[Fly2Fish]

While I'm not surprised by the prevalence of the Clinch Knot, I am amazed how many more votes the Improved Clinch Knot has over the basic Clinch Knot. I've heard/read from time to time that the Improved Clinch is actually weaker than the Clinch knot. Anyone have any thoughts on that?

[Jackster]

I wish the Pitzen knot was on the poll.
I picked improved clinch and probably should have picked 'other'.

In case you haven't tried the Pitzen, it's strong, small, easy to tie and telegraphs with a click when it's tied right.

[Fly2Fish]

Originally Posted by Jackster

I wish the Pitzen knot was on the poll.
I picked improved clinch and probably should have picked 'other'.
In case you haven't tried the Pitzen, it's strong, small, easy to tie and telegraphs with a click when it's tied right.

Jackster, that's an interesting knot. I hadn't heard of it before you brought it up, so I just Googled it [link to one of the easier demonstrations: http://www.marinews.com/Pitzen-Knot-347.php]. Some say it's akin to the Duncan, but I'm not familiar with either well enough to know. I noticed one reference discouraged its use with so-called "superlines". If that includes fluoro tippit, I'd be interested in your or others' experience with how well the Pitzen Knot holds in fluoro (same question for the Davy Knot, discussed below).

BTW, the Poll is "Multiple Choice", so multiple selections can be made (however, I suspect that they all have to be selected initially, at one time).

[shorthaul]

clinch for trout around structure so if i sacrifice a fly to the tree gods---ill only lose the fly and not the tippet---i use a modified uni knot at a loop in the leader at the other end of the tippet--(clinch always breaks easier)

for steelhead and saltwater i use a non-slip mono loop knot for a better action on the fly

[Frank Whiton]

Hi to all,

Several people have mentioned the no-slip mono knot. It is a great knot and one of the few with 100% knot strength. It is easy to tye but it does use a bit of tippet. With light tippets you should use 7 wraps and with heavier tippets you should use 5 wraps. One very important point with all knots is make sure you go back through the loop the same way you came in. You can see in picture 3 what I am talking about. You can see that the tag end is laying on top of the loop in both directions. More of us should be using this knot.

Frank

[tbrillinger223]

I use a loop knot that was actualy designed for rapala lures it works rather well and is simple to tie.

make a loop, pass the tag end through it 3 times, insert tag end it to hook eye, wrap tag end 3 more times through loop, moisten then tighten.

that easy.

[plland]

1 more vote for "other." I used to do the Palomar because it's strong and easy (for me) to tie. However, the Palomar uses up a lot of tippet, even when I made a conscious effort to tie it with a small tag end. Now I use the Pitzen, which seems just as strong and easy to tie, but doesn't eat tippet length as quickly.

[Flityer]

I use the improved clinch as that is what I was taught as a kid oops!! did I say kid still am one just a little older. Palomar works great as well easy to tie and a strong knot as well.

[MTskibum]

Originally Posted by tbrillinger223

I use a loop knot that was actualy designed for rapala lures it works rather well and is simple to tie.

make a loop, pass the tag end through it 3 times, insert tag end it to hook eye, wrap tag end 3 more times through loop, moisten then tighten.

that easy.

I used to use that knot, but switched. I use Cinch on anything smaller than 10-12 or so, and improved cinch on anything larger. When i fish Rapala's for walleye's i still use rapala's knot.

[Joni]

Originally Posted by Frank Whiton

Hi to all,

Several people have mentioned the no-slip mono knot. It is a great knot and one of the few with 100% knot strength. It is easy to tye but it does use a bit of tippet. With light tippets you should use 7 wraps and with heavier tippets you should use 5 wraps. One very important point with all knots is make sure you go back through the loop the same way you came in. You can see in picture 3 what I am talking about. You can see that the tag end is laying on top of the loop in both directions. More of us should be using this knot.

Frank

I agree. Loops are the way to go, cause like I said, you can use heavier tippet on smaller flies and still get movement.
But, one thing I am going to say on a loop is keep it as small as you can. I do think if the loop is too big it creates an unnatural wake before the fly.