Loops

[AndyK]

Who uses loops to attach their fly to their leader? I have fished with two guides who use loops to attach flies where they want more fly action, such as articulated flies and streamers.

For those who use loops, what is your favorite knot?

[TroutGirl]

Duncan Loop for heavy nymphs or leaches. I try to get it with the loop being about 1/4 inch or so. Sometimes am sloppy and its a bit bigger.

It holds up for catching trout. I've used the knot for fishing chum and landing them too. I use it when I dead drift for steelhead, but I never catch steelhead, so I don't know if the loop scares them away or what. :redface:

[scoutfish]

I use a loop on Clark stone flys on the Metiolus the last few years and
I know it makes a differents. Can't remember what he called it but
Dennis Richards showed it to me and you might find it in one of his first
books.

Arnie.

[No Bail]

For those who use loops, what is your favorite knot?



I use the Non slip loop, as seen here, http://content.basspro.com/knotlibrary/images/illustrations/knot4b.gif

[scoutfish]

Ok thats my knot ... still don't have a name. :smirk:

[TroutGirl]

I found an illustration of Duncan Loop.

http://www.killroys.com/knots/duncan.htm

Funny they show it for a dry. I wouldn't want it on a dry and I think that extra stuff would just interfere with casting a light fly. Maybe I'm wrong. Does anybody use a loop on a dry?

[KillerDave]

I like the Rapala Knot. It's like a Duncan Loop, but it does not slip.

http://www.bibliotechno.com/images/rapala.gif

Regarding the illustration link, I usually just do steps 1-4. I suppose step five would be an "improved rapala knot" but it really makes it too dang hard to tie.

[gimmeumpqua]

I too use the "rapala knot"...there are quite a few names for this knot. The "uniknot" or "duncan knot" is my go-to knot for just about everything else. It tends to cinch itself down after a few casts with heavier flies though, and one snag and you've lost your loop. I don't use a loop knot for dries though, unless I'm skating them. I use a cinched down uniknot for dead drifting flies. I don't really know if there is any real rational reason to not use a loop for dries, just a personal preference.

Kurt

[Subtlety]

Lefty's knot

[slinger]

I've started using the non-slip loop exclusivley for swung flies. It certainly allows the fly better movement in the water, though I'm not yet convinced it's helped me catch more fish. More field testing is needed. :)

-Nate

[MikeT]

This fall I fished skaters with a surgeon's loop. Tried a couple other loop knots but I must be knot-disabled. The surgeon's loop is quick and easy to tie.
Mike

[CHOSENBOY]

I always tie a loop when swinging flies for steelhead. The knot that I use is a "Homer Rhodes" loop knot, real easy to tie and it never lets me down. While guiding in Alaska I would use this knot for all my silver flies due to the action that it allows the fly to have.