How to Tie a Dropper Tag With the Figure of 8 Knot

In this tutorial, I teach you how to tie the Figure of 8 Knot. You can use it for a tippet to tippet knot and also for creating dropper tags in your tippet.
A bit over a year ago our former shop manager Kramer Bookman started testing the Figure of 8 Knot for his dropper tags. He found they were consistently stronger than a Surgeon's Knot. I'm always keen to give a new knot a go so I started testing the Figure of 8 Knot myself. It has now become my go to knot for creating dropper tags in my tippet. The knot is the strongest tippet knot I've used and is very quick and easy to tie as well. It's a win win!

[@scottstubberud1137]

Not trying to be disrespectful but the problem with this knot and the double surgeon’s knot for tags is that they both have the tag coming off at an angle to the main line and the tag wraps around the line easily and doesn’t present the fly out in space the way it can fully. This will cost you fish via too much twisted line close to the fly and distraction to the fish taking the fly. Yes this knot is stronger than the surgeon’s knot but that is only part of the issue. Presentation of the fly is the most important thing. If you are familiar with the Davy knot it is the solution to this issue. It is the smallest knot and it is equal or stronger to the considered strongest knots for attaching lines to flies and line to tippet rings or micro swivels etc, AND they end up exactly perpendicular to the main line for a much better presentation with much less chance of twisting around the central line. There are 3 ways to use this method. 1) tippet ring- use the Davy knot to tie the tippet ring to the end of your line, then use the Davy knot to tie on the tag line and the line to the bottom fly (and Davy knot to each of the flies). (The Davy knot is way easier to tie than the clinch knots and much stronger, and much smaller on the eye of the hook etc) (If tied properly you will never go back to a clinch knot ever!) I fish the San Juan river quality waters an average of 100 days a year and I have landed three 15 plus pound browns on the Davy knot that had I been using a clinch or improved clinch, they would have broken off at the knot for sure! 2) The second and best method for tagging is using a micro swivel in place of the tippet ring in example 1. Tie the main line to the top of the swivel and the tag and line to the bottom fly to the bottom of the swivel. Not only will the tag present at a 90 degree to the main line but it will not twist around the main line (due to the swivel action) and will be presented to the fish downstream and out in space where it is easy to get to without distraction to the fish. If you haven’t tried the micro swivel you are missing out! 3)-third method is if you don’t have a swivel or tippet ring, tie a Davy knot above your existing double surgeon’s knot for the tag and slide it down to the surgeon knot and tighten it up to the main line there. It can be slid up the line but will not go down obviously past the knot. I sometimes (if I don’t have swivel etc) slide the tag up higher on the line for more spacing between my 2 flies but if a fish takes it it will slide down to the knot and set the hook quite well. This distance is never more than 6 inches up otherwise it will take too long to set the hook. Usually I just leave it down on the surgeon knot. Bottom line is I use this method only if I don’t have any swivels (first choice) or tippet rings on my person. Otherwise it is very effective. All of these methods are much superior in my opinion to tags that come off the main line at an angle. Keep in mind that I almost exclusively nymph fish where I am looking to go deep in faster water down into deeper holes where the bigger monster trophy fish are laying in wait for the food to come to them. Low and slow is my motto. Just so you know I am not a pro or guide but I certainly could be a guide if my legs and back weren’t so screwed up, but I am no hack for sure! My mentor and fishing buddy for years was the coach of the Canadian fly fishing team at one time and had 7 fishing world records to his name. I just shut up and listened to him if he ever talked fishing. I learned all I could from him and I know personally most of the guides (worth a darn) on the San Juan and they would attest to the fact that I can hang with the best of them! This video struck a chord with me and felt compelled to offer an alternative to what was presented here. I mean no disrespect to the person who did it, just wanted to give people an interesting perspective and alternative. Hopefully it helps someone. Take care and thanks for this video with the purpose of helping individuals with valid problem resolution

[@rcvflyfisher]

Wow! Love this knot! It's easy, fast and uncomplicated! I like it much better than tying a triple surgeon's knot! What a discovery! Thanks, Devin!

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Glad it was helpful!

