I read an article a while back about different knots with regards to strength and purpose. This type of open looped knot was recommended for a few reasons. When nymphing this knot would allow for a more fluid drift and perhaps promote twitching? Also the application for dry fly fishing is that with smaller flies it would allow the fly to turn and swirl more freely while on the surface of the water. I have no experience with this knot. Here in a minute I will be practicing on a good 4ft. section of 6-7x tippet. Hopefully this knot will serve me well. I probably wouldn’t use it on a streamer or bigger hopper pattern but for smaller nymphs and dries I want to give this a whirl.
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Posted by winonaflyfactory @ 10:18 pm
Tags: Duncan Knot, Fishing Knots, Fly Fishing, Open Loop Knot
6 Responses
January 25th, 2009 at 8:11 am
this knot is also called the ‘uni-knot’, and it can be used back to back to join lines.
The biggest problem with it is that the loop slides down (which I suppose could also be a feature if it functioned as a shock reducer).
A better loop is the ‘non-slip mono loop’ – http://www.flyfisherman.com/skills/lkknots/index1.html – it doesn’t slide, is supposed to be stronger than the uni, and isn’t very hard to tie.
January 25th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Thank You very much, I was not pleased that I couldn’t get the knot not to slip down, I thought if I tightened it off that it would stay but I was wrong, thanks for the link I will be trying that knot soon.
January 26th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
The knot is supposed to slip. This knot gives you more action when swinging streamers. The slip in the knot actually allows for a better hook set with less effort from the angler. If you are too lazy to retie a knot after catching a fish then I suggest trying worms.
January 26th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
The uni-knot isn’t the strongest knot around, and it slips. Which can be a feature, but un-slipping a knot is tough.
The non-slip loop works well, is strong, is just as easy to tie.
Unless you’re dealing with toothy critters, why would you expect to retie after every fish? Check for nicks and abrasion, sure, but retie? I’d rather fish.
January 27th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Cheers Winona.
Good post, nice discussion. I’m with Bubble, the Non-Slip is a money knot – so simple.
March 1st, 2009 at 9:44 pm
I’ve been using this knot for almost everything– and I mean everything. I think it’s strength comes from the fact that there is that big outside loop that goes over the wraps– when pulled tight the loop pushes the wraps tighter together instead of pulling them apart…. anyways… that no-slip loop looks pretty amazing too.