Lines to Leader Attachments

Getting the leader onto the end of your fly line involves some intricate procedures. Various tools, techniques, and tried-and-true methods exist. The oldest method is the nail knot, which effectively captures the fly line with a complex maneuver. The leader is wrapped around the fly line, and a tool or common nail is used to leave an opening to finish the knot. Once cinched and finished, it forms a usable attachment. However, this method has its drawbacks. The leader needs to be removed due to wear and tear, and the end of the fly line is cut, revealing the limitations of this approach.

Another method is to weld a permanent loop onto the fly line using a stout piece of leader material, typically 8-12 inches long. The end of the leader is formed into a perfect loop. Since most premade leaders come with a loop on the butt end, a loop-to-loop connection can be made. Flexible loop connectors, resembling Chinese fingers, are used to place over the line. These devices are fed over the line to capture it, and a small piece of heat shrink is used to keep the connector in place. Caution is advised when using an open flame; a hair dryer is a better alternative. As with all types of connectors, regular visual inspections are necessary, and if in doubt, replacement is recommended. 

A few essential knots every angler should know are the nail knot, double surgeon knot, blood knot, Davy knot, improved clinch, and perfection loop. While you don’t need to master every knot, it’s crucial to learn the ones you use daily. Practice until you can tie them even in the dark and blindfolded. Remember, conditions are never perfect, so take your time and don’t rush. After every fish, always test the knot used to attach your fly.

Ice On My Guides

Winter has undoubtedly arrived in all the lower 48 states. Even in Florida, known for its sunshine and stubbornness, the weather has turned cold. One of my neighbors yelled through his hurricane glass window, exclaiming, “You’re crazy! I’m not going out there!” Walking my dogs during bad weather is a mission statement, and someone has to do it! So, I’ve been elected to brave the cold, dark mornings. I don my down parka, wool hat, and Gore-Tex gloves to face the freezing temperatures of the Florida winter. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart.

This brings me back to a time in my silviculture class (not civics) when ninety of us brave souls embarked on a snowshoeing adventure onto a small frozen pond. The ice began to tilt due to the unbalanced weight of our group. We were instructed not to go near the inlet or outlet (I bet you didn’t know ponds had such things) and instead, walk to a safe edge up a small hill to observe some trees growing in a bog. The tips of my ears froze that day, and they still ache now. 

Later that year, after the ice began to recede, I caught some beautiful brook trout. I constantly knocked the ice off my guides, knowing that if I waited for a warmer day, the thrill of standing in the cold and casting to areas of open water teeming with hungry trout would be lost.

In the northern country, the term “ice out” is used to describe the sudden urge to go fishing in the cold early spring days. People could be heard having hushed conversations about which pond was shedding its ice, as if it were a state secret. Knowledge was quietly shared in low voices, but soon the secret was out, and next thing you know, city folk showed up and ruined the party.

One part of the ice out is the spring turnover, a term used to describe the winds that cause the pond, which had been heavily stratified over the winter, to break up. This breaks up the layers, allowing oxygen to be spread evenly throughout the water column. This brings much joy to both the trout and the fishermen.