[@StephenLorber-hs4dr]

I always called this the Orvis tippet knot and did it by wrapping the loop around my hemostat twice grabbing the two tags and pulling them through. I like your method better. The hemostat was a pain in the butt.

[@sgdukerable]

Great video. This is my goto dropper knot, but I actually use the tag facing back towards the rod because it loops away from the tippet section going to the anchor fly, helping to reduce tangles and providing more spacing. Thanks for posting this video.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

You might want to watch the follow up video which includes the reasoning behind using the tag facing the point fly. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZO4eYesfceksMUsi=EpmNnsThfO9QHn1y

[@sgdukerable]

@@tacticalflyfisher3817 Thank you. I did not see the follow-up Q & A video. It's well done. Thanks again

[@christopherjoosen4840]

Thanks again for all your educational tips, I’ve been with you since the beginning and have learned a lot….One additional useful tactic I’ve used for a statistically better outcome is making the loop just a little bigger and putting the tips of thumb and forefinger through it while twisting. Then like soft forceps I can pinch the tags quickly and pull them through. Helps me a lot when it’s cold, in low light, etc. rather than trying to jam a thumb into a hole that’s too small.

[@AhmetCakr-BURSOF]

Very nice presentation. In addition, if you tie a simple knot before cutting the bone, you will prevent it from getting caught in the garbage.

[@andrefaranov8013]

Another rainy day here in central PA so going to practice this right now. Just started Euro nymphing a month ago. Thanks for an easy to follow video Also just subscribed!

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Happy fishing!

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Excellent!

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Thanks

[@leemiller2307]

I could be mistaken but i think this is a Seaguar knot not the Orvis Tippet knot. The Orvis Tippet knot, the tippet end loops twice around one of the loop legs. The Seaguar knot is typically used to connect fluorocarbon lines.

[@bretbutterfield1711]

I learned that knot as the Lefty Kreh tippet knot. Been using it for several years. So easy and fast to tie.

[@benfranks6375]

Reporting back. This working for me. Thank you! I see that callus on your middle finger from 16/20. I need to go fishing more, i dont have one yet, still a bit ouchy😂🎏

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Stick with it. Before long you can be your own personal thimble!

[@octavianstan2009]

I guess I'll switch to that one, is soooo simple! Thanks so much? And I guess it can be even simpler using g a forceps carefully, without squeezing the mono.

[@jonhart-dj7fn]

Excellent video very specific detailed short instructional ty kindly

[@driftstone]

I'm glad you found it. It's a killer knot

[@mrasmrguitar]

love it ..agree blood knot double triple surgeon no need,, I been using the orvis knot and this as well for lower tag end dropperwith lighter x tippet from the tag main line stronger x.. very easy to tie strong .. great video demo

[@cs1089]

Great video! I switched to the Orvis tippet knot about 6 months ago after I noticed too many break-offs with a triple surgeons knot. I have a digital scale and tested the surgeons knot on 5x tippet and to my surprise it was breaking at around 50% tippet strength. The Orvis tippet knot is much stronger at about 80% breaking strength. I highly recommend getting a digital scale and testing your knots -- you'll learn a lot. Also I like your way of tying this and will try --- looks much faster than my method.

[@btstrout2761]

Looks great! I'll give it a try.

[@jimfaber5472]

it's a lot easier to tie this knot if you use hemostats. Just replace your finger with the hemostats to wind the loop, then let them slide through to grab the tippet and pull back through the loop. This works even better when using 7x.

[@fudd126]

Awesome tip I can tied a lot quicker than the surgeons. Thanks.👍

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Happy tying and fishing!

[@benfranks6375]

Thanks much. Because of you, i changed to a 16/20 to fly. Its natural now. Im also going to give this a go. Happy New Year to you and yours 🎉🎏

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Happy New Year and happy fishing!

[@jimholland1592]

Nicely done thanks great tip👍

[@robertmichaelmccullough1222]

Insert forceps into the loop to twist it two and a half times around and then grasp the two lines and pull them back through the loop,being careful not to damage them with an overly-strong grip, and using the very end of the forceps jaws where they are not textured.

