Friday, March 9, 2012

Cinching The Knot For Success!

Let's start with the answer to the question last week...Why did I lose my Buffalo Midges to a hungry trout EACH time I had a strike?  I would bring in the fish, and it would break off right before I put out the net.    After much investigation, it has been declared: 

No spit on my Improved Clinch Knot!

       Improved Clinch Knot 
Used to attach tippet to fly
  • Pass the line through the eye of the hook.
  • Make five turns around the line.
  • Pass the end of the line through the first loop, above the eye, and then through the large  loop. Draw the knot into shape.
  • Wet the knot to reduce friction, spit works well. 
  • "Wet the knot to reduce friction, spit works well".  AHHHHHHHH!!!!!  Ok...I was in a hurry and only had one hour left to fish.  Absolutely forgot to spit on the tippet and secure the knot into place each time I replaced the fly!  
  • Slide the coils down tight against the eye.
    • Pass  of the hook. ive turnsthe line. e ef
      Finally, Fish Tuesday came and we landed the three that we lost last week.  Hooray!
         I will never forget again...
          
        And I will definitely remember that the wind can play tricks with my photo taking!
        Happy Weekend All !!!    I've gone fishin' for a few days!

    13 comments:

    1. The biggest mistake that people make with that knot, is not cinching it enough before snipping the tag end. Then, as soon as they get a bite and set the hook, the knot tightens up. When there isn't enough tag end left, the knot fails and fish are lost. - It took me a while to figure that one out!

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      1. Nick - I know exactly what you see talking about! I remember the first instructor telling us to leave enough to be pulled. If you don't ...you might end up on the short end of the stick without a fish!

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    2. the spit/water is a key step. I read an article in a wisconsin magazine ( cant' remember the exact source and a quick google search is not helping either), but I want to say, not using some type of lubricant, ie spit, can reduce the strength of your knot by 20%. They tried to be pretty scientific about the process of figuring this out, but since I can't site the source, take it wihta grain of salt.

      Good luck fishing!

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    3. David- Thanks for that info...very important stuff that I knew but, in the heat of the moment and out of time, I skipped wetting it in place. Dahdada...

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    4. Always satisfying to figure some problem out and have success afterward. Now about that wind...let's fix that. Lemme know when you have the solution there.

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    5. RD, what you want is this knot...Double loop clinch knot (Trilene knot)

      Scroll down a bit when you get there. Much better knot. Spit optional.

      http://www.salmonuniversity.com/ol_knots.html

      Increases knot strength by 5 to 10 percent.

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    6. Will -ummm...early morning before it hits?

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    7. Ken G -. I see it was worth posting my mistake...thanks! I will check that other knot out.

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    8. I can't imagine The River Damsel spitting.

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    9. Howard - You and me both! Tell you what...I'll do it when no one is looking! Lol.

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    10. RD
      Those are some nice looking bows. What was the pattern that fooled those beauties? The clinch knot has to be the best of all knots; it is the one knot I used consistently all the time. Thanks for sharing

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    11. Don't actually try to "spit" on it. Just put the knot area in your mouth before you tighten it up. I actually only wet it 1/2 the time. Alot of times when I spit on this knot it doesn't want to pull down all the way - it kinda stops short with a little loop in it. But whatever makes it work for you - there's a good chance I'm doing it wrong. :) But I think we need a video of you spitting on something. You like Skoal at all? ;) J/k ya

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    12. Bill ~ These browns were caught on a buffalo midge trailed with a black zebra midge. I have also been throwing a lot of peacock soft hackles and doing rather well. The hatches are back at it again...whoohoo!

      Owl ~ No, I never spit anything...just moisten the line with my lips. Yeah...more like you do. And no video, please! haha Tomorrow should be a a very interesting day! Stay tuned!

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