04-26-2009, 04:46 PM
When I have to, I use a nail knot from line to leader (with UV epoxy around the knot). In the past, I have always cut the loop on the line and leader to use the nail knot, but recently, I have fallen in love with the loop-to-loop connection. I have far fewer problems with catching in knot with my flies in the wind and I think that the epoxy was weighing down the tip of my line anyhow.
From leader to tippet, double surgeon's.
From tippet to fly, improved clinch.
From fly to dropper (or nymph to nymph), again I have changed this recently as well. I used to tie directly to the bend of the hook. I started with a new method after a recent visit to the San Juan below Navajo Dam. "Peggy", a popular guide there talked me into tying both tippets into the the eye of the lead fly using an improved clinch. Basically, just doubling up the tippets when tying on the first fly. It leaves the hook of the lead fly clear and removes any chance of the line from the dropper interfering with a hookup if the fish takes the lead fly. The knot is very strong, although it does increase the physical size of the knot on the first fly. I haven't found that to be a problem in the least. Fitting a 5x or 6x tippet (doubled up) does take a clean "clip" to get through the eye of #22 AND #24 hooks though.
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From leader to tippet, double surgeon's.
From tippet to fly, improved clinch.
From fly to dropper (or nymph to nymph), again I have changed this recently as well. I used to tie directly to the bend of the hook. I started with a new method after a recent visit to the San Juan below Navajo Dam. "Peggy", a popular guide there talked me into tying both tippets into the the eye of the lead fly using an improved clinch. Basically, just doubling up the tippets when tying on the first fly. It leaves the hook of the lead fly clear and removes any chance of the line from the dropper interfering with a hookup if the fish takes the lead fly. The knot is very strong, although it does increase the physical size of the knot on the first fly. I haven't found that to be a problem in the least. Fitting a 5x or 6x tippet (doubled up) does take a clean "clip" to get through the eye of #22 AND #24 hooks though.
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