[@JamesP29]

That's how I do it, I don't close the forceps, kind of just pick up the lines with the bottom and pull/lift it through.

[@user-eb6sb9xi7h]

Good knot, great explanation! I use my hemostats instead of my finger most times, same result. Tight lines and fair winds.

[@randydeskins9359]

Awesome!!! Great tip!!

[@rodc4334]

Very interesting. I have used a figure eight in a pinch on the river when I broke a nail knot and wanted to quickly attach a new leader. It is used all the time in climbing. Never thought to use it this way. Will give it a try!

[@srenroesgaardtang782]

Thank you for posting. I have a completely different way of tying this knot. Great fun to work through the steps of both approaches and figure out how we end up with the exact same result. I have been using it for some time now, and also find it better. When I get super geeky with treating nylons for leaders and they are too soft for a blood knot, this knot does the job and, once again, surpasses the surgeon’s/water knot.

[@lolwutyoutube7561]

So easy. Thank you for sharing

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

I hope it helps you on the water.

[@dougc4052]

Great and easy why to tie a tag, thanks for the video. Cheers.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Thanks for watching. Happy fishing.

[@chasingbrowns]

Thanks TFF! I'll try it this evening.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Happy tying!

[@pakde8002]

Thanks. Not a fly angler but always looking for new ideas. Currently been having fun making sabiki jigs and a new thing going around is trying a fairly large single sabiki about a meter above a metal jig so I was looking for a stronger connection and will give this a try.

[@komando8365]

That’s looks like a super clean knot. I’ll be practicing this one.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Shouldn't take you too long to learn.

[@PeachyFlyFishing]

Thanks Devin, will try this. I haven't had any problems with triple surgeons breaking generally, however I have suspected for a while that certain tippets seem to prefer or behave differently with certain knots, whether they are different brands or materials, or even different diameters within the same brand....... anyway I'll give it a go, thanks for sharing!

[@jeromeartigliere7003]

I have used this knot, but only twist it twice, not three times. It cinches down way cleaner, and I haven’t had any issues breaking off so far.

[@chrissprout4259]

I learned this about 7 or 8 years ago as the Seaguar knot. Super easy and works. Forceps are a great aid.

[@philstevens6934]

Forceps!! What a great idea since I use them to tie a clinch knot as well.

[@scottcarr9057]

Thanks for sharing! You showed this to us last January and I've been trying to remember the knot. Perfect timing!

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

I hope it helps Scott.

[@edhughes1891]

Love it! Wish I knew this the day before yesterday…I had a challenging day with snags and snarls resulting in a few rerigs.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Hopefully it will help.

[@frankotto5734]

I found using a plunger style hackle pliers speeds up the tying process. You have to grab the two strands as distal as possible. Thanks. I look forward to giving this dropper tag a try.

[@kerryjordan7746]

You can also use this knot when you tie on your tippet to the leader; just loop the end of the tippet round and tie the tippet to itself. Cut it so you leave one short length as a dropper and the rest for your point fly.

[@mikelundrigan2285]

Always lubricate your knots to prevent friction which will weaken your line!

[@kingfisher6802]

Excellent thank you!

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

You're welcome. Happy tying.

[@patrickdevine1085]

Figure of 8 is one of the strongest and most versatile knots one can use. It works for fly fishing, climbing, towing. It gets stronger the tighter is gets but in larger ropes and even webbing can still be removed.

[@markusviol200]

It's so interesting how different knots in different fishing styles go completely unnoticed. I have a background in spin fishing and even though the breaking strength of your mainline isn't an issue most of the time, there was much more focus on it than in fly fishing where speed and simplicity seemed to be much more important. So i felt a bit weird when using figure-8 knots, uni and palomar knots instead of the common knots in fly fishing. Thanks devin!

[@MarcTelesha]

It really is saving the tippet and using knots that don't use as much line. For example. The palmer knot is simple and strong but you use a lot of extra line to tie that knot.

[@michealmedrano308]

Thanks for this gonna practice and try it out

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Good luck! I doubt it will take you too long. It's pretty easy once your get a few reps in.

