All About Fly Fishing Setting Up the Rod
For a beginner, a seven to eight-foot rod for numbers 5 to 7 fly line weight – the most versatile weight, is recommended. The reel for this can be a single action reel.
This is the most commonly endorsed set-up. However, please bear in mind that this can still vary depending on water conditions and turbulence.
- Knots
Knots are necessary in joining fly lines, tippets, and leaders. Modern fly lines can be manufactured knotless, but these can break off even with the slightest pull. This is why many believe that it is still better to use knots than to buy the knotless ones.
Here are the more popular knot types used in fly fishing.
- Arbor Knot
An arbor is the center part of the fly reel where the fly line and the backing is spun. An arbor knot is essential so that the backing can be tied to the arbor, assuring that the fly line won’t be lost once it reaches its end. Here are some basic steps in tying an arbor knot.
- Pass the fly line around the arbor.
- Tie an overhand knot on the immediate part of the fly line past the arbor, then tie another overhand knot on one end of the fly line.
- Pull both ends of the fly line until the arbor knot is tied tight. You can cut off the excess if you wish.
- Double Surgeon’s Knot
The end of the fly line where the hook is attached is called a leader. A double surgeon’s knot is an excellent way to create a loop to connect the leader to a hook.
Here is a step-by-step guide to help you tie the perfect double surgeon’s knot.
- Double the line over to form a loop and bind them together with a single overhand knot.
- Bring the loop through the overhand knot hole.
- Pull both ends to bring together the new knot.
- Make sure that the tangle is securely tight.
- Clinch Knot
Much like the double surgeon’s knot, the clinch knot is one of the more popular tying methods used to attach the hook to the fly line. It’s firm and will hardly slip, ensuring that a catch won’t be able to escape.
- Insert one end of the fly line through the eye of the hook.
- Holding the same end, make five turns around the immediate portion of the fly line.
- Insert the same end into the first loop that was created in step b.
- Insert the same end into the larger loop that was created from the fifth loop to the eye of the hook.
- Pull to tighten and bring into shape.
- Albright Knot
The Albright knot serves two purposes. First, it is yet another excellent tying method in joining the fly line with the hook. Another is that it is likewise a great method in joining two lines of unequal sizes.
- Shape both fly lines into two separate hooks.
- Hook them together and have one loop five times around the body of the other.
- Insert the end of the untouched line into the bend of the looping line.
- Pull both ends together to tighten the knot.
- Nail Knot
A nail knot is named as such because it uses a real nail as a tool for its creation. It is often used to tie the fly line to the backing, though some fly fishermen have also utilized this knot type to tie the fly line to the hook. Regardless of its function, a nail knot will surely make a sturdy bind to conjoin two different ends.
- Hold the nail in a parallel position to the backing or the hook, whichever you decide to join with the fly line.
- Wrap the end of the fly line at least five times around the backing or the hook and the adjacent nail.
- Insert the end of the fly line into the loops that have been created.
- Remove nail.
- Slowly pull the end of the fly line and the hook or the backing.
Best Wishes, Coyalita
See Tomorrow: “Setting Up the Bait”
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