Improved Clinch Knot

[Riffle]

Here's my tip for the day: The improved clinch knot (or any suitable alternative) -- remember to use it when tying on your flies.

In order to get back to fishing in a hurry last night after Woolly Bugger Number 1 was snagged in a tree, I tied Woolly Bugger Number 2 onto my tippet with only a clinch knot, not the "improved" version.

Well, on cast number 1 with Woolly Bugger Number 2 on my line, I hooked nice trout number 1 of the evening. The thing is, my knot wasn't strong enough. I made a mistake and paid for it.

Seems like I do this once a season, and never learn my lesson. 5 turns of 4x with a woolly bugger for a clinch knot just isn't quite enough...it needs to an improved clinch knot!

[streamstomper]

Oops. I understand completely. How many times have I not been able to get the line to go back through that I just toss and pray that it holds. Frustration gets the best of me too often!

[waterworker]

Davy knot.http://www.itinerantangler.com/podcasts/2006/02/video_archive_how_to_tie_the_d.html

[leadwingcoachman]

I was an improved clinch knot guy, but then I discovered the davy wotton knot and have been using it for quite awhile with out a single complaint. It's a lot easier to tie, holds great. You can even use it to quickly add a dropper line off your leader above the knot for your tippet.

waterworker... you got that in while I was typing this... great minds...

[waterworker]

I was an improved clinch knot guy, but then I discovered the davy wotton knot and have been using it for quite awhile with out a single complaint. It's a lot easier to tie, holds great. You can even use it to quickly add a dropper line off your leader above the knot for your tippet.

waterworker... you got that in while I was typing this... great minds...
Same here.Used the improved clinch forever.Then I came upon the davy and never looked back.Really great for dropper off the hook bend also.....and your right about the mind thing.

[bassrag]

The davy knot is the bomb. Hold tight and rarely slips.

[The Fisherman]

One of my favorite sayings: "Knots are not worthy of your trust."

;-)

[Shadow]

With streamers, I dont even use the clinch. Uni-knot all the way.

[Z Fisher]

That Davy Knot looks almost identical to the Orvis Knot. I've been using the Orvis knot for the past 5 years or so. Simple and strong.

http://www.orvis.com/orvis_assets/files/index.html

[leadwingcoachman]

That Davy Knot looks almost identical to the Orvis Knot. I've been using the Orvis knot for the past 5 years or so. Simple and strong.

http://www.orvis.com/orvis_assets/files/index.html

Yeah but the Davy knot is cheaper. Once Orvis puts their name on something they double the price.

[Riffle]

I think I'll give the Davy Wotton Knot a try. It does look pretty easy, looks like it uses less tippet too. I guess I've always used the clinch knot as it's what I was taught to use a long long long time ago. Basically the only 2 knots I currently use are the blood knot and the improved (most of the time) clinch knot. Over the years I've rarely had trouble, unless I didn't "improve" the clinch knot. I think I've only ever had a few blood knots fail on me. Funny (sad) story about a failed blood knot. The first decent fish I ever hooked with a fly was on the first hand tied leader I ever tied. I lost the the fish at the blood knot between where the butt end of the leader connects to the taper section. Man, I remember that mistake clear as day, but since then, I've been happy with the blood knot. (Aside from the occassional arbor and tail knots, I've been a blood knot/clinch knot guy forever, but now maybe I'll broaden my horizon). Does anybody know if the Davy Wotton Knot holds up in the salt for stripers?

[Z Fisher]

Yeah but the Davy knot is cheaper. Once Orvis puts their name on something they double the price.

Yeah, but you get slammed on the currency conversion rates for the Wotton knot. Even though he moved to the U.S. he only accepts payment in GB Pounds.

[Steve Z]

Do you moisten the knot before you pull it tight? Are you getting five full wraps around the standing end?

5 turns of 4x should hold very well. When you pulled in the line after losing the bugger what did it look like? Clean break or curly pig tail?

Are you using floro or mono? How old is it? How do you store it?

I don't mean to pry but there has to be something else going wrong here. Maybe old tippet, maybe a slightly incorrect knot. Something. There is no way that should snap off or unwind.

[Riffle]

I moistened it (saliva), I said it was 5 turns, perhaps, maybe only 4 turns, by the time I got the tag end through the loop, The break had a curly pig tail. Tippet is mono, Rio. The tippet I got in feb or march, so it's reasonably new. (I suppose storing it in the car could be my downfall). (Remember though, I know specifically that I didn't run the tag end through the wide loop turning it into the "improved" clinch, I'm pretty sure that's where my problem was. I was being lazy, something I've got away with before). I've got to say, the fish tugged pretty hard, but it was no monster, It had one good leap, I'd say at best 16" long Rainbow, but probably less than that. All in all, the fish suprised the heck out of me, but based on where I was, I really couldn't let him run, and really didn't see the need to. I've tied thousands of clinch knots, but I guess something could have gone wrong in tying it, who knows.

[streamstomper]

Thanks for the advise. I will definitely be trying out the Wotten knot. I tried the Orvis but it is the same problem as the improved clinch. Trying to get the tag end around and around then through throws me off.

[Steve Z]

I moistened it (saliva), I said it was 5 turns, perhaps, maybe only 4 turns, by the time I got the tag end through the loop, The break had a curly pig tail. Tippet is mono, Rio. The tippet I got in feb or march, so it's reasonably new. (I suppose storing it in the car could be my downfall). (Remember though, I know specifically that I didn't run the tag end through the wide loop turning it into the "improved" clinch, I'm pretty sure that's where my problem was. I was being lazy, something I've got away with before). I've got to say, the fish tugged pretty hard, but it was no monster, It had one good leap, I'd say at best 16" long Rainbow, but probably less than that. All in all, the fish suprised the heck out of me, but based on where I was, I really couldn't let him run, and really didn't see the need to. I've tied thousands of clinch knots, but I guess something could have gone wrong in tying it, who knows.

I hope I didn't come off wrong. Just trying to help you figure out. 4x with 5 turns on a regular cinch knot should hold. Must have been a fluke.

[Riffle]

No worries...you didn't come off wrong at all. I was just sort of providing the facts. Who knows what went wrong, but I'm just thinking if it was an improved clinch, it wouldn't have happened.