[@terrencedoeberl1151]

This looks like an effective knot that's super simple and quick. My one question/concern is that since the dropper is on the leader line, every time you need to change that fly, you're cutting the leader shorter. Any concerns?

[@rromeis520]

I also had issues with droppers breaking at the surgeon knot.. I like this kno video but, you should include some text about how big that upright loop needs to be in order to get one's finger and thumb in the loop...

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

The size of that will differ depending on your own fingers and dexterity. I only have my own experience to go on and I guess I figure that's a step each person can sort out for themself.

[@sputnick66]

Thanks for that, I'll give it a try. Wanted to ask you about Slovakia fishing. I'll be visiting Slovakia in late summer and wanted to know what you thought f fly fishing there? Any recommendations on guides? Thanks.

[@michaeldubartell8991]

Great knot tying video. I will use it this weekend. I can see why it would be stronger than a traditional surgeon’s knot. Also, love that nipper you used! Do you sell those?

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Yes. It's the tactical fly fisher nipper multitool We have them in the shop.

[@davidbilbrough3726]

If you want to put a dropper on a long leaderdo the same thing with the loop BUT

[@tomdickson4460]

Thank you

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Happy fishing

[@justaguy111]

This is also referred to as a Seagaur knot. A half hitch tied to the dropper will coax it to position at a 90 degree angle.

[@joeborgione5477]

I’m a firm believer that any time you add a figure 8 to a knot, you’re doing yourself a favor. Just look at the Davey knot. I need to try your twisting method.

[@gregb8824]

Davy=good, double Davy=great!

[@cs1089]

@@gregb8824 That is true! Double Davy is a very strong knot!

[@norm3792]

Great video on figure 8 knot! I find that you can make the loop as large as you want to fit big fingers through the loop, as your tip on holding the loop tight with your left hand and pulling the knot tight with your right hand both closes the loop and reduces the length of tippet end you are cutting. So you are also not wasting tippet material. Terrific hint! BTW, how long do you leave your dropper tag? I find that more than 4-5 inches gets me into difficulty with wrapping around the tippet at times. Any thoughts or advice. Norm

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

I normally start with about 6-7 inches on my tag but I also change flies fairly often.

[@juddthalman1422]

Thoughts on using this to just add tippet say for a dry fly. Obviously keeping the tags shorter and trimming both. Looks much easier than a triple surgeons. Thanks for the tutorial! Thoughts?

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Yes it's just a tippet knot so you can use it to join tippet whether you make a dropper tag or not.

[@snakeoiler2921]

I'm going to try this knot. What kind of lengths are you recommending on the dropper post vs to your point fly( fly on the tippet)

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

I normally start with a 6-7" dropper tag

[@philstevens6934]

Heading to NC next month to hunt for large trout. Will definitely use this method. By the way. Where did you get that nipper?

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

We sell them in our shop.

[@aaronabeyta3530]

Any comment or experience with a double Uni as the dropper tag? Thanks for this tutorial.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

I haven't used a double uni for a dropper tag myself. You can certainly try it and see for yourself though.

[@keithelliot3772]

I prefer this knot and use the tag as a dropper, its quicker and easier than a Surgeons knot. If you cut both tags off would that be a way to quickly join a broken leader? Tight lines 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

It's just another tippet to tippet knot so you can definitely use it without the dropper tags.

[@rayray8212]

Great knot. Is it equally strong with all types of leader material?

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

I haven't joined nylon to fluoro with it but it works fine when joining nylon to nylon or fluoro to fluoro.

[@williamklein6749]

Easiest if you use forceps to twist the knot and grab the ends.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Maybe so but you'll need to make sure you don't deform the tippet with the jaws of the forceps. I can see that being an issue in fine tippet.

[@Toddcm]

Thanks Devin. Any chance this knot will also prevent the dropper from wrapping around the tippet going to the anchor fly?

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

The figure 8 knot probably won't change the amount of twist you get compared to another knot I get a lot of questions about dropper tag twisting. I don't find it much of an issue myself but there are a lot of variables that can lead to it such has fly design, casting technique, swinging at the end of the drift, leader and tippet configuration, hook shape, etc.

