My Love of Knot Tying

In recent months, I have been able to implement my love of knot tying into the 4-H Youth Development program. In the next upcoming weeks I am offering a knot tying class that is completely booked; and I have had great success and satisfaction in teaching kindergarten children how to tie their shoes.

My knot tying began when I was a boy, and my dad taught me how to tie knots on our sailboat.  Later, I perfected those skills as a Boy Scout. A few years before he passed away, he gave me his well-used Ashley Book of Knots, by Clifford W. Ashley, which is the world standard for knot tyers everywhere. Recently I found this poem which warmed my soul.

Ode to Rope
As I cast off for that very first time,
The “rope” in my hand has now become “line”.
And hauling the sails to the top of the mast,
That “rope”, now a “halyard” holds strong, taught and fast.
Then sailing in brisk winds full force on a beat.
The sails are trimmed in by that “rope” that’s a “sheet”.
And now at my anchorage with sails safely stowed,
I trust in that “rope” that now serves as a “rode”.
Through all my life I will never lose hope,
Of a reason or time to play with a rope.

By Lt/C Barry Briggs, S, of the Durham, NC Power Squadron, published in the August 1999 edition of the National Power Squadron magazine, The Ensign.

gus

Rope

What is it I love about rope?

You can tie it, bend it, mold it and format potters clay.  If you mess it up, it straightens out, over and over again for another day.

It's useful, decorative, conforms to my imagination and will.  When I'm done with it, I just put it down, and it waits for me so still to play another day.

Sadly, I'm afraid rope has other uses; like over the limb of a hangman's bough.  But proudly it does its job, serving its purpose, forever neutral to the user's intentions.

For me it will always be a useful, creative and trustworthy friend, that does its best to serve my needs.  Thanks rope!

- Gus Koerner, 01/22/14, 2:00am

The Beauty of the Portuguese Sinnet

For a few extra Christmas dollars I'm making bracelets out of parachute cord and selling them for $5.  They go by the names Paracord, Survival, Cobra Stick and rope bracelets.  The reason for survival bracelet, is when it is disassembled, a large one may have as much as 10 feet of cord you can use. You know I never ever make too much money at these kinds of things, because I teach people how to do it!  That's okay though.

Photo from Knots by Grog

I learned this knot a few years ago from ITS Tactical  (he does some really beautiful stuff) but today I'd like to especially highlight Animated Knots by Grog.

 Search for Cobra Knot or click here.  A great webpage with some neat links and animations.  Also checkout some of the phone apps they highlight.  The reason I'm partial today to Grog, is that he is quick to reference the source of all sources, the Knotter's Bible and my favorite book, The Ashley Book of Knots, written in 1944.  This book is worth a write-up all of its own.  My dad gave me a copy of this $50+ gem when I was 14 and I've loved tying ever since.

Here's another great source, that shows step-by-step how to make a bracelet.  Great job Wilderness Wiki contributors!  So for fun, money or carrying on the tradition of knot tying with your children, grab some rope and learn a new knot!  If you want parachute cord, check out your local Army/Navy store first or google it.  I happen to love the Supply Captain.

Outdoors in the classroom!

For the past three weeks I have been substitute teaching in the art classroom at Astronaut High School, and have been having so much fun! NOT being an art teacher has been the greatest challenge. I was trained in education yes, but Agriculture and Natural Resources, not Art. So what do you do in that situation? A good teacher improvises and goes with existing plans and curriculum as much as possible. The lessons cannot just be about anything, they must tie in to what the students already know, and then built upon that.

One of the first things I taught the 9th and 10th graders is to appreciate other, less obvious or popular forms of art. We discussed outdoor topics, and I led the kids into knot tying. We watched the movie Master and Commander, and I led in from there. Tying knots has been part of our culture for the last 5000 years or so, but knot (lol) so much in our modern, urban situations.

I brought in some rope, and we learned a few knots like the overhand and figure-eight and then gave a sketching assignment. The one in this story was done by one of my best female students named Chase, but there were many that were just fantastic! I'll scan a few more and try to include them. After the sketching, my 3-D art class learned to make para-cord bracelets which are very popular among the outdoor kids now. For a great website that teaches the para-cord bracelet, be sure to visit ITS Tactical, and their SkillCom/Knot section.

Fishing Knots...Part 5 of 6, The Blood Knot

The blood knot is a knot used for attaching two pieces of monofilament together, primarily for rebuilding tapered leaders. This is an extremely strong knot when formed properly and should be tied with monofilament close in diameter. Best use is for monofilament 10 lbs. and up.

