new to fly fishing

[gurthgul]

I recently bought my first fly rod. wanted to try something a bit different. my question is. is there a trick to getting the eyelets into the ends of your line. I've tried and keep poking the point out the side of the line. can someone please help
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[Dryrod]

[cool][font "Poor Richard"][green][size 3]Hi there gurthgul and welcome to the FF&T board. Glad to hear that are giving this old sport a try. I'm not quite sure what you are making reference to. If you mean that you are having trouble threading your line through the eyelets then I would suggest folding over about 6" of your tippet and thread your line that way. Makes much easier to see what you are doing. I'm sure someone will be by very shortly in case I didn't read your question correctly. Don't be a stranger so hurry back now you hear.[/size][/green][/font]
[font "Poor Richard"][green][size 3][/size][/green][/font]
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[gurthgul]

the problem \I am having is getting the eyelets into the line
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[flygoddess]

[black][size 3]Sorry, I am , your line goes through the guides (eyelets) not the other way around. And as Dry Rod said, fold the line/leader over and thread it through the guides. That way if you drop it, it won't all side back out.[/size][/black]
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[Saberfish]

Welcome to the board.

I think that you are describing a small metal gimmick that connects the fly line to the leader. It has an eyelet and a small needle point which is to go into your fly line.

If I'm right, I would suggest that you give that item a toss, and read and follow the instructions Joni provided with her picture under a thread entitled "Questions, questions".

If all of the above is not clear, give me a PM, or comment on the board.

good luck
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[Thudpucker]

[cool]Welcome to Fun, Frustration and pure pleasure!

When I first started fly fishing the guy sold me some of those little Eylets that you slip up inside the end of the Fly line.
You'll forget you have em' soon. Just dont look in the Mirror for a few days, you wont be embarrassed so much that way.

There's two ways to fix the Butt section of your leader to your Fly line.
Some favor using a loop in the fly line and a loop in the butt section and looping them together. Seconds and it's done.

I liked to tie the Nail knot ([url "http://www.animatedknots.com/splice/"]http://www.animatedknots.com/splice/[/url])
which I'd still do if I had those good eyes again.

I like it smooth and streamlined.

What did you wind up with?
What Rod?
What Line?
What Reel?
and most interesting of all, what are you going to fish for and where?
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[tubeN2]

Welcome gurthgul, are you referring to the "No Knots"? Those things are a pain in the but and are only intended for the cheaper fly lines. If inserted incorrectly, they can make alot of damage to the fly line and cost you a good fish.

There is no substitue for a good quality knot. Just follow the guidlines here on the site and we will all help you get started and anjoying the art of Fly Fishing.
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[Scruffy_Fly]

I like the loop to loop connections like what Fly Goddess talked about. It is what I have on all my fly lines and leaders now. But it is not necessary. Just my preference.

However, there are a lots of ways to make the leader to fly line connections. All of which have their addicted fans and many others that berate the knot.

Nail knots are one of the most common knots to use and certainly will work. However, it is not an easy knot to tie especially when the hands are cold. I have used the nail knot on various leaders. But I don't tie them that often so have to look something up to remember the best way to tie it. Click on the nail knot explanation on this page:
[url "http://www.netknots.com/html/fishing_knots.html"]http://www.netknots.com/html/fishing_knots.html[/url]

Some tapered leader manufacturers now tie a loop into the end of the leader for you. That is a good thing for beginners. If there is not a loop already in the end of leader then you can put a loop in it. by tying a perfection loop.
Here is an animation of the perfection loop.
[url "http://www.animatedknots.com/perfection/index.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com"]http://www.animatedknots.com/...ww.animatedknots.com[/url]

[url "http://www.netknots.com/html/fishing_knots.html"][/url]
Another simple knot to use in place of the perfection loop, that should work well for a beginner to tie, is the surgeons loop.

Here is an animation of the surgeons loop.
[url "http://www.animatedknots.com/surgeonsloop/index.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com"]http://www.animatedknots.com/...ww.animatedknots.com[/url]

Once you have the loop in the leader there is a very simple knot but over looked knot. Most anglers don't even know it. Some experienced anglers have been using it for many years. Some people don't even consider it because they think it will snag things or come loose. But the people that use it a lot say poppy cock.
It is a knot used by laplanders for hundreds of years because it is quick and easy to tie in the cold. It is called the Lap Knot (or the Castwell knot on another forum) It is shown on this page along with the Sheep's bend which is almost identical. For this to work you need the loop (or a U bend) to be in the leader and then thread the end of the fly line through it to form the Lap Knot.

[url "http://www.realknots.com/...etb.htm#Xschootsteek"]http://www.realknots.com/...etb.htm#Xschootsteek[/url]

If you use just a 'U' you put in the leader but section, in place of make a loop knot, then pay close attention to the direction you wrap the leader around and through the leader relative to the tag end of the 'U'.

If you are not changing leaders a lot then this should be a quick and dirty method that will work well for you.

Since the fly line and the butt end of the leader are a lot stronger than the fine tippets you use you will not be having any break offs at the fly line - leader connection. If you are catching tuna and marlin then you may want to use a different set of knots.

With the loop knots you can adjust the size of the loop by shoving the material backwards through the knot, BEFORE you tighten the knot down. Some knots it is easy to do some it is hard to do.

With all knots you want to moisten the knot just before you do the finally tightening. Most people use their own spit others dunk it in the water.

For a loop on the Fly line I sometimes use these (or another Cortlands same product)
[url "http://www.jsflyfishing.com/cgi-bin/item/LL-215110-0000/1000/RIO-Products-Braided-Loops.html"]http://www.jsflyfishing.com/...s-Braided-Loops.html[/url]

But by the end of the season they need to be replaced.

(generally speaking; the smaller the knot and the smoother the knot transitions are the easier it will travel through the line guides. Applying Loons UV knot sense to the knot can smooth transitions)
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[gurthgul]

thank you all for all the help. I was lucky when i decided to go out and buy a fly rod. the local gander mountain had lots of last years fishing equipment on clearance. I purchased a 9' 5 weight St. Croix for the same price as the store brand in the same length and weight. The reel i purchased was just a basic from scientific angler and some Cortland 6 wf f. I mainly plain on fishing the Walbash river here in town for white bass, walleye, and small mouth all are in abundance. Any suggestions on which flies to try for any of those species would be greatly appreciated. I do fish in Michigan for salmon and Steelhead, but don't plan and trying fly fishing for them yet. I also make yearly trips to Lake Erie for walleye. I was luckily caught the fishing bug from my father and grandfather.
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[gurthgul]

left out of the reply the river I'll be fishing is in NE Indiana. about 20 mins from fort wayne
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