[@Toddcm]

@@tacticalflyfisher3817 Thanks Devin. Perhaps my casting or fishing technique is a bit off. Maybe you could address dropper twisting in a future video.

[@edhughes1891]

Devin, while on the subject of figure 8’s…if you need a stopper to hold split shot and don’t have a handy tag knot to keep it from slipping, did I see you say somewhere that a simple figure 8 in a single piece of leader or tippet can do this without weakening the line (too much)? I know an overhand knot is a no-no for this. Thx!

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

I didn't say that personally but you could certainly use this knot for that purpose.

[@2thslpr166]

Do you put a small overhand on the tag to get the tag fly to stick out 90 degrees from the leader? I find the dropper wraps around the leader if it doesn’t have some separation from the line.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

I get a lot of questions about dropper tag twisting. I don't find it much of an issue myself but there are a lot of variables that can lead to it such has fly design, casting technique, swinging at the end of the drift, leader and tippet configuration, hook shape, etc. I definitely don't put an overhand knot in the tag. It is markedly weaker in my experience but I also and typically fishing 6x or 7x tippet where any weakness shows quickly. I check the tag every once in a while. If it is only wrapped a few times I don't worry about it.

[@2thslpr166]

Ok thanks I’ll try it. I’ve been using a blood knot because the tags come out at 90 degrees. But it seems to break regularly and take everything with it.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

@@2thslpr166 Blood knots are terrible for dropper tags. If you put pressure on the tag it folds the knot in half and shears it apart.

[@2thslpr166]

Blood knot is 2023. Figure 8 is 2024. Thanks!

[@mikemaynard2044]

While there is some similarity, I disagree that this is the same as the Orvis tippet knot. They are much different. Also, wouldn't you prefer to have an "up" tag versus a "down" tag? The up tag helps to keep the dropper away from the main line. My opinion is you cut the wrong side of the tag. Anyway, I have learned a lot from you friend...thanks for the content

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

The up tag is drastically weaker. It will slice through the knot when pressure is applied.

[@mikemaynard2044]

I would like to test that on a correctly tied Orvis Tippet knot, do not think thats the case @@tacticalflyfisher3817

[@shanehoran9087]

Great video! Once your tag end becomes too short (say a number of nymph changes) how do you like to go about adding a new tag?

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

At least when I'm fishing a micro leader Euro nymph leader, I tend to start with very long tippet and add a Sakura sighter to the tippet. I can usually make a dropper tag once or twice by just replicating this knot before I need to replace the whole section of tippet again. By the time I need to replace the whole tippet section there is often abrasion or other issues anyway.

[@shanehoran9087]

Appreciate the reply. Yeah I was thinking if the tag became too short you could cut it off leaving you with a long tippet section made up of the two original sections of line and tie in the knot where you want your new tag end to be. Doing it this way would make you use the line you are adding as short tag, opposed to making the tag section from the end of the already existing tippet coming from the end of the rod if that makes sense. One would waste less tippet material this was assuming the knot would hold just as well. I’m guessing this way should be just as strong.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

@@shanehoran9087 I'm not sure that I agree. The more knots you use, the more interruptions to stretch you'll have. Long sections of tippet with uninterrupted stretch are important to the overall strength of your rig and the more knots you use the more weak points you will have. The Figure 8 Knot is the strongest tippet knot I've used, but it is still an interruption to stretch and a point of weakness compared to uninterrupted tippet. If I'm understanding what you describe, you'll end up having multiple tippet knots in close proximity and I don't think it will be as strong as if you just retie the full tippet part of the rig.

[@shanehoran9087]

I see what you’re saying. Makes sense. I’ll definitely try it the way you explained and keep knots to a minimum. I’m always looking to for ways to cut down on the amount of tippet I’m using however that may come at a price like you mention.

[@richardferrara86]

Sweeeet!!!

[@user-bg2lo4cn9t]

When you are beginning to form the loop, do you pass the material's working end (your Right Hand) in front of or behind the material's standing end (your Left Hand). I am having trouble seeing this positioning.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

It goes behind. That sets up the initial turn of tippet with the first twist of the fingers.

