President's Newsletter.
February 2008
MY KNOT IS BETTER THAN YOUR KNOT!
At last months meeting we had some fun tying leaders using David Blinkens formula with fluorocarbon leader material progressing from 40 to 30 to 25 and finally to 20 lb test line. We used an Albright Knot to attach the leader to the fly line and blood knots to attach the leader segments to each other. As we found out from Frank Crescitelli, he uses a different formula. He ties a very short length of 40 or 50 lb mono to the flyline with a loop to loop connection utilizing a spider hitch. He then uses a 4 to 5 ft length of mono of 20 to 25 lb test as his tippet. Which one is the best? The answer is both. It depends on the type of fishing you do. Frank does mostly bottom fishing as he hunts for lunker bass. A delicate cast is not a priority to him. David uses mostly intermediate and floating lines as he fishes near the surface and a delicate cast therefore becomes more important.
When it comes to knots the same is true. It depends on use and priority. When you are fishing for tough fish like Tarpon or Permit for example and you are pushing the limits of your equipment you want the strongest and most reliable knots even if they are difficult to tie. In another case, like fishing at night with low light, you still need strength and reliability but the knots must be easy to tie, such that you can tie them with your eyes closed.
So, what is the best knot for you; a spider hitch or a Bimini twist; a blood knot or a surgeon’s knot; a perfection loop or a surgeon’s loop?
At our next meeting, on March 3rd, we will tie a few and test them out.
Ryan Sansoucy will be our featured guest at our March meeting to tell us about some great flats fishing in Rhode Island and also a possible destination trip for the club to his location. Ryan is a refreshing new comer to the fly fishing scene. He has a new start up company featuring some nice rods. Weather permitting, we should be able to try them out.
Thanks, to Frank Crescitelli, for last month’s presentation and for input into our leader tying efforts.
It was amazing to realize the breadth and depth of the fishery that exists almost in the shadow of our New York skyline.
Keep ‘em tight
Bill