Which Knot and When


Without the proper knot on the Sava-Crab,
this nice Redfish would not be posing for us.

The Right Knots to Attach Your Fly to Your Leader

The way you tie your fly to your leader can make a difference in catching fish
and just near misses. It is very important to have the right knot for the fly you are using,
so that it acts correctly in the water. We all go through the process of selecting that perfect
fly for the situation we face. You find the fish, have the perfect fly, make the perfect cast,
the fish sees the fly, HERE HE COMES! STRIP, STRIP.....HE'S COMING!.....HE'S not coming........
he is going the other way. You went through all that trouble, and you will probably blame the fly
for the fish not eating, when it was really your knot, that was making the fly move funny.
Fish are less likely to eat a fly that is swimming or sinking funny.
So next time you are on the water, DON'T BLOW IT! here are some tips on having the right
knot for the fly that you are using.

Most flies will best when tie on with a loop knot. I use a Uni Knot loop knot for most
instances and the Homer Rhode loop knot is good also. I have found that some flies
do not work correct when tie on with a loop knot though, mostly crab and shrimp flies.
These flies should be tie on with a cinch knot of some sort. Good cinch knots include
the Uni Knot, Trilene Knot, and the Improved Clinch knot.  Diagrams of these knots
can be found on my Saltwater Flyfishing Knots Page.

So next time you are out on the water take the time to look at how your fly acts when
sinking, and when retrieved, to see which knot works best on that fly......and please
stop blaming my flies, OK? he he.

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