[@jwkromka]

How does this compare to using a blood knot? I like how the blood knot keeps my dropper out away from the main line. Thanks!

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Blood knots might keep your dropper away from the main line but they are exceptionally weak for dropper tags. When pressure is put on the tag, it folds the knot in half and pulls it apart.

[@inthemomentflyfishing1394]

But after the first initial tie..Say the yellow breaks off after use and gets too short? What knot are you using to attach another piece of tippet ? And when you do tie on another piece are you tying it right above the knot that's left? If so do you think having a built up knot so close to the flies that it may scare fish? Apreciate everything you do.Thank you in advance

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

I simply retie with the same knot and create the tag again. I've tried lots of shortcuts and they end up failing.

[@inthemomentflyfishing1394]

@tacticalflyfisher3817 So The leftover knot from the first one you just leave it and tue right above it?

[@DarryLavid7227]

Is he using this dropper tag for tying split shot unweighted nymphs like Bottom bouncing or dry dropper tag ?

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

I use it for creating dropper tags with any rig where I might want to do so.

[@joemarlow5209]

Sorry for such a basic question. What is a dropper tag? Word Dropper suggests somethings on the surface. If so, I usually tie a clinch on the dry hook and the point goes on the other end of this piece of tippet. Learning alot here!

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

It’s a way of attaching a fly to the tag on the leader. That way the fly can hinge and move freely and the fish also has access to the hook without tippet blocking the bend when you tie to it.

[@joemarlow5209]

@@tacticalflyfisher3817 Still not clear on this. Is there a vid that may show the complete setup? Do you mean tie a dry on leader leaving long tag then fig 8 some distance down on same tag and heaviest point nymph on end of same tag? Thanks.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

@@joemarlow5209 Our modern nymphing masterclass series at modernnymphingmasterclass.com has diagrams. I also have them in my book Tactical Fly Fishing. These two videos from our channel also have formulas for micro Euro nymphing leaders that show the dropper tag and where you attach flies. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aanPfZWkq9OmnMU kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYXGe5aGgt51oc0

[@joemarlow5209]

@@tacticalflyfisher3817 Perfect. Thanks a bunch!

[@markgunnell2149]

Which brand and model of nippers are you using? I like that style. Thanks

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Mark, We have them in our shop. tacticalflyfisher.com/products/tactical-fly-fisher-nipper-multitool?_pos=4&_sid=3a90e647d&_ss=r

[@gregb8824]

Could a guy leave the upper yellow tippet section long and use that as the tag end for the top nymph? If that was done the upper nymph would dangle further away from the main leader.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

I explained the issue with that in the video. If you do it that way the tag is pulled down through the knot when you hook a fish. It is drastically less strong. Many people have had this same issue with other knots as well. If your dropper tag isn't parallel to the rest of the leader it will end up cutting through the knot when pressure is applied.

[@gregb8824]

@@tacticalflyfisher3817 thanks for the heads up.

[@saurfarming3772]

Cool. I don't understand why adding the dropper tag, or adding the longer tippet piece would matter.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

It’s for an additional fly. I have a followup video answering your comment/question and lots of others coming up this Wednesday or Thursday.

[@saurfarming3772]

@@tacticalflyfisher3817 I get what a dropper is, but you had mentioned adding the longer piece for the point fly and keeping the 'through piece' for the dropper. Can't imagine why that would matter, both ends are getting tied to flies and will have tension on them when a fish is on.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

@@saurfarming3772 stay tuned for the next video. I go through it in detail.

[@kevinrobertson2037]

Have you tried this dropper on your tippet line for euro nymphing with a couple of beaded nymphs?

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Uhh, that's pretty much what I'm doing much of the time if you've watched any of the rest of our videos.

[@kevinrobertson2037]

@@tacticalflyfisher3817 🤣🤣🤣 sorry dude I've watched to many fishing videos can't remember what's who's sometimes

[@stevefox7469]

Has anyone tested the strength of this figure of 8 knot against just using a tippet ring to hang the dropper off (using say, a standard clinch knot)? I have always had inconsistent results with double and triple surgeons knots, so I moved to using a tippet ring. One of the advantages of a tippet ring is that it is super easy to replace the dropper when it gets too short. Any other advantages of using a figure of 8 over a tippet ring?

