FLORIDA KEYS AND KEY WEST TARPON LEADER KNOTS - The Evolution Continues

To tie the "Slim Beauty", start by tying a double overhand in one end of the shock tippet. Draw the double overhand down until it forms a figure 8.

As you look at the figure 8 that you have created you will notice that it has a curve to it. We want the figure 8 to be curved so that the dish shaped curve slopes away from the sky or an easy way to remember might be so that the curve would hold water, like a bowl.

CORRECT	INCORRECT

Start by tying what I refer to as a “rock climber’s figure 8” in the shock tippet.  (Note: this is a DIFFERENT figure 8 than either the Slim Beauty or the Steve Huff Double Figure 8). 

Double over 3 feet of the class tippet.  While holding both strands, begin making twists with your wrist until you have created 20-30 twists.  Place the loop on a cup hook or other type of hook.  Take the tag end and place it in your mouthand move to a 90 degree position to the line.  Gently open the loop while tilting your head towards the loop.  As you release pressure on the tag end, the tag will begin to roll back over itself.  Allow it to fully roll back to the loop.  Make a half hitch over one of the “legs” of the loop.  Make a half hitch over both legs.  Make 4 half hitches over both legs followed by a 3 turn clinch knot.

To attach the fly, I like to use a loop knot to increase the action of the fly and allow it to sink a little faster. A loop knot with 100% strength is advantageous so that the guide can grab the shock tippet when a fish is close to the boat without loosing the fly. Getting the fly back from a tarpon is rewarding and a 100% knot at the fly allows the person landing the fish to have more control over the fish at the boat without breaking the shock tippet. Other loop knots have been tried with mixed success. The Duncan loop is a good loop knot but after a fish was caught, the knot cinches down. The Duncan Loop is also a 70% knot and often breaks while trying to control a big tarpon at the boat. The "non-slip mono loop" is a great knot for smaller diameter monofilament but it does not pull very straight. I finally settled on "Steve Huff's Double Figure 8 Loop Knot" that I saw in Trey Combs book, Blue Water Flyfishing. This knot tests 100% and pulls straight as an arrow.