Volume: Saltwater flyfishing

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BACKING

FLYLINE

LEADER TIPPET FLY

3 Knots to connect the Leader to the Flyline- Leader Loop- The leader Connection

1 Knot to attach the Backing to the reel- Duncan Knot

2 Knots to join the Backing to the Flyline- Albright Knot- Nail Knot

4 Knots to tie the Tippet to the Leader- Shock Tippet- The Slim-Beauty Knot

5 Knots to tie the Fly to the Tippet- Offshore Swivel Knot- Snelling Knot

6 Other useful knots- Bimini Twist- Spider Hitch

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Knots to trust!Knots to trust!

>> Be thoroughly familiar with all the knots you tie and continually practice the tying of those knots <<

>> Always lubricate knots before tightening them, either with saliva, water or another similar lubricant. Knots tied in nylon monofilament, copolymer and cofilament lines are highly susceptible to heat friction <<

>> When tightening the knot, do so gently but firmly. Do not draw the knot quickly as this can generate heat damaging the line. Give a few test pulls on the newly tied knot <<

>> If you are not happy with a knot, always re-tie it until you are satisfied. Remember that a knot is effectively the weakest link between you and the fish and the stronger and better tied it is, the more chance you have of catching fish <<

Knots to trust! 1 Knot to attach the Backing to the reel

Use to attach backing to fly reel This is basically a single Uni-knot. This knot tightens by drag from the standing line, a good quality in a backing to reel knot.

Duncan Knot Step 1: Pass tag end of backing around spool hub two times and bring it out again between the same set of reel pillars. Hold together the two lines and form a loop with the short end.

Step 2: Make 6 turns around the two lines. End the knot by passing through the loop.

Step 3: Lubricate and tighten the knot by pulling very tightly on tag end.

Step 4: Pull on standing line until the knots tighten against reel hub. Spool backing on tightly.

6x

Knots to trust! 12 Knots to join the Backing to the Flyline

This knot is commonly used for tying backing line to fly line. Can also be used for securing a leader to the flyline, without using loop-to-loop connection.

Albright Knot The Nail knot is one of the most important knots that every fly fisherman should learn. There are a few variations in the way this knot is tied. The angler can use a tube or a needle in replacement of the nail. With a little practice, this knot can be tied very quickly. Two common areas for use is attaching the leader to the fly line and to at-tach the fly line to the backing.

Nail Knot

Step 1: Form a loop of the flyline´s tag end. Insert the leaders butt end into the loop and wrap around both lines 6 times

Step 2: End this part of the knot by ending the wrap by putting the butt-end in the loop. Lubricate and tighten by pulling both the butt-end and the flyline.

Step 3: For extra security make a uni-knot by forming a loop infront of the first knot. Then wrap around 4 times ending through the loop.

Step 4: Lubricate and tighten the knot. Cut and trim the knot. Always test-drag the knot before fishing.

Step 1Cut the butt-part of the leader on angle. Thread it on a needle. Push the needle through the flylines core, take a couple of centimeters.

Step 2Wrap the nylon around the flyline and the needle 5-6 times in tight wraps.

Step 3Thread the tag end of the leader in the needle-eye and push the needle and tag end forward and through the knot, . Tightend the knot by pulling the leader-line and the tag end

Step 4Trim and cut the tag end. For extra security use some knot-cement or aqua-seal, make it a secure and neat knot.

6x

5-6x4x

Knots to trust! 3 Knots to connect the Leader to the Flyline

Here is a solution to the problem tying small loops in heavy leaders as is sometimes required for saltwater flyfishing.Leader Loop This superb streamlined con-

nection between gelspun line and monofilament leader etc, not only retains the lighter line´s full strenght, but also passes easily though the rod guides.

The leader Connection

Step 1: Make this double loop configuration at the end of your heavy monofilament leader. Note that one loop is smaller than the other.

Step 2: Wrap the small loop with the larger loop.

Step 3: This is how to do it.

Step 4: Having made six or seven wraps, pull the tag to close what remains of the larger loop.

Step 5: Pass the remaining loop over a pen or something of the right diameter that will act as a loop gauge.

