If you like fishing two- or even three-nymph rigs, you know that one of the problems is the dropper line can tangle around the main line. George Daniel has a very simple solution for adding a dropper line that comes off the main line at a 90-degree angle, thus reducing tangles. And he accomplishes this with a simple clinch knot, which slides down on a surgeon’s knot. These are super-easy to tie, and I think you’ll see the benefits of this system immediately.
George Daniel operates Livin On The Fly, a guide service in State College, Pennsylvania. He is also the author of Strip-Set: Fly-Fishing Techniques, Tactics, & Patterns for Streamers, as well as Dynamic Nymphing.
That’ll work, thanks
Simple and well done.
Thanks for the tutorial. I will try this technique.
Thank you, George, helpful.
Joe
A practical alternative to tying a whole new tag system. Thanks for sharing George!
Very effective for guiding! Saves time on your clients fishing and catching !!
Instead of doing the surgeon’s knot for the “first” dropper, and then using the stop knot created by that to anchor the subsequent droppers, could you just tie an overhand knot in the “main” line tippet and tie the clinch know off against the overhand knot?
I was wondering the same thing Liam.
Tying an overhand knot iin the tippet would be similar to getting a wind knot there. It tends to create a weak point. It may never be a factor or at a critical juncture, it may rear it’s ugly, weak head. 🙂
FWIW, the cinch and clinch knots are not the same.
For instance, Cinch knot…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYU-lgJti2A
An overhand knot cuts into itself really badly. Much better to use a figure 8 knot, and yes the figure 8 holds up quite well and works well as a stopper knot.
Did he just tie the knot around the bend in the hook instead of through the eye? I waste a lot o time trying to get the tippet though the eye .
Thanks George, I have learned a ton from your books and videos. Keep them coming.
George,
Where do you add weight to this rig if you’re fishing a double nymph set up? Would you add it above the tag or at the bottom of the leader and run two tags for your flies?
Thanks!
Adam
would a half hitch of the dropper section, done above the dropper knot also create a similar 90 degree affect to the clinch knot?
Where do you add weight? At the bottom of the rig below the flys?