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Slim Beauty Knot

7K views 2 replies 2 participants last post by  rogerstg 
#1 ·
OK thanks to JFBasser I have just retied a gelspun to flyline attachment using the Slim Beauty knot (first try). I like the knot better than an albright and trust that it is much stronger than a loop connection.

I will still use a double surgeon's loop to kevlar loop connector on my Spey reels where I swap lines a lot, since I doubt it will ever break there - but for lines that I do not swap I will replace albrights with this knot for sure.

Here is how to tie it:

Step one...

tie a double overhand knot in the end of the fly line...



Pull slowly and evenly until a figure-eight forms from the tension...



Double over the backing and thread it thru both halves of the figure eight as if they were fly rod guides...

 
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#2 ·
Then wrap the doubled backing over the flyline several times and tuck it under itself like a clinch knot...



Gradually tighten everything up so the fly line knot comes tight like a little barrel and the backing pulls tight over the flyline like a snell of sorts...



My first try, neither too slim nor very beautiful but you get the gist. I am sure I will get smooth with it over time and also am thinking of alternatives to the clinch wrap on the line side. I will let you know if I come up with anything more like a snell on an old eagle claw bait hook.

Thanks JF!
 
#3 ·
You might want to test the strength. A couple years ago when I tried the same thing it seemed to break easily on the back end of a 9wt SA floater. I only tested it by twice and gave up on it after the second failure. I never liked the albright either. Of course, different fly line types will probably have different results.

OTOH. I've never had a properly installed braided loop fail on any type of fly line. Same with a nail knotted or served fly line loop.

I also didn't like the knot because the resulting diameter is about 3x the original line diameter at the "figure eight" end. Since I could use this knot on bigger lines that are likely to be pulled through the guides, the extra bump did not appeal to me.

But, I've been a huge fan of this knot for some time. It is a fabulous knot for attaching mono bite tipped to the leader. The same holds true for attaching bite tippets to mono and mono to gsp on conventional gear.
 
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