Basic knots to get going...

[bhaase]

Okay. So I've had a guided trip, really enjoyed it, and I'm ready/excited to get out there on my own. Problem is...I'm still not too sure about the knots needed/putting together a rig. If I seldom have to change my leader, what knot do I use to connect the leader to the tippet? What knot is best for the fly to the tippet? Are there simple answers to these? Finally, in plain terms, can someone please explain to me the idea behind "building back"? I hope I got that right...

Thanks in advance -
BH

 

[Pete]

Conventional Wisdom:

• Reel to backing - Arbor Knot
  Backing to Flyline - Albright Special
  Flyline to leader - Nail Knot
  Leader to tippet - Blood Knot
  Tippet to fly - Improved Clinch Knot

For better tying instructions than I could give (and some alternatives) see Fishing Knots

I'm not sure what you mean by "building back", but the term reminded me of a method of determining the amount of backing that will fit on a reel...

Temporarily, put the flyline on the reel backwards, attach the backing, and wind it on until the reel is nearly full (allow some room for less than perfect spooling). Then unwind it all, reverse, and rewind.

 

[NJDrew]

I found this Animated knot tying thing on Orvis's site:

Orvis_Knots

It has the Nail Knot, Blood Knot, Clinch Knot and a few others.

 

[bhaase]

Thanks, guys. I really appreciate those tips and links. The animated versions are really helpful. As for the "building back" comment, I thought I heard our guide refer to something like that when explaining cutting flies off, adding/subtracting more tippet materials, etc. Who knows...I probably just misunderstood him. Anyway, thanks again.

BH

 

[Quill gordon]

Practice tying the knots at home first. It's a lot harder tying knots when the trout are jumping out of the water during a great hatch.......:dizzy:
'Building back'......... you are probably correct. You may have to replace or add to your leader/tippet section when fishing a 'dropper'.

Cheers....
Q.g.

 

[Steve M]

Knots are everything. All the gear in the world wont land you a fish if you aren't proficient at knot tying.

"Practice at home" Best advice. Practice tying the basics until they are rote. So, you can do them by feel without even looking.

Also: Learn "Surgeon's knot" (double or triple) and forget the blood knots.

 

[davethetrout]

Knots are everything. All the gear in the world wont land you a fish if you aren't proficient at knot tying.

"Practice at home" Best advice. Practice tying the basics until they are rote. So, you can do them by feel without even looking.

Also: Learn "Surgeon's knot" (double or triple) and forget the blood knots.

I use the surgeons knot to attach tippet to leader...does anybody know the rule o thumb on whether to use the double or triple on which guage tippet? I usually use a triple on all but somtimes the tags are too short and the third tuck is too hard when the trout are biting and the wind is blowing. I havnt had one brake at the knot yet....
DTT

 

[blue dun]

I cheat on the blood knot. I tie an improved cinch knot on the leader leaving the loop open then an improved cinch knot around the loop in the leader with the tippet. Pulled down together and trimmed it looks exactly like a blood knot.

I use the improved cinch knot for the fly to tippet. I think there is something better though especially for small dry flies.....any suggestions?

Also here is a link to an animated knot tying site.

Animated Knots by Grog

 

[stumpy]

I've lost more fish to the clinch knots than I care to think about. Since I learned about the trilene knot, I almost never lose a fish due to the knot. In a situation where I feel I may be catching bigger fish, I occassionally beef it up with an overhand knot on the tag end, or burn the end flat.