Old knots

[gingerdun]

I'm overdue for posting the stupid question of the week, so here goes:

This is the lid of an old fly box I inherited. I'm curious whether anybody still uses either of these two methods in column three for tying the hook to the leader?

Lance

[overmywaders]

I use the Turle knot, at the top of column three for most up-eye and down-eye flies. It is fast, easy, and doesn't allow the fly to pivot out of line.
I also use the Figure-Eight Knot (it also has an older name, which I can't recall) for straight-eye hooks and large flies. All the tying of this know is done in front of the hook and then the loop is pushed back before tightening.

[Smuggler]

I use the blood knot every outing pretty much, great knot. I've never seen a figure 8 knot used like that as a little dropper though, that's awesome.. might have to try that. But yea, blood knots and Davy Wotton's knot are the two I use. I've heard the wotton knot is weak but, I've caught some pretty big fish on it and got out of pretty hellacious snags as well, I'll stick with it.

[Roadkill]

I often use a double Turle knot or a figure 8 loop knot on my TUE Salmon hooks.

[overmywaders]

The Davy knot is much the same as the Cleave, or Figure Eight, knot. In fact, many fishermen do a rotation of the fly before the final insertion of the tag end. This is a more secure knot, but it is now the Cleave Knot.



Regards,
Reed

[Smuggler]

Interesting. I'll have to try that one.

[JohnP]

I use an improved clinch knot to attach my fly and have gone to using a loop system to attach tippet, as I have a heck of a time tying a blood knot anymore. Carpal tunnel has taken most of the feeling in the ends of my fingers, which makes it hard to tie complex knots.

[Hans Weilenmann]

Lance,

For the past fifteen or so years i have settled on a very reliable, strong and simple knot:

http://www.netknots.com/html/orvis_knot.html

Cheers,
Hans W

[overmywaders]

Hans,

Nice knot!

Johnp,

I also lost the sensitivity in my fingers; however, the greater problem is tying on the first fly of the day. My hands shake so much in eagerness to be fishing, or anticipation, or buck fever, that I can't thread the tippet through the eye of the hook. I've had this problem my whole life.

[gingerdun]

Smuggler, Reed, and Hans,

Thanks for posting your knots. I figured there would be some knot connoisseurs on this forum, and you have not disappointed.

Lance