Step 6: While retaining some pressure on the leader, pull firmly on the tag till you feel the knot lock. Trim the tag.

Step 1: Having spliced an end loop in your gelspun line with a Bimini Twist or Plait, take a severed length of monofilament leader, fold one end into a loop and pass the gelspun loop through.

Step 6: When the join has been pulled up as tight as it will go, then cut off the tag.

Step 2: First wrap one leg of the gel spun loop with the doubled leader, pulling the entire length of the leader through.

Step 4: Continue until four to eight complete wraps are made.

The greater the difference in di-ameter between the two lines, the fewer the number of wraps that are required, and vice versa.

Step 5: Tension the join, first with equal pressure on both legs of the leader against gelspun line, then on the main or standing part of the leader only.

Step 3: Then wrap the other leg, and so on. 4-8x6-7x

Knots to trust! 4 Knots to tie the Tippet to the Leader

Slim Beauty is a knot used to con-nect a monofilament main line to a heavier monofilament leader.The SlimBeauty KnotThe strongest method of joining a single strand of

monofilament main line to a heavier monofilament leader. You´ll need a slim metal tube etc, to assist in the tying of this knot.

Shock Tippet

Step 1: Make a double overhand knot in the heavier leader.

Step 2: Partially close the knot so that you now have a double loop.

Step 3: Push the main line through the double loop.

Step 4: Close up the knot in the leader.

Step 5: Lay your slim metal tube alongside the leader and wrap both with the tag of the main line.

Step 6: And thread the tag down the tube.

Step 7: Remove the tube.

Step 8: Close the nail knot.

Step 1: Tie a double overhand knot in the heavy monofilament leader.

Step 2: Close the knot until it shows this figure of eight configuration.

Step 3: Make a loop in the end of the monofilament main line and thread it through the figure of eight configuration as shown.

Step 4: Wind the monofila-ment loop down the heavier leader four times, then wind it back again.

Step 5: Having made four wraps down and four wraps back, thread the remaining monofilament loop between the leader and the de-scending double strand.

Step 6: Tension the knot, first by closing the knot in the heavy mono leader, then by pulling gently, but firmly, on both strands of the monofilament main line, against the heavier monofilament leader. Trim the tags and the join is complete.

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4x

4x

Knots to trust! 5 Knots to tie the Fly to the Tippet

Makes a strong and tight knot, ideal for putting a swivel, loop etc, in the end of a leader. Extremely strong, and very easy to make.

A very strong knot to use when fishing with bait. This knot must be tied with a leader.Snelling KnotOffshore Swivel Knot

Step 1: Form a section of double line using a Bimini Twist or Spider Hitch and insert the loop through one eye of the swivel.

Step 2: Bring the end of the loop back and pinch it to the standing part of the doubled line.

Step 3: Pass the swivel through both loops.

Step 4: Continue pass-ing the swivel through both loops six or seven times.

Step 5: Grasp the swivel with pliers and begin tightening the knot by pulling on both standing parts of the doubled line with even tension. As the knot begins to tighten, push the wraps of the knot against the swivel with your fingers.

Step 1: Determine on which side of the hook the eye is folded, thread the eye and wind your line or trace around the opposite side and down the hook.

Step 1: Continue winding the line around the hook at least once, but - when using gelspun lines - do at least three complete wraps.

Step 3: Then wind the line tightly, back up the shank toward the eye of the hook.

Step 4: Having wrapped the hook all the way almost back to the eye, three the tag under the descending line

Step 5: Close the snell firmly and trim the tag.

6-7x

Knots to trust! 6 Other useful knots

The Bimini Twist is used to make a double line leader with shock resistance. This knot is very effective for tarpon fish-ing and other hard fighting fish caught on light tackle or fly gear.

Bimini Twist Possibly the simplest way of securing a double or end loop, the Spider Hitch is widely used in sport-fishing and can be relied up to retain about 80% of the line´s strength when tied in nylon monofilament, and about 50% when tied in gelspun.

Spider Hitch

Step 1: Measure a little more than twice the footage you’ll want for the double-line leader. Bring end back to standing line and hold together. Rotate end of loop 20 times, putting twists in it.

