knots

3415 Views 16 Replies 11 Participants Last post by RouseD, Sep 19, 2014

RouseD

Discussion Starter · Aug 19, 2014

I've been tying loop knots on all my flies. Are there some flies that seasoned fly fishers do not do this with? I mostly use Crappie Candy flies, and a foam fly I just call a bream bug. I rarely use a fly with a hook size of less than a size 10 unless it is the rare times I am fly fishing for stream trout. I mostly fish the coastal plain area.
I just watched a video on tying a Davy knot. It looks very easy to tie, especially with someone who has arthritis, and stiff hands, but it isn't a loop knot.

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Rod Wielder

· #2 · Aug 19, 2014

I just tried it with a thin rope and an eye-bolt.
Incredibly simple and looks/feels strong. The animated site says 90% strength is a safe estimate.
Sometimes I'm in a hurry - and this one is quick to tie.
Thanks for pointing it out.

Plus Fishin',
RW

Reactions: 1

Stump1187

· #3 · Aug 19, 2014

Davy is good, so is loop. To be honest, I still used improved clinch for a lot of flies especially clousers and deceivers as they tend to ride sideways if I tie them with a loop.

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EvBlue

· #4 · Aug 20, 2014

I use the Pitzen for everything, probably should learn a good loop knot.

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Chiefly Fly'n

· #5 · Aug 20, 2014

We were also surprised to see that the Davy knot, which is fast to tie and therefore popular in competitive fly-fishing circles, actually tested weaker than a wind knot.

Read more: http://www.flyfisherman.com/gear-ac...cessories/2012-tippet-shootout/#ixzz3AvdGsdFw

I haven't used the Davy Knot but several folks I know like it. The quoted article, however, states that it's not a strong knot.

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tkbone

· #6 · Aug 22, 2014

When streamer fishing I often use a black dual locking snap rather than a loop knot. Creates the same free-swinging effect as a loop knot and much easier to change out flies. If the fish can see it, I'm convinced they pretty much don't care if it's more visible than the mono or fluoro it's tied to.

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crabman00

· #7 · Aug 22, 2014

I normally only us a loop on weighted streamers such as coneheads and clousers. I like the Duncan as it allows for adjustment of loop size when finished.

I use the Davy (basically a figure 8 knot) on real small flies (<size 18) with light tippets like 7X as the knot offers a much smaller profile than some of the alternatives.

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RouseD

Discussion Starter · #8 · Aug 23, 2014

Awesome info here guys. I'll have to look up the Duncan knot. Can't remember the name of the knot I tie, but I have had probs with the size of the loop I want.

RouseD

Discussion Starter · #9 · Aug 23, 2014

Just checked on the Duncan. If I can remember how to tie it, it is much easier for me to tie, compared to the loop knot I'm tying now.

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Mic

· #10 · Aug 23, 2014

Here's a video for the Davy knot. It shows the use of hackle pliers for a faster easier tie for those with multiple thumbs on each hand or stiff fingers.

http://youtu.be/-NTVZAZ0xQA

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RouseD

Discussion Starter · #11 · Aug 23, 2014

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8wEM8iWPzo This should be the one for the Duncan.

johnmauser

· #12 · Aug 28, 2014

I use a non slip loop knot on EVERYTHING.

Reactions: 1

Fish_Fiend

· #13 · Aug 28, 2014

RouseD said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8wEM8iWPzo This should be the one for the Duncan.

Looks an awful lot like a uni-knot.

Gene - Red》X《 - Asheboro

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RouseD

Discussion Starter · #14 · Aug 28, 2014

That is what I was thinking Gene. Not sure which came 1st, the Duncan, or the uni.

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ChltBnks

· #15 · Aug 28, 2014

Mic said:
Here's a video for the Davy knot. It shows the use of hackle pliers for a faster easier tie.

Like RouseD mentioned in his original post I unfortunately am also close friends with "ART". My hands are the first to go and last to come back. Holding the tag end is my achilles heal so using hackle pliers is a great idea. Mine are pregnant so I will need to get a pair like on the video.

Thanks Mic.

Reactions: 1

Chiefly Fly'n

· #16 · Sep 19, 2014

Here's a link to an article on knots that may give us some more insight into the whole question about what's a good knot and what's not.... This will give you more to think about and perhaps change your thinking on knots.

http://midcurrent.com/knots/the-last-link/

Reactions: 2

RouseD

Discussion Starter · #17 · Sep 19, 2014

Thanks Richard. I picked up on a lot of things in this article that will help me greatly.

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