Uni knot / Early Study Group- history

Walter & Group.....

Walter Simberski comments on the uni-knot:-

Gordy -

 

In my mind the Uni knot is used to tie a Duncan loop and the Uni Knot is just a variation of the

overhand knot.

 

Another thing that determines the "slippedness" of the Uni Knot is what you are attaching together.

I often use it in place of a nail knot to attach the leader to the fly line. Once the uni is tightened to the

point where it begins to sink into the fly line it is not likely to slip off without stripping the coating

off of the fly line. It makes a slightly larger knot than the nail knot but it requires absolutely no tools

to tie it and it can be tied with cold hands and in poor light.

 

I also use two uni knots in place of a barrel knot. Again - much easier to tie when your hands

are cold.

 

The uni knot may not be as strong as the tippet/leader it is tied in but for trout fishing the weak

point is where the tippet is thinnest - closest to the fly. I tend to use the Duncan loop, a Palomar

knot, or an improved clinch knot at this location,

 

One other thing I've found with the uni knot (and some other knots as well) is that it doesn't

hold as well with flourocarbon materials. It is especially bad for joining monofilament and

flourocarbon.

 

Cheers

 

Walter

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Walter....  

 

Correct. 

 

 I had just come up with these findings for Al Crise on the surgeons knot.  Same findings for the Uni-knot when used to splice or join two lines:

 

1.)  The greater the disparity in line diameters, the weaker the knot.

 

2.)  The greater the difference in stiffness, the weaker the knot.

 

3.)  The greater the difference in materials (nylon / fluorocarbon) the weaker the knot.

 

4.)  These knots tied using fluorocarbon are weaker than those tied in nylon mono.

 

5.)  Even knots tied with different brands of nylon monofilament are usually not quite as strong or reliable as those tied using materials of the same brand.  (Lefty has spent many hours testing these and has come to the same conclusion.  Tom White did a lot of these tests and he agreed with Lefty on this point.)

 

Gordy

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From Al Crise:-

This was dated 8/27/03

   Jim Penrod and I were new to the study group. I thought it might be nice just to say.

THANK YOU       Gordon Hill CBOG

 

Al

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From: Gordon Hill

To: Alan Crise ; Jim Penrod

Sent: Wednesday, August 27, 2003 12:50 PM

Subject: Study group

Hi Alan and Jim....

 

As I think I've told you at one of the conclaves, I formed a casting/teaching study group over a year ago.  It helped me immensely in going for the Master Cert.....and I'd like to think its helping the other men in it.

 

It's super informal....ANYTHING GOES...in the way of casting and teaching ideas. Most of the men are going either for the Masters...a couple for Certification...and three are on the casting board of governors (CBOG'S)

 

When I pass on information, I don't always include the CBOG'S, since they're not trying to pass anything....but if it's something not strictly related on how better to prepare for the exams, I do.

 

In the recent past, I sent a mountain of information as a sort of informal addition to the Master Prep Course syllabus....stuff I, personally, have learned in observing the oral and casting exams and from my having the honor to have spent the entire day attending the CBOG meeting at the Conclave in Idaho......also in interviewing many of the candidates right after they had taken the exams....whether or not they had passed.

 

I'm going to ask each of the men to send a brief "bio" including e-mail addresses and would ask that you each send one to me.....so I can send same to them...nothing fancy.......Maybe just one paragraph....include whatever contact info. you wish , but don't leave out the e-address.

 

In the end I'll be proud to have played some small part in having helped you pass.

 

                                                                        Gordy

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Al .....   Thanks.  You have dug up a little piece of Group history.      

 

We've come a long way .... now 139 members.  Many CBOG's, many MCCI's.   We all continue to learn.

My reward lies in what I learn from all of you !

 

Gordy

 

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One more very good set of answers from Tony Loader:-

 

We've all heard about a thing called, CREEP.     Some questions: -

 

1.) Consult as many fly casting texts as you can and come up with descriptions of, CREEP.  (Give author, title & page(s))

"To allow the rod to move forward (without power) before the unrolling back loop has straightened. This is a serious fault in fly casting" - Bill & Jay Gammell - "The Essentials of Fly Casting" - page 3.

"Slow forward movement of the rod during the Pause Module" - Jason Borger - "Nature of Fly Casting" - page 69

"While the back cast is unrolling, the caster repositions his rod hand forward..." - George V Roberts Jr - "Master the Cast" - page 91

"Another way to lose that needed space is to drift forward between back cast and forward cast instead of drifting backward." - Joan Wulff - "Fly Casting Techniques" - page 74

"Your rod hand comes forward to meet your line hand after the backcast stop. This is called creep and only very advanced casters can get away with it." - Macauley Lord - "The L.L. Bean Ultimate Book of Fly Fishing" - page 214

2.) Give us your description of CREEP. "Adverse reduction of available casting arc by powerless rod movement."

3.) Is CREEP desirable when casting ? No

4.) Undesirable ? Yes

5.) Why ? Introduces unnecessary restrictions e.g distance, trajectory

6.)  Would you ever purposely CREEP when casting ? No  

7.) If you answered YES to question 6.)  tell us when.

8.) Is there ever a time when you would teach your student to creep ? No

9.) As you observe casters who are creeping, can you tell if they are using translation or rotation as they do this ? No

10.) Is there any relationship between CREEP and a TAILING LOOP ? Yes

11.) If you answered YES to 10.), then give us  a description of the casting mechanics involved. Creeping narrows the available casting arc while allowing the tip of the unloaded rod to rise. Subsequent loading, as the line straightens, tends to cause the tip to bend deeply, then rise again at the stop. A concave path is described.

12.)  What is a, "Maloney Cast" ? Don't know but I suspect one Michael C. Maloney MCCI might be involved.

Gordy