Category: Fishing Tips and Tricks
As I was considering a number of ways to attach a loop for my fly line-to-leader connection, I came across a reference to a very simple knot for attaching the fly to the tippet. It’s called the “Davy Knot”, and I can’t believe how both simple and strong this knot is. Dave Wotten, Coach of the U.S. World Youth Flyfishing Team, developed this knot to minimize the time it takes to tie on a fly and allow more time for the fly to be on the water. As the old Chinese proverb goes, “A fly out of water catches no fish.”
The Davy Knot
Not only easy and fast, it also reduces the heat stress that so many knots, like the Clinch and Improved Clinch, impart on the tippet above the knot, causing the curls in, and weakening, the tippet. It also minimizes the tippet waste because only the length of the tag line you “pinch” just before you tighten the knot remains. You can pinch as little or as much as you wish. With practice, you can pinch so little that you don’t even need to trim the tag.
For a link to a web site with pictures showing how to tie the knot, CLICK HERE. Try it and let me know what you think.
Where to find trout is important
At our last meeting, our now former member Dr. Larry Puckett provided an outstanding presentation on the characteristics of stream habitat to look for when stalking the elusive brook trout. Larry was very gracious to make this material available for both our education and to make our quests for trout more productive. His presentation, and data are available for viewing by clicking the links below:
For his presentation “Prospecting for Brook Trout” Click Here
For his 2000 VTSSS data Click Here
For his map displaying geological areas of Virginia Click Here
If you think playing a fish until you tire it out is okay, think again, reports the American Fisheries Society. Recent research shows that playing a fish until you tire them actually builds up excessive levels of lactic acid which can affect their ability to swim. Note: if a fish can’t properly swim, it will have a difficult time avoiding bigger predatory fish. Ultimately, this can have an adverse impact on the stability of fish species. “The rule here is to play fish to hand quickly and efficiently.” This will not only help aid in the species to service longer periods, but will also ensure that future fishing is preserved.
(Excerpt from Outdoor Life, May 2009)
