Simple Nail Knot Tool and Tutorial Showing How to Use It.
Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2016 3:36 pm
The needle used in this tool is a Schmetz Microtex Sharp Needle for sewing (Model 130/705 H-M/80/12). The orange handle is made from a short section of semi flexible HMH Poly Tubing (LDPE). The smaller sections are the liner tubing from the same HMH Poly Tubing (semi transparent). I cut a small piece of the orange plastic tubing to serve as a handle, and make it easy to see the tool. Small pieces of semi translucent liner tubing can be stored on the needle (keeps you from poking yourself) and a spare piece inside the plastic handle). Add a single edge straight razor and you've got yourself a handly little kit for adding loops to the end of your fly line. The kit can be stored in one of the tiny mint tin cans, or a small plastic bag.
Make one up, and throw it into you fly vest, so it is handy the next time you need it on a future fishing trip.
Description of the process:
• Cut the end of the fly line with a single edge razor. The razor makes a nice clean square cut (90°) at the end.
• Insert the needle into the center of the fly line, then press it thru roughly 1/4" of the line. Then pass the point of the needle out thru the wall of the fly line.
• Use the razor to shave down the diameter of the red line.
• Pass the tip of the red line thru the eye of the needle, and then pull it back thru the fly line.
• Here is what it looks like, with the red Amnesia line running thru the center of the fly line. If you look closely, you can see the needle at the bottom of the screen.
• Next hold the small piece of translucent tubing against the end of the fly line. Now form a nail knot (four tight wraps).
• Insert the end of the Amnesia line into the translucent tubing. The translucency helps you see the the line has passed under all the wraps.
• The trickiest part of the whole operation. Tightening up the nail knot right next to the spot where it emerges from the fly line. This part takes practice. The main trick is holding the loops snuggly in place while sliding the hollow tubing out of the way. Pinch the loops and slowly tighten the loop by pulling on the ends of the red line. Make one last check before you pull the loops tight. If the loops are out of place, you can nudge them around with your thumb nail, if needed. Once you happy, firmly tighten the knot and clip off the tag end (the red piece on the left hand side.
• Next form a simple perfection loop at the end of the line. This loop will serve as the connection of the fly line to the leader (nice simple loop-to-loop connection).
• Clip off the end sticking out vertically (tag end)
• Voila! Done! You now have a nice high vis loop at the end of you fly line.
The main reason for going thru all this trouble, is the efficiency of the transition. The continuous bend is an indication that this will allow a smooth transition of the casting energy from the fly line, into the leader and tippet material. The small knot will slide easily thru the guides when you are playing a fish in.
Make one up, and throw it into you fly vest, so it is handy the next time you need it on a future fishing trip.
Description of the process:
• Cut the end of the fly line with a single edge razor. The razor makes a nice clean square cut (90°) at the end.
• Insert the needle into the center of the fly line, then press it thru roughly 1/4" of the line. Then pass the point of the needle out thru the wall of the fly line.
• Use the razor to shave down the diameter of the red line.
• Pass the tip of the red line thru the eye of the needle, and then pull it back thru the fly line.
• Here is what it looks like, with the red Amnesia line running thru the center of the fly line. If you look closely, you can see the needle at the bottom of the screen.
• Next hold the small piece of translucent tubing against the end of the fly line. Now form a nail knot (four tight wraps).
• Insert the end of the Amnesia line into the translucent tubing. The translucency helps you see the the line has passed under all the wraps.
• The trickiest part of the whole operation. Tightening up the nail knot right next to the spot where it emerges from the fly line. This part takes practice. The main trick is holding the loops snuggly in place while sliding the hollow tubing out of the way. Pinch the loops and slowly tighten the loop by pulling on the ends of the red line. Make one last check before you pull the loops tight. If the loops are out of place, you can nudge them around with your thumb nail, if needed. Once you happy, firmly tighten the knot and clip off the tag end (the red piece on the left hand side.
• Next form a simple perfection loop at the end of the line. This loop will serve as the connection of the fly line to the leader (nice simple loop-to-loop connection).
• Clip off the end sticking out vertically (tag end)
• Voila! Done! You now have a nice high vis loop at the end of you fly line.
The main reason for going thru all this trouble, is the efficiency of the transition. The continuous bend is an indication that this will allow a smooth transition of the casting energy from the fly line, into the leader and tippet material. The small knot will slide easily thru the guides when you are playing a fish in.
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