Here is a Borger video (Quicktime required) that shows how to tie a uni-knot. It is accessed by the link "Nail-less nail knot". A double uni (for joining sections of leader material) is just a second knot tied in the opposite direction. You then wet both knots and draw them snug against each other. Trim the tag ends and go fishing! One of the great advantages of a double uni is that you can join tippet materials sections that are widely apart in diameter. (easily up to 3 sizes different). I was using a single uni with about five winds of material to secure the end of the tippet when I was fishing the brassie as described below. You just need a bulk sufficient to avoid be pulled through the hook eye.
Wes
J&A Burbank wrote:
Welcome back Wes sounds like a really nice trip. Do you know of anywhere
that shows the "barrel" knot you spoke of?
Hi Jim,
A barrel knot is a basic flyfishing leader building knot. There should be an online reference somewhere that someone can supply.
While at Sugar Creek Ranch (Callahan, California), we had a little get together for flyfisher Joe Cooper who was celebrating his 88th birthday. (Joe has been 'retired' from the auto business since age 45, and has logged every one of nearly 14,000 fish he has caught on a fly he has tied. He now lives in a small rental house in Callahan, and has 'lifetime' privileges to fish Sugar Creek Ranch).
Anyway, the discussion got around to fly fishing knots, and we all agreed that barrel knots were the devil's doing! They are fussy to tie, prone to failure, etc. etc.
A fishing guide friend once showed me what is called a double uni knot, which I feel is much easier to tie and much more dependable. I have only had a couple of these knots fail in over six years of fishing. Try looking for a uni or double uni knot (two uni knots going opposite directions). If I get the time, I will search around the net for an illustration of these. They are called grinner knots in the UK. I also think they go by another name in U.S. flyfishing circles.
Wes Bend, Oregon
