| If you do not draw on the tag
end when tightening the knot, you produce a perfect clinch knot every time. If you do draw
the knot tight by pulling on the tag end, you roll the knot over itself and the knot will
cut the tippet like a hot knife. This is true no matter whether you use only your hands or
a tying tool.
I have now used this method for
over 7 years very successfully and without knot failure.
© 1998, Bruce E.
Harang
Improved
Clinch Knot
But how could I tie the improved
clinch using my hemostats? The answer evaded me for a long time. Then, while tying a
clinch knot during a day on the water, the answer leaped out at me. Instead of releasing
the tag end from the hemostat jaws after drawing it through the first loop, continue to
hold the tag end and push the hemostat jaws through the new (second) loop formed by
drawing the tag through the first loop. Now release the tag end from the hemostat jaws and
withdraw the jaws. As with the clinch knot, hold the tag end and the fly in one hand and
draw the knot tight after wetting by pulling on the standing end of the tippet. Having
used this procedure for over two years now I have found no problems with tying perfect
improved clinch knots. See the diagram for a visual explanation.
These procedures
are also very helpful for tying these same knots in heavy stiff leader materials more
commonly used in saltwater fly fishing.
© 1998, Bruce E.
Harang
http://www.beaucatcher.com |