Step 2: Spread loop to force twists together at about 10″ below tag end. Step both feet through loop and bring it up around knees so pressure can be placed on column of twists by spreading knees apart.

Step 3: With twists forced tightly together, held standing line in one hand with tension just slightly off the vertical position. With other hand, move tag end to position at right angle to twists. Keeping tension on loop with knees, gradually ease tension of tag end so it will roll over the column of twists, beginning just below the upper twist.

Step 4: Spread legs apart slowly to maintain pressure on loop. Steer tag end into a tight spiral coil as it continues to roll over the twisted line.

Step 5: When spiral of tag end has rolled over column of twists, continue keeping knee pressure on loop and move hand which has held standing line down to grasp knot. Place fingers in crotch of line where loop joins knot to prevent slippage of the last turn. Take half-inch with tag end around nearest leg of loop and pull up tight. Step 6: With half-hitch holding knot, release knee pressure but keep loop stretched out tight. Using remaining tag end, take half-hitch around both legs of loop but do not pull tight.

Step 7: Make two more turns with the tag end around both legs of the loop, winding inside the end of line formed by the loose half-hitch and toward the main knot. Pull tag end slowly, forcing the three looops to gather in a spiral.

Step 1: Measur the lenght of double or end loop you intend to tie, then form another loop to secure the Spider Hitch. Hold that loop between thumb and finger as shown.

Step 2: Begin by wrapping the loop, and your thumb, with the double. Do this five times.

Step 3: Next, pull the whole of the double through the second loop you made in step 1.

Step 4: Having fed the entire double through the loop, keep pulling gently so that the hitch comes off your thumb, wrap by wrap, in reverse order.

Step 5: This is what the hitch should look like as it comes off your thumb.

Step 6: When tied correctly, the finished Spider Hitch should look something like this.

Step 8: When loops are pulled up neatly against main knot, tighten to lock knot in place. Trim tag end about 1/4″ from knot.

5x

The X-Designation ChartX is a factor that designates leader tippet diameter. It was used during the era when all leader was made from silk worm gut. X equals eleven. If you subtract the X factor from eleven you will arrive at the diameter of the leader in one-thousandths of an inch. Ex, Tippet Size 8X = 0,003 inch (11 - 8 = 3).

Tippet Size (mm)

Tippet Diameter (inch)

Breaking Strength in Super Strong Nylon in pounds

Balances with fly sizes

8 X (0, 08 mm) 0,003 1, 75 (0,8 kg) 22, 24, 26, 28

7 X (0, 10 mm) 0,004 2, 5 (1,13 kg) 18, 20, 22, 24

6 X (0, 13 mm) 0,005 3, 5 (1,6 kg) 16, 18, 20, 22

5 X (0, 15 mm) 0,006 4, 75 (2,15 kg) 14, 16, 18

4 X (0, 18 mm) 0,007 6, 0 (2,7 kg) 12, 14, 16

3 X (0, 20 mm) 0,008 8, 5 (3,85 kg) 6, 8, 10

2 X (0, 23 mm) 0,009 11, 5 (5,2 kg) 4, 6, 8

1 X (0, 26 mm) 0,010 13, 5 (6,12 kg) 2, 4, 6

0 X (0, 28 mm) 0,011 15, 5 (7,0 kg) 1/0, 2, 4

0, 30 mm 0,012 17, 6 (8,0 kg) 5/0, 4/0, 3/0, 2/0

0, 35 mm 0,014 23, 1 (10,5 kg) 5/0, 4/0, 3/0, 2/0

0,40 mm 0,016 30, 8 (14,0 kg) 5/0, 4/0, 3/0, 2/0

0,45 mm 0,018 38, 6 (17,5 kg) 5/0, 4/0, 3/0, 2/0

0,50 mm 0,020 46,3 (21,0 kg) 5/0, 4/0, 3/0, 2/0

0,60 mm 0,024 57,3 (26,0 kg) 5/0, 4/0, 3/0, 2/0

Volume: Salwater flyfishingProduced by Flugfiske-Media in cooperation with Loop Tackle Design AB © 2009.