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

I know it's nitpicky but there is a lot more surface area with a tippet ring and three knots. It might not seem like much but that increased surface area will catch more water and lead to slower sink rates and the possibility for micro drag.

[@stevefox7469]

Thanks for the reply. Fair point, will give the figure 8 knot a go. Thanks again for the great videos!

[@tl56kmair]

Where are you located? I noticed you have an 801 prefix number, and some of those rivers look a little Utahish.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

We used to be in Springville. I moved the shop to WY a couple of years ago.

[@tl56kmair]

@@tacticalflyfisher3817 I can't blame you there. Aside from the constant wind I quite like Wyoming. We used to hunt geese in Wyoming, out in wheatland.

[@edhughes1891]

Sorry, one more question: what’s the difference if you use the existing line for the tag or the tied on tippet? Presumably you’re going to tie the point fly on one of the line ends facing downward. You pointed out that it was important to use the existing line tag for your dropper. I’d deduce the added line end will have to hold the point fly? This throws me for a loop, pun intended.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

If you create a tag with the tippet you are adding it will face up the leader. When you hook a fish on that tag it will then pull in the opposite direction and split the knot apart. If you do it the way I do in the video, the tag is parallel to the leader and won't cause the same issue.

[@edhughes1891]

@@tacticalflyfisher3817 I understand that concept, your video seemed to imply (to me) that you HAD to use the main line for the dropper, I don’t recall it being in reference to not using the upper tag, and no mention that it could be dropper or point, presuming you weren’t using a lighter tippet for the dropper. In the end, either downward facing line can be used for dropper OR point fly, correct? That’s the gist of my question.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

@@edhughes1891 the idea is that both of the downward facing pieces of tippet will be used. The longer one is for the point fly and the shorter one (dropper tag) is for the dropper fly.

[@edhughes1891]

Thank you, just wanted to clarify, as the way I heard it just referenced the one line, with the emphasis. Probably just me. Love your vids.

[@davidduncan6811]

Hi Devin. Nifty nipper. Don't think we see that in UK. Can you provide detail?

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

We sell it at this link tacticalflyfisher.com/products/tactical-fly-fisher-nipper-multitool?_pos=4&_sid=08e9d89ca&_ss=r

[@scottconradson8310]

A figure 8 knot is commonly used in climbing with dynamic ( stretchy ) rope to form a loop. Has anybody tried it to replace a double surgeons knot?

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

I’m replacing the surgeons with this knot.

[@michaelh3994]

What knot was he doing before??????

[@benjaminogdon3808]

Daiwa Sokkou Knot Tool

[@fightthelies4349]

Whelp, now i have to go fishing tomorrow and give this a try!!! Oh, no. What a bummer.../s

[@kapenamika985]

I bet you can tie this with forceps!

[@johnwermers2234]

Yep, that’s what I do. Hemo surgeon’s knot is what I’ve called it.

[@chillipphi]

How is this different than the Seaguar knot? Is it just that this is two twists and Seaguar is 3?

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

So far I've come across three names for this knot. I haven't heard of the Seaguar knot before but it's possible it is the same.

[@dylanagli1577]

It seems like when you tie it you rotated 3 times, does anyone else see that? Curious if that is true?

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

In the video it looks like 2.5 turns but if you look at the junction where the tippet actually starts to cross, it doesn't start to cross until about halfway through the first turn. So there ends up being two turns. Three would still be fine though. The same knot with 3 turns is referred to as the Seaguar knot and it has a good reputation as well.

[@stevelithgow8693]

LOL why's it gotta take a year for this :) :) dang it ! The trip surgeon is fine for smaller fish... but larger fish on fine tippet. UGH! ..... anyway... THANK YOU !

[@Thespanglerangler]

What I do to prevent breakage at the dropper knot is to not catch big fish.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Ha! This knot will help as well...

[@mikelundrigan2285]

You forgot to tell us to always lube the knot before tightening! Otherwise good video!