Davy Knot (for tippet to fly)

[Donald Schmotzer]

 I don't know which knot you fly-fisherman like to use for tying the tippet to your fly, I used to use an improved clinch knot but find I like the "DAVY" knot much better. ( I have had clinch knots come untied with a fish on the line ) The Davy is simpler to tie, has very little bulk and is as strong as any knot I have tried. Best of all, it is easier and quicker to tie than a clinch knot. I splice my tippet to leader with a surgeon's knot and fly-line to backing with an Albright knot.

But for tying the tippet to a fly, give the Davy knot a try. If you don't know how to tie the "DAVY", go to YouTube and search Davy Knot....there are a lot of videos to show you how this knot is tied..... Good Luck and let me know what you think...............Don

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

I've never figured it out. I've fiddled with the Davy Knot, but how something that easy can make my head hurt is beyond me.
I end up going back to my old standby, the Improved Clinch - but I don't draw it tight.
I leave a small, loose loop at the eye. This lets the fly/ hook swing freely for maximum lure action, yet it slips-to-tight as a "shock loop" should a heavy strike occur.
Most of the time, it never budges.
But, I'll try anything TWICE, and more if I like it. I'll give the Davy another look.

[dick tabbert]

Thanks Don I don't have a clue what knot I use but what ever it is it's probably not a knot to use for a fly line in anyway shape or form. I have much to learn my friend.

[carl hendrix]

I will have to look that one up don-- thanks!!  but if you guys want to have some knot tying fun-- go to --- knot wars!!  every week they test a knot of different types-- on different  lines.  stretch them till they break.  and they show you how to tie it!!   ever hear of one called a -- san franisco jam??  its  not hard to tie;; but STRONG!!   it beat a palmer knot!!

[dick tabbert]

I see Bass Pro will be having Cortland fly line on sale for 14.97 assorted sizes.  I don't know it that's a good line or not.

[jim cosgrove]

thats a great deal.all my christmas gift cards are for cabela's.it figures

[jim cosgrove]

cortland line is good stuff.i have 1 set up with real high end line and yeah its great.i got it cause cabela's ran out of the standard stuff and it was a complete set up with rod reel and line.i would not pay 60.00 for fly line.cortland makes a good mono also.about the only stuff i use.cortland camo line.it goes from light green/brown to dark every few feet and it is cheaper than most lines.it handles well and i've had no problems with it.i think the 4 lb has 1000 yds on the spool.i change mono often

[Jeff Madre]

I've also had clinch knots come loose with Bluegills on the line.  I switched to the Uni knot and haven't had an issue.  I'll have to look at the Davy knot video.  It sounds interesting.

[Richard Allen Rupp]

I was listening to a lefty kreh podcast and he recommended the decker knot, Orvis has since renamed it, 'the Orvis knot' but it has replaced my love affair with the palomar knot. I still won't give up loop knots though they are just better for streamers, nymphs and some poppers

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Carl makes a great point - there is a lot of scientific study in knots.
I know the competition fly anglers* out West have used the Davy knot, mostly because it is quick to tie.
It's actual breaking strength is about the same as most common knots, though.
*Does competition spoil the best of what fishing offers?

The problem is when the knots get wet. This makes them slip, bind, and or swell. Neither of the two most common polymers, monofilament and fluorocarbon are immune. Mono absorbs water, affecting its integrity. Fluorocarb is less flexible and tends towards slippage. This means the 100% knot exists only in the mind of those who choose to believe it is possible.

How about my favorite, the Improved Clinch? It comes in around 80% percent full line strength. Uni-knots do a little better. The best are those with a doubled eye loop, like the Trilene. It's over 90%. I've seen wild claims that the Davy knot is a 100% knot - and I have yet to find proof. I doubt that proof will appear. It is fast to tie and most evidence I've seen so far suggests its in the 90% breaking strength range. For a binding, cinch style knot that's about as good as it gets.*
*I saw one tester that tied his knots in WET MONO and found the single loop Davy POOR CHOICE next to the Improved Clinch. However, his Double Davy appeared to be near 100%.

Most breaking tests are based on an anchored set up, where the subject knot feels the full force exerted upon it. But, the rods and lines we use acting together behave like huge shock absorbing systems. The knots we tie rarely feel the the full stress exerted within this dynamic system while a fish is on. This could be why I cannot recall a break in my Imp. Clinch knots in all the years I've tied them. Personally, I'm of the belief that modern materials with sound knots are rarely the reason for lost fish.

My one caveat with the Davy knot is it has no free loop at the eye. This means free movement if the fly or lure (where desirable) is restricted.