What a great tip, especially for us older fly fishers. Going into my 8th decade, those leaders seem to be getting smaller and more invisible, especially with water up to the knees.
Sure glad I stumbled into this one. I've recently relocated to western NC from the Pacific Northwest and my fly-fishing is going to change to much smaller flies, leaders, and tippets. At age 70, this will be absolutely a better way to tie the clinch knot. Thanks.
Deborah, this is an absolutely brilliant way to tie a fly, I have been fishing for over fifty years, and these years have taken their toll on both my eyes and dexterity of my fingers, I now have the solution.many thanks
I fly fished for the first time today and spent more time trying to tie tiny knots than fishing. This is EXACTLY what I was looking for. Can't wait to try it out tomorow.
I tried your technique several times today while on the water and it is indeed very simple and easy. That said, I lost a couple of flies, one while casting. One even failed when I just pulled the fly to test the knot. Reviewing a couple of other websites that explain how to tie a clinch knot (Mad River Outfitters and Orvis Fly Fishing), both emphasize that you should NOT pull on the tag end when tightening this knot. Just hold the tag end against the fly/hook and pull the line to tighten (after moistening). They say the knot can fail if you pull on the tag end. I'm not an expert, but my experience today makes me think maybe they are right. I pulled on both the tag end and the line when tightening my knots. So, just something for folks to watch out for. Doesn't mean this method is bad, just pay attention to how you tighten the knot.
Thanks for this tip. My clinch knot seems to fail more than work, but always thought had to pull on tag end as well! Will try your tip as well. Thanks!
Lol… I feel so silly. Been reel fishing for 30 years and always tied by hand. Just bought a fly rod because I moved close to a river and stumbled on this video looking for casting techniques… That’s so simple and effective. Thanks for a great new skill.
omg thank you. I have trouble seeing the little loop at the eye and even wrapping the tag around 5 times. This is so much easier. ✌️🤟 PS- you should do more of these tips and tricks videos.
I have vision issues and this will definitely help me enjoy fly fishing again...gave it up before as I would get frustrated on the water tying on flys...thx so much!
I can't wait to give it a try! I don't know how many times I've been fishing for one species and see something else swim by and not being able to switch flies fast enough. This is a perfect solution! Great video
Just found this video and I'm so glad I did. Getting up there in years and the eye sight is not what it used to be. Besides, I hate changing fly's. This is such a great tip!! Thank you so much and God bless.
Wow!! This is going to be a game changer for me. I felt like my clinch knots were failing, and so I started using the "improved clinch knot," which I've found very difficult to master. My 61 y/o eyes have difficulty with depth perception, trying to tell which piece of line is in front of or behind the loop, or the eye, esp against the variegated background of a stream, or vegetation. Taking, I swear, sometimes five tries (10 minutes) just to make that knot and change the lure. (Not to mention embarrassing.) As a result, I've stayed with lures when I should have changed, bc of the knot-tying hassle. This will eliminate all that, and I am SO grateful for this advice!!
drewby613 I am so happy this will help you! I created this video years ago and it continues to bring me such wonderful comments like yours. I hope you have a glorious Fall on the water.
G'Day Deborah from Australia, I had seen this knot demonstrated on another video but not as clearly as is shown on yours. I've tried it and will be using this knot to tie on my flies from now on. Great for low light conditions and cold weather when my eyes and fingers struggle. Thanks and Tight Lines, Stephen.
Deborah I really like this method for tying a clinch knot. I looked at some of the other videos you've posted on RU-vid. If we where neighbors, I think we could be friends!
My god lady I love you!!! I’m not kidding I spend a good 3-4 minutes messing around with my line and fly trying to get a damn knot tied! It’s such a pita that I will fish with a fly that might not be great because I don’t want to take the time getting angry at the wing and the size 20 hook on my flies! This is dang awesome!
Hah! I love this. I've always held both ends of the line and twisted the fly by the hook 5 times. I've also seen people clamp their forceps to the hook and use that to twist... but neither of those techniques actually help you with the fiddly task of getting the line back through the loop at the base of the knot. I will definitely be trying this soon.
What an amazing find! Gone are the frustrations of attempting to feed that invisible line tip whilst swatting black flies from your neck and fighting with reading glasses that slip of your nose. Lol.
I am brand new... struggled standing in the river to tie with freezing fingers in the crisp Utah morning . Literally yelling at my fingers to “work”. I can’t wait try!!!
I know this was uploaded quite some time ago, but I just can’t believe how simple this is and how quick it is. The only downside I have is that it pulls out quite easily, yet that may be my tying skills or the fact I’m using old and low pound line. Anyways thanks for the excellent tip!
This looks brilliant, I'm in my 60's, arthritis in my joints and eyesight not what it used to be. I reckon this is going to be a game changer. Why haven't I come across this before, thanks.
I don't know whether I'm thrilled or angry! I am THRILLED to have learned this. It is SO easy. I'm angry because I've been doing it the hard way for 20 years! And now I've got fat fingers and fading eyes (great fishing song title?) and this is going to save me HUGE amount of time and a TON of AGGRAVATION!! Thank you!
After all these years fishing, thinking I knew all that I needed to know, I happened on to this video and this old dog learned a new trick…that works. Great video. Thanks
Very cool! That's similar to how I tie a loop on the end of a leader except the line is doubled over, doubled line looped over hemostats, twisted, then the loop which is your tag end is pulled through with the tips of the hemostats. Never thought of threading it through a hook eye first. Thanks!
Great demo ... thanks a real bunch. I've spent an hour on a stream trying to tie on a #16 Adams, just to throw it out into the water, when I realized, much to my horror as it floated downstream, I never had my tippet tied to the fly.
Great tip for when the eyes start to disappoint. As my grandfather said, "I've never had so much trouble seeing until I started wearing glasses." This method will make things so much easier. Thanks.
I don't fly fish but I'm an avid fisherman. When ice fishing tying light line with cold/numb fingers is really difficult. this will be a fantastic trick!
Might try this for tying wire. For tying on flies I use a Davy knot with an extra tuck...really quick, strongand uses very little line( perfect for tying on droppers)
This is very similar to the Penny Knot or what I call the Gunn Knot, which I have been tying for ever on stream in Australia and I once meet a man who knew Penny way back when. It's a great fast tight knot, but we use a finger instead.
