{Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Re: Howcomezit -- loop knots

Josh -- in the "official" tests I've seen and in my own experience (both basement and stream testing), any line > line knot will almost universally be weaker than a tippet > fly knot.  The uni-to-uni, blood, surgeons of various turns, J-knot, etc. test somewhere in the 60% or so breaking strain limit of the lighter material versus the higher strength you generally get with *most tippet > fly knots.  The non-slip loop is a very strong knot, so it would be an anomaly for someone fishing a hand-tied leader to have breakage at the loop knot versus the first knot "upstream" of that.  I dunno?

A bimini may be an exception to that -- but most folks don't attach tippet that way.  I suppose using a tippet ring would remedy it as well, but I hate those things.  

Cary -- I've heard people advocate loop knots for dries (in addition to the typical streamer use), and the argument makes sense.  I use a Duncan loop more than any other knot, so the choice of whether to leave a small loop or cinch to the hook eye is as easy as it gets...you slide it down another few centimeters or you don't ;).  What I've noticed is that after catching fish (or debris) which causes the loop to cinch down, I get no noticeable difference in catch-rate using the closed knot versus the loop.  Granted, I reserve the right to change that opinion at any point!  ;)  You never know -- all it takes is one experience to change your mind about something right?  

I appreciate the interesting points -- 

Gene

On Wednesday, June 10, 2015 at 7:56:01 AM UTC-4, Cary Pugh wrote:

I almost exclusively use a nonslip loop knot with steamers and have used a lot with tapered leaders down to 5x with no issue other than if I don't seat the knot correctly or catch a larger fish or tree than the tippet can handle (esp if there are nicks in the line - if I'm lazy and only tested the streamer i don't change leader or cut back a perfectly good one even though I know I should). I even have used for a "wee" dry fly in 4x in New Zealand - tied by the guide the knot was a thing of beauty. The tiny loop was perhaps the only way the wee dry would have floated correctly with the "rope" we were using - so thick the guide had to cut the tippet at an angle to thread through the hook eye.  I know some twins in Argentina one of whom uses the non slip loop knot and the other the perfection loop to tie on streamers. To each his own but I will not abandon a loop knot for a streamer.  I am a strong proponent and work on tying with as small a loop as possible.  

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