Streamer Leader Knot
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I thought you couldn’t use a blood knot unless the two lines you tie together are 1 size or so difference. 20 to a 15 would work but I don’t know about 20 to 12.
JK
I’ve been messing around with a few of Kelly Gallup and Bob Lensenman leader theory’s.
">http://www.amazon.com/Modern-Streamers-Trophy-Trout-Techniques/dp/088150466118″ 20lb buttt
24″ 8-12lb tippetor
24″ butt
10″ 15lb tippet / 14″10lb
.. either maxima chameleon & ultra green or SeaGuar. Sometimes I use a 5′ piece of just 15lb.I sometimes use a jam knot combined with a uni… or a few hitches for that matter for larger leaders. Some type of loop knot is standard as well. There are a few, I’m not certain the actual name of the specific loop knot I use.
i use about 6-7′ of 20lb but section with a small barrel swivel to 3-4′ of 8lb seagur.
both mono and seagur are tied with an improved clinch knot to the swivel.
i use a triple surgeons loop to attach the streamer. the streamer is thus on a loop which imparts more action.
you go threw more tippet that way but i find the action of the fly is worth it.
Killer,
I would listen to Bryan G, I have seen some of the fish that guy catches… from Tigers to Big Browns and Monster Cutts!!!
Curious if those of you using short leaders for streamers are doing so with sinking lines (tips/heads/whatever). Don’t see much benefit to a 3 foot leader on floating line, for instance, compared to one twice or more that long. Some better control, perhaps, if comparing short to very long.
Knots: Big issue, at least to me, is to make sure tippet-to-fly knot is stronger than tippet-to-leader knot, else tendency will be to lose entire tippet on break-off, and not just fly.
I use a short (3 feet, maybe 4) with a sinking head, and usually just two sections of leader. Butt of 20- to 30-lb (40 in salt with heavier lines), and tippet of 8-12 (fresh) or maybe up to 20 in salt.
I tend to use non-slip mono loop to fly, and three- (or four-) turn surgeons knot between butt and tippet. Previously mentioned slim beauty looks nicer than the surgeons; more inconsistent in strength when I tie them.
Depending upon material and my knot tying on that day, the surgeons and loop are similar in breaking strength, and I usually lose the fly only, but sometimes the tippet.
To satisfy yourself, tie various combinations and break ’em at home.
Buzz
Leaders for streamer fishing can perform more than a single function. I learned from Harry Murray–the Smallmouth guy–years ago to add about 18″ of Amnesia line in 20# for 5wgt and 30# for 7wgt to the end of my sink tips and sinking fly lines. This highly visible flouresent line makes for a great indicatior. The Amnesia ends in a perfection loop and I merely add 4′ of 0X or 1X when chucking streamers.
Streamers are all about pounding banks and structure with accurate casts–keeping the fly in the water. Since sink tips and sinking lines have to be retrieved to some extent before the fly can be recast, the amnesia gives the angler an accurate indicator as to the amount of line remaining in the water, even at some depth. The indicator allows line pickup to be made at the optimal time for recasting in a single stroke. No False casting required. Keeps the fly in the water and on target.
I was using the 2′ of 20lb. and 2′ of 12lb., problem is the knot connecting the two lines. You can’t use a blood knot, and a surgeon’s knot is big and ugly.
I’ve been fishing the Little Red in Arkansas and hitting the banks hasn’t been working. I caught one brown around 18″. The big fish are in the deep pools. I can’t even get to them with my 26′ 240 grain shooting head line.
I did learn a new tactic to try, and I tied two olive articulated streamers to try this coming weekend. I fished the Rims shoals on the White this past Sunday. Nymphing was hit or miss. Two fisherman were catching many fish with small olive wooly buggers. I swallowed my pride and asked and watched exactly how they were fishing. They were casting downstream, letting the flies drift till they straightened out then they started stripping upstream, very very slowly. 1-2 inches and pause. They both had sink tip lines and the one guy had his rod tip all but touching the river bottom. It worked, I caught a few like that.
I’m going to go this weekend and practice that some more and with a 26′ sink tip. The key is to get the flies on the bottom.
JK
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JK
you can do a double uni-knot. that is quickly becoming my favorite fly to leader knot because of its ability to create a loop if needed, and its ease to tie. but for line to leader connections it works great regardless of the diameter difference. I use it a good bit between braided line and mono leaders on my darkside striper rig with good results.
Double Uni Knot
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CmRxGNnxHofly to leader Uni Knot
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