Leader to Fly-line knot

[ted4887]

So here I am, going through a beginners guide to fly-fishing, and watching the knot tying portion of the dvd. They are going over the leader to fly-line nail knot. I have two questions regarding this part of the knot process. Which knot do you use? And if you do in-fact use the nail knot, do you use the nail knot "tool"?

I'm struggling with this knot, as i've never had a use for it. I guess practice makes perfect though. Makes me wish i'd been a Boy Scout!

[crappiegetter]

Well on one of my fly rods I use a nail not on one and the other its a nail not that connects the fly line to a short piece of line with a loop and a loop on the leader. I like the loop to loop thing makes it fast to change out leaders to change the species I'm fishing for. A good cheap tool for the nail not I use is a straw you would get from mcdonalds just cut it down to fit in your fly case works well.

[DEADhead]

Loop to loop connection for me. If the factory end does not come with a loop, I'll make one by welding the loop myself using a lighter, clear heat shrink tube, and a great deal of caution not to burn or melt through the core of the fly line. I've caught numerous big carp and have been down to the backing many times (even almost spooled) and have yet to have the loop fail. The key is to make sure you don't heat the coating and core too much when welding to retain it's strength. Nail knots are just not reliable when pursuing big fish as the leader can cut through the coating of the fly line and strip off down to the core, even if glued. If at all possible buy the factory form welded loops.

If you are just fishing fishing for trout, pannies, or bass, then no worries, use a nail knot. The straw tip is a great technique btw.

[crappiegetter]

dead what do you use for flies for carp I tried for them last year with no success on some flies I was trying? I fish for bass mainly and heard carp are really fun. also what wieght rod would you recommend for carp I have a 5 and 8wt?

[panfishpounder00]

all you need!

roughfisher.com

as far as rod wieght, i would go with an 8wt. youll need the backbone for carp! exspecially in any current!

[crappiegetter]

Thanks for the info panfishpounder, I tried all last year and tried to be as patient as I could with no success. I would still love to get one on. Mostly all I catch are smallies on the Miss. and trout at a local trout lake.

[so haaad]

I also use a loop to loop connection. A loop to loop connection allows you to change leaders quickly and on-the-fly, pun intended.

[Bob/Mn]

I have had good luck with the albright knot in the past.

http://www.animatedknots.com/albright/in...imatedknots.com

[Comit 2]

If the line has a loop I use a loop to loop if not, I use a nail knot. I have a nail knot tool on my nippers. I use it to tie leaders onto my fireline also.

For Carp get some of DeadDeads flys (Rust and Olive) and work below some dams this spring.

[ted4887]

I ended up buying the nail knot tool. Will probably tie some practice knots with it tomorrow evening. Thanks guys!

[Lakeside_Nelson]

If I'm not using a loop connection I use a back to back uni knot.

[Ic3wind]

I use a "nailess" nail knot that has always worked very well for me.

here is a pretty good video on how to do it. I've tried those tools in the past and they didnt work for me that well. it always seemed like I needed a 3rd hand or something

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-9138640369781547141#

[itchmesir]

I use Loop to Loop.. by far the best thing in the world i tell ya.. gets rid of the frustration of a nail knot.. and it takes like 5 seconds to change leaders/line

[ted4887]

I don't have a DT line though. I might make a homeade loop connection though. I've heard that is fairly easy to do.

[OnAFly]

It is very easy. Loop to loop all the way.

[panfishpounder00]

the loop-to loop connection is the way to go for sure! this allows you to change leaders accordingly to changing conditions and such. i see one comment was on making your own loop on the end of the fly line using heat shrink tubing,cortland makes a slick loop "sleeve" that attaches to you fly line and is supplied with heat shrink tubing, i use my bobin and thread and make my own loop and coat with hard as nails polish or epoxy, i just dont trust using a heat source near my fly line as extreme or "more than normal" heat can cause lines to go bad or create a weak spot, i just wont take the chance. i also carry my nail knot tool, really easy to use! i'll try and get some pics posted of the tying process on it if you are still set on actually tying a nail knot.

[ted4887]

I have been using the nail knot, and I'm good at tying it now. Doesn't take me long at all.

I looked at those loop tubes, and thought the same thing about the heat causing a weak spot. The last writeup I read said the same thing about using some hardening polish and a bobbin. I might give that a try sometime.

[OnAFly]

I had one of those sleeves fail on me. I don't use them anymore.

I actually found a crack at the base of the welded loop in one of my lines the other day, so I'll be making my own loop with thread and adhesive. I've heard they are really strong if you do it right.

[itchmesir]

i made a loop with the same idea as the bobbin.. but instead i used braided line... and no bobbin.. just wrapped the line around a couple times.. and slipped the line back through under the loop of braided line.. kinda similar to a nail knot.. has not failed me yet and doesn't look like its going to anytime soon

[OnAFly]

I'm doing this on a 10wt line, so I'll be using kevlar thread and lots of adhesive.

[Nate McVey]

I like the nail knot myself. I use a small butt section tied to the flyline (with a nail knot) and then another nail knot from the butt section to the leader. I don't like the way my fly presents using the loop to loop connection, IMO.