Figure 7 shows the principle of the Turle Knot, which is nothing more than a Single Running Knot tightened around the neck of the fly. Any other running knot may be used in the same way.
It is usual to tie the Turle by throwing a Single Running Knot (a Two Fold Running Knot is better) on the end of the tippet, which has previously been passed through the eye of the fly, completing the fastening by passing the loop over the fly and then drawing it up around the neck. Another method, which is more difficult, but lessens the danger of mussing the feathers, forms the running knot around the standing part of the leader, the loop being drawn almost up and is thrust over the eye just before closing, as in the Wemyss Knot.
The number of good eyed-fly and hook knots is really staggering, and each has its devoted adherents. The author’s note book contains over a hundred. Unfortunately some of the best ones, such as the Dana Safety Link (sometimes called the Wood Knot or the Cairnton) and the Multiple Return Knot, which is a Whip Finish around the neck of the fly, are so very difficult to tie that we will not discuss them at this time.
Fortunately, however, there is one knot which is not only simplicity itself but also absolutely secure with any type of leader material. In field experiments conducted by the author to determine which were the safest knots for nylon, it proved the most completely dependable. Not a single failure was scored.
Curiously enough, this excellent knot has seldom been described in angling texts. In nautical language it is a Clinch Knot with several turns, and is illustrated in Figure 8. As it is virtually the same as one side of the leader gut join known as the Barrel Knot, we might well term it the Half Barrel.
In tying the Clinch Knot, thrust the gut through the eye and double it back about three inches along the leader. Twist it several times around the standing part, or, with a little practice, accomplish the same result more quickly by twisting the hook in the fingers. Now bring the end back and thrust it between the turns, at the eye of the hook. Draw it up snug by pulling on the leader. That’s all; as easy as that.
For tying a line or leader to a ringed hook, swivel or ringed lure, you need only one knot, the Fisherman’s Bend. Everyone should know this knot, as it has more uses and applications than any other except the Sheet Bend. It is used for tying a line or rope of any size into a ring, around a spar or beam, to a pail handle, for tying up the dog and any number of other purposes. Because it is almost always used as one, it is also known as the Anchor Knot.
Figure 9(a) shows the principle of the Fisherman’s Bend, stopped with and overhand knot, and Figure 9(b) with a loop, which makes a Slip Fisherman, a little harder to tie, but easier to release.
If you are lazy you can get by merely by tying a long loop on the end of the line or leader, which is pushed through the ring and over the lure, as in looping a fly line to a running line (Figure 2).
To be happy on the stream you need to know how to join the two ends of a parted leader, and how to replace a loop which has broken off. The best knots are, of course, the ones used for tying up the leaders in the first place, but these are a bit tricky to do on the stream without considerable practice. They are the Leader Gut Bend (Blood Knot), the Reverse Leader Gut Bend (Barrel Knot) and the Perfection Loop. The usual methods of tying are illustrated in Figures 10 and 11. If you want to study them further, detailed instructions will be found in the Nylon Knot Book. But for emergency field use the simpler knots will suffice.
The simplest knot of all is the ordinary Single Open Hand Eye Knot, which almost everybody knows, though he may not know it by that name. This can be used, but is unsatisfactory, because it has a bad “dog-leg” in it. It is made simply by doubling the gut back on itself, to form a loop, and then tying a plain Overhand Knot with the loop.
Much better is the Two Fold Open Hand Eye Knot (Figure 12) which is made in the same way, except that the loop is passed through twice instead of once. This loop does not have a dog-leg. Three Fold, Four Fold and Multiple Fold Knots are possible also, and are very neat, though difficult, as are the purely ornamental Double and Triple Open Hands, frequently confused with the above forms.
Just as good, and also very quick and easy, is the Flemish Open Hand Eye Knot, with which the loop in Figure 3 is tied. Make it by tying a Figure of Eight with a loop. It has no dog-leg, and only a slight offset, virtually straight pull. This loop is recommended for VEC, particularly, but is equally strong with other materials.
To join two lengths of gut neatly and securely the same knots may be employed. Instead of doubling back a single strand the two strands are lapped and tied as one. Of course, the entire length of the leader has to be pulled through the knot. Joins of this type are known as water Knots. 
Figure 13 shows the construction of the Single Water Knot. To form a Two Fold Water Knot merely make a second turn, as in the Two Fold Open Hand Eye. Figure 14 gives the finished appearance of three other Water Knots, Three Fold, Double and Flemish
There is no form of knot which will be at all satisfactory for joining a broken fly line, as any knot at all is bulky enough to jam in the small guides. lt must be spliced, and even if you know how this is a headache on the stream. It is good insurance to carry an extra line in your pocket. A bait casting line which has parted however, may be tied together with a Two Fold or Three Fold Water Knot, closely trimmed, and will pass through the big guides of a casting rod quite readily. A Blood Knot or a Barrel Knot (Figure 10) is still better.
There are, of course, dozens of other good knots, but if you will learn well the ones we have discussed you will get along all right ninety-nine percent of the time.
Fly Repairs
Fly Fishermen often find that the heads of their flies have become “tacky” through use, yet overlook the simple expedient of touching them up with fingernail polish, which can usually be obtained from their wives’ bureaus. The polish is both waterproof and durable.
Tags: clinch knot, figure of eight, fly line, gut, leader, turle knot