surgeons knot

[djc21]

Hey guys,
I need some help on tying on new tippet to my shortened leader! Every time I try to tie the surgeons knot I clip both ends and to make sure it won't break I jerk both lines and then my knot breaks. Is this not a good knot to tie, or am I just tying it wrong?

Thanks,
David C.

[Mike Smith]

David, I'm not sure your tying it correctly. I've used the surgeon's knot for years. Here's the link I used to learn it. I hope this will help. Mike

http://www.flymartonline.com/article211.html

[Windknot]

David,

From your description, the knot was neither lubricated (saliva is fine, or just dunk it in the stream) nor snugged down carefully.

When a knot slips under pressure, it generates heat, which pops the line.

Maintain control of all four strands of mono (or FC), lube it up, then smoothly draw it tight.

An alternate thought, are you aware leader and tippet material have a finite shelf life? There might be a date sticker on the back of the tippet spool, And that mono reacts badly to heat?

Hope this helps.
Don

[fishnpreacher]

Sometimes tying fluoro to mono is the culprit. I don't have to worry bout that, cause I can't afford that fluoro stuff. The way I get tangles in my leaders and have to retie, I'd go broke(r) with fluorocarbon.

[Kent]

David, I think Windknot has your solution, i.e. tighten smoothly by pulling all four ends simultaneously (after lubing). Pull it very tight. The surgeons should be 95% plus. But the diameters of the two lines should not differ by more than 2 or 3X.

BTW, for me a 3-turn surgeons is appreciably stronger than the 2-turn (and I have tested `em). And though I've heard problems reported with mono-to-fluro, I mixed `em with a surgeons & never had a problem (though I actually haven't tested that).

[William T.]

I am just getting into fly fishing. I did not realize there were so many steps to getting the line ready. Do you guys use all these steps? Backing,flyline,leader,tippet and then the fly?

[YellowBreechesBoy]

William T-

Some might skimp on backing (but that's pessimistic)

Otherwise, you need line, leader, and tippet to fish. It's worth understanding your tackle (leaders, tippets, knots, hooks)- to minimize frustration down the road.

If you can, note how a veteran (or a guide) tunes into tippet length and size, checking for windknots, sharpening up hooks. You'll come to appreciate these things as you fish longer

[trout whisperer]

whisperer sez: David, if you determine that you are in fact tying your knot correctly, then you'd better be suspicious of your tippet. that stuff does have a shelf life and as it ages it becomes brittle. storing it in direct sunlight speeds this aging process. regards, TW

[Grateful Sam]

Hey David, maybe you dont know your own strength when tightening your knots.

[Rick Padgett]

Lots of good info already shared. One question, where does it break. The most likely place is next to the knot on the small line side. I would guess you maybe aren't taking care when snugging, or maybe not lubing the know. Hey Fishin Preacher, FC is not that expensive if you buy it from the spin/bait cast side of a store on a large spool. It's mostly the same stuff, and you get 20 times as much for the same price!

Also remember, you are likely using 5X, (4 lb line). You aren't Bass fishing with 12-15 lb test line. You can't pull too hard on the line or a big trout.

Tight Lines,
Rick