Tiny flies and knots

[bturek]

I had a question concerning the fishing of very tiny flies. What knots does one use? I am pretty stuck on the improved clinch knot, but it can be as big as the fly sometimes. Any suggestions?

Ben

 

[albatross]

Orvis knot is all I use. Link to Orvis Knot.

 

[Heritage-Angler]

Perfect solution - The Davy Knot.

http://www.itinerantangler.com/podcasts/video/

 

[RLeeP]

If you're getting a big knot using the Imp. clinch, you might want to think about how many turns you're putting into the knot when you tie it.

Prior to making the loop, try only going around the line maybe 4 times or so and also lube your knot well with saliva or whatever so it becomes as compact as possible.

That may take the size down some.

Or you can try another knot like one from the link albatross provided.

I've been using what we always called the Uni-Knot for about the last 25 years. I don't remember if it is in the link above. I'm pretty well satisfied with it. it's a great knot that not only secures a fly pretty well, but can also be used in lieu of a surgeons or blood knot and is also the only knot I bother with to attach a leader butt to a fly line. For this purpose, it's alias is the nailless nail knot.

Very versatile knot. Does everything but make coffee...

http://www.cabelas.com/information/cabelas-field-guides/Knot-Library-Fishing-Knots/Uni-Knot.html

 

[Bruno]

The George Harvey Dry Fly Knot. I use it for everything.

http://147.202.33.203/newsletter/oct04/harveyknot.htm

 

[albatross]

I can't believe there are still knots out there for me to discover. I did some pretty serious internet research on this about a year and a half ago. That's when I found the Orvis knot which I thought was the end-all be-all.

I'll have to give the Davey and Harvey knots a try. The Orvis knot doesn't leave the fly inline with the tippet as well as I'd like.

One of the nice features of the Orvis is that you can tighten the knot and leave a small loop around the hook eye so the fly can pivot and have greater action. This will tend to tighten like a slip knot if you hook a fish.

 

[dryflyguy]

I've been fishing #32 flies using the improved clinch knot without any problems - using 7X tippet I should add.
As RLEEP suggests, I twist it only 4 x, instead of 5. That probably weakens the knot even further, but you don't have a whole lot of strength with 7x anyway.
That Davy knot is very interesting - I'll have to give it a try

 

[Bruno]

I've been playing around with this one as well lately

http://www.fieldandstream.com/fieldstream/photogallery/0,13355,1203666_12,00.html