Shootin’ n Snaggin’ with the Frugal Fisherman
I’d be lying if I said I have been fishing here in the last few months. Much like everyone else I have been hunkering down, layering up and lying low, all in an attempt to beat what seems to be a permanent state of frigidity throughout the Bluegrass. For more than eight weeks now I have spent all but an hour or two a week inside. The lack of nature in my life has started to take its toll.
There are only so many movies and books a man can enjoy before he starts to go stir crazy. Before his home starts to feel like a prison. And if you are anything like me the pictures on your walls are talking, the spoons dancing and the furniture moving from kitchen to bath and back again as you come ever closer to loosing your mind.
Somewhere after my fifth Laphroaig late last week I found myself wandering around once again like some deranged hallucinogenic toreador. It was about that time I staggered into my office. Disoriented and bored to death I rifled through box after box of unpacked junk when all of a sudden there it was–my old Boy Scout Handbook from 1982. As I thumbed through the worn and mildewed pages I happened across the section on knots and it hit me: I used to love to tie knots.
My scout’s manual listed six knots: square, bowline, sheet bend, clove hitch, two half hitches and the trucker’s knot. All of these are very useful for tying down a tent or hanging cargo in a tree, but none really have applications for fishing. And neither of the two knots I knew how to tie was listed. So I decided rather than die from boredom and vitamin D3 deficiency, I‘d learn as many knots as I could starting with the two I knew–the palomar and the splice.
Much to my surprise I quickly learned what I thought was the palomar was the improved clinch and the splice turned out to be the double fisherman. The improved clinch is an awesome knot for tying most any hock or lure to your line. It seldom fails and holds up under the most demanding circumstances. And for the most part is easy to tie. The same goes for the palomar knot, but I prefer the improved clinch because it doesn’t come below the hook’s eye and interfere with plastics like grubs or worms.
When I’m trout fishing I often use a lighter lead line in super clear water. Most of the time I’m tying 2 lb. to 6 or 8 lb. test, which can be tricky considering the extreme differences in diameters between the two. For years I had always used what I now know is the double fisherman. It’s an extremely easy and quick knot to tie. But it slips from time to time. I now know why. The 2 lb. test is so thin it struggles to build friction when combined with the thicker 6 or 8 lb. tests. To solve this problem use the double sheetbend. It’s so strong it can even be used to tie slippery ropes like nylons and plastics.
Another new knot I learned to tie is the butterfly knot. For years I’ve simply secured lead weights directly inline with my hook. But when the weight would hang up on debris I’d lose my lead weight as well as my hook and bait. Now I know to tie the butterfly knot. It forms a loop anywhere you want in a line. I like to use because it’s easy to attach a lead weight to the loop and if your weight hangs it will usually break the loop only, leaving you the ability to retrieve your hook and bait. Be sure to retie once retrieved because the broken butterfly knot will slip under any serious future pressure.
For Rapala and crank bait lures I’m going to start using the Rapala knot. After tying it a few times I realized it allows the bait to work properly in the water without restricting its movement. The knot is a much better alternative to the palomar and improved clinch, both of which have bound my lipped baits from time to time or caused my shallow running cranks to veer off to the left or right.
In addition to the above I also learned a great new knot for tying my kayak to a tree or post. I’ve always tied the standard overhand knot which works great but can be tricky to undo once over tightened. A better alternative is the clove hitch. It’s super fast and quickly releases. And its simple design is all but foolproof.
There are literally hundreds of knots available depending upon usage. Many of which are specific to certain sports or applications. I hope to some day learn them all. But for now the three or four knots I’ve discovered will definitely go a long way to making for a better fishing season ahead. And if you’re on the brink of insanity like myself from all this snow, sit back and try tying a few knots. You would be surprised just how relaxing and fun the experience can be on a dull day.
For more information on various knots and how to tie them go to www.netknots.com or www.animatedknots.com.
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