How to Tie a Balloon Indicator

2:58 (Streaming)

4.9MB

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The balloon indicator is an excellent way to nymph at extreme distances, particularly with a spey rod. It is also unsinkable in pocketwater.

How to Make Braided Loops

9:35 (Streaming)

9.9MB

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Braided Loops are an amazingly useful thing to have on hand, but unfortunately in order to have good ones, you need to make them yourself. I explain the technique needed in the video. I am much indebted to Dan Blanton for his excellent tutorials and advice on this rare and useful flyfishing skill.

For those not familiar with uses for braided loops, this may seem like an odd video. Let me explain. Braided loops are used to lock shooting heads - and complex spey lines - together. Although they look and sound very rough going through the guides, the knots are amazingly resilient, especially when made with 50# material. I use braided loops all the time now - including on the backs of my trout lines. As I explain in the video, the loop can be any size, and large loops are an excellent way to swiftly switch out lines on a reel on the go.

I hope you'll get a lot of out the video and if you have questions, as always, bring them to the Board.

How to Tie the Davy Knot

0:53 (Streaming)

2.5MB

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Davy Wotton is an Arkansas guide who hails from the UK. His "Davy Knot" is an excellent near-100% knot that works best for small flies on light tippet.

How to Tie John Wilson's Trout Crack

2:56 (Streaming)

6.6 MB

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John Wilson is a well respected and extremely successful Arkansas guide. His specialty is large trout on small flies - and his Trout Crack is among the best patterns ever invented for that purpose. For best results, use Trout Crack in sizes #14-20 with 6x or smaller tippet and the Davy Knot.

Trout Crack
Hook: #14-#20 Scud
Dubbing: Tan Antron
Shell: UTC Vinyl Rib (Small) - Tan or Brown
Thread: UTC Clear Mono

Please watch the video for specific tying intructions.