag, Push the bottom of your original loop up through the create another loop to new opening created by the "U"- shaped line and hold the side by wrapping the tag once around the loop in place with your teeth. line going to the rod.

Step 5

Pull the ends simultaneously until coils tighten up. At Step 2 this point, your loop should stand up from your line.

Holding the two loops in place, direct the tag end around the line, crossing over the top of the second loop you created. Page 16 Perfection Loop (continued) Page 9

Dropper Loop Knot Step 3 Now gently pull loop #2 through This loop is ideal for placing hooks, sink- loop #1. ers or other tackle in different locations Hold on to the tag throughout your line. Catfish anglers and end of the line and others who use live bait off the bottom gently snug up the commonly use this loop to present multiple knot tight just tight enough to baits with one line. keep it from unrav- eling.

Step 1 At this point you can place a tool of some sort, like a nail knot tool or a ballpoint pen, to size the loop.

Create a simple loop in the line.

Pull some slack from Step 4 one side of Step 2 the loop and Initially only pull the tag end to tighten bring it inward, this knot. creating a "U" If you place a pen or pencil inside of the shape inside loop before pulling it tight, the pencil the loop. will determine the size of the finished loop.

Pulling the tag end will size the loop, then pulling on the running line will lock Step 3 the loop in place. Place a thumb or forefinger Tighten until knot turns over, sometimes inside your you can hear it “click” into place. Once it loop. Use the is firm, trim the tag end. "U" shaped line and wrap it around the top of the loop 6 to 8 times. Wet the knot area. Page 10 Page 15

Non-Slip Mono-Loop Knot Surgeon's End Loop (continued)

This loop is extremely strong when tied cor- rectly. Useful when maximum line movement is Step 3 sought. This is a good knot for attaching streamers & steelhead or salmon flies to the leader. The fly will then swing at the end of the loop & this loop will not close up.

Step 1 Hold the end of the loop and pull slowly while also holding on to the tag end and the running line (the part going to the rod) simultaneously. Once tight, clip the tag end.

Start by making a loose overhand "granny knot" in the line prior to attaching the terminal tackle. Allow about 6 inches between the end of the line and the overhand knot. Do not tighten down.

Step 2

Take the tag end and run it through the eye of the terminal tackle and back through the middle of the overhand knot. With the tag Step 3 end make the suggested number of turns around the main line.

Pound Test Turns 6 - 8 7 8 - 12 5 15 - 40 4 50 - 60 3 60+ 2 Page 14 Non-Slip Mono-Loop Knot Page 11 (continued) Surgeon's End Loop Step 4 The Surgeon's End Loop forms a loop at the end of a line. This provides a means to quickly attach leaders and other tackle. This end loop is very easy to tie and very reliable, but it is slightly more bulky than the Perfection Loop. This knot couldn't be any simpler, it's quick and reliable. However the loop formed is always slightly off- set from the main line. No problem for bottom fishing, but for trolling with light tackle we would use either a Leader loop knot or a Per- Put the tag end back through the middle of the over- fection loop knot. For heavy leaders use alloy hand knot once more. Be sure there is at least 2 inches or copper crimping sleeve swaged with a quality of tag hanging outside of the loop. swaging tool. Step 5 Step 1 Take 12” of line and double it, making a loop that is approximately 6” long. Tie a loose overhand “granny knot” with the loop. Be sure not to completely tighten it.

Step 2 Pinch the area right next to the eye of the terminal tackle and the line above the knot. Tighten the knot by slowly pulling at the same time. Assure tightness by pulling on the tag end and the line going to your rod then clip the tag end accordingly.

Take the end of the loop and pass it through the circle of line you have created with the overhand knot. Page 12 Buffer Loop Knot Page 13 Buffer Loop Knot (continued) This loop knot is great for situations that call for monofilament over 20-pound test, heavy test shock tippets, or coated multi- Step 4 strand wire.

Step 1

At this point, you can manipulate the size of your loop Tie a loose overhand "granny knot" about six inches up by sliding the lower overhand knot up or down. When from the end of your line. Do not tighten! you have the desired loop size, slowly pull the tag end and line going to your rod simultaneously to form the knot. Step 2

Step 5

Run the tag end of your line through the eye of your termi- nal tackle then back through the center of the overhand knot you created.

Step 3 Trim the tag end.

Tie another overhand knot above the first knot you created, with the tag end around the line going to your rod.