Knot Today

April 7th, 2008 Buster

I was sitting at home the other night writing some future posts on several knots that a fisher or fly fisher should know. I began looking of instruction of these knots and I was coming across all kinds of other knots that could be use for tying down a kayak or canoe, and knots for other uses. I spoke with Wade and we are going to pass along some knots that are useful in the outdoors from an Improved Clinch Knot, Bowline Knot, Truckers Knot, and so on.

I was looking at different websites and came across a site which listed the seven most useful outdoor knots that every outdoors person should know. The seven knots are the Trucker’s Hitch, Two Half Hitches, Figure Eight, Rolling Hitch, Bowline, Tautline Hitch, and Improved Clinch Knot. To start out the knot series, Outdoorzy will present you the instructions on how to tie each of these knots, after that there will various other knots, hitches, and bends useful for fishing, camping, climbing, and other outdoor sports. Before the knot series begins, I thought I would go over some basic knot knowledge and definitions.

Tag End – The part of the line in which the knot is tied. The tag end is used to denote the short excess line that remains after a knot is tied. In fishing, this would be the portion that is trimmed.

Standing Part – The main part of the rope not in the knot itself, the rope not being tied is the standing part.

Seating a knot is simply tightening the knot by removing the excess line. A smooth, continuous pulling motion is best; not a jerking motion.

For fishing knots, it is important to lubricate or wet the knot when the knot is seated. Lubricating the knot prevents friction or heat, which can leaken the leader or tippet.

Knowing the several knots is always useful information, you never know when you will need to tie a rope to a tarp to make an impromptu tent, tie to pieces of rope together, tie down a canoe or kayak down to a vehicle. I hope you enjoy and find the new series helpful.

Entry Filed under: Buster the Fly Fishing Guru, Gear, General, Knots