Step 1. Lay both sections of monofilament across one another. Wrap one section 5-6 times around the other bringing the end back down through the loop formed by both.

Step 2. Wrap the other line 5-6 times around the remaining portion of the first line and pass it's free end up through the formed loop. (See illustration 2)

Step 3. Moisten the knot with your mouth, and while holding the long ends pull the knot tight. Clip the short ends close and the knot is complete.

Many thanks to The Fly Fishing Connection for their great resources!

Fishing Knots...Part 4 of 6, The Nail Knot

Step 1. Place a nail between the fly line and leader. Wrap the leader back towards the end of your fly line about 6 times.

Nail Knot (Leader to Fly Line)

The Nail knot is one of the most important knots that every fly fisherman should learn. There are a few variations in the way this knot is tied. The angler can use a tube or a needle in replacement of the nail. With a little practice, this knot can be tied very quickly. Most common area for use is attaching the leader to the fly line. It can also be used to attach the fly line to the backing.

Step 2. Pass the end of your leader back through the loops you just made. After the leader is through, pull on both ends of the fly line and leader trying not to have the loops cross each other. Holding with fingers, remove nail.

Step 3. Moisten and snug down by pulling both ends away from each other. Clip excess line and leader close to the formed knot.

Fishing Knots...Part 3 of 6, The Albright Knot

The Albright knot is used in situations where you need to join two lines of greatly unequal diameter or of different material. Mostly used in saltwater situations, I prefer this knot for joining of fly line to backing material.

Step 1. Loop the heavier line (wider diameter) and place it between your thumb and index finger of your left hand. Pass the lighter line through the formed loop leaving yourself about 8 inches. Pinch the lighter line in with the line already in your left hand.

Step 2. Make approximately 10 wraps with the lighter line wrapping away from you and working from left to right. With each wrap, work your thumb and index finger along holding these wraps in place, trying not to let up any pressure on your left hand. On the 10th wrap, come around and then through the remaining loop. Taking the standing line in your right hand, and pull gently as you push the wraps with your left hand towards the closed loop.  Alternate between the end of the lighter line, and on the standing part until the wraps are against the tag end. Make sure the wraps do not go over each other and that you don't push them to far. Pull the tag tight then pull on the standing part of both lines until the knot is secure.

Step 3. Finally, clip the two short pieces close to the knot.

Share The Sport

Mr. Gus teaching Josh how to tie an Improved Clinch Knot.

This is a topic that I write and speak frequently about, sharing the sports and crafts we love with the younger generation.  Be it fishing, shooting, sewing or what ever, many of these skills are being lost as the years go on.  My daughter is a kindergarten teacher and she did an classroom poll of how many of them knew how to tie their shoes.  I think the number was about 5 out of 25 or 20 percent of the students.  Looking down at their feet, you could see a host of slip on or hook and loop type fasteners.

A rewarding moment came to me today during our first fly fishing clinic.  We had already learned the fundamentals of fly casting and tying a fly, and now it was time to attach the fly to the leader and get some fish!  Near the lake front I was helping Josh get things going, and asked him if he knew how to tie a knot, and he said no.  "What about your shoes?", I asked.  Another no.  At the time, he was wearing Velcro (Registered Trademark) fasteners, and he said he didn't have any other kind of shoes, nor had he ever.  Well he successfully learned how to tie his fly to the leader and was able to go wet his hook.  He went away with a little more knowledge, and I left with a great sense of satisfaction knowing I had taught a kid to tie his first knot - of many more I hope!

Fishing Knots...Part 2 of 6, Improved Clinch Knot

Fishing Knots All Kids Need To Know... If you had to pick one, and only one knot to learn or teach to a rookie, this is the one. It is much more reliable than its little brother, the Clinch Knot.  The Improved Clinch knot is used for fastening a hook, swivel, or clip to a fishing string or the leader to the fly. If you are using over 12 Lb. test line, this is not a recommended knot.

Step 1. Thread your leader tippet through the eye of the hook. Wrap the end of the leader around the standing line 5 times for lines up to 8lb test and 4 times for lines from 8-12lb test. (You can also turn the hook 5 or 4 times)

Step 2. Take the tag end of the leader and pass it through the gap between the eye of the hook and the first wrap. Continue the tag end back up through the main loop just formed.

Step 3. Moisten the knot with your mouth, and while holding the hook in your left-hand pull on the standing leader allowing the knot to seat tightly against the hook. Clip the excess line.

Fishing Knots All Kids Need To Know - Part 1 of 6

Knot tying is one of the great skills every person, not just every kid should know!  In 4-H, knot tying would not be considered a life skill, because we learn that true life skills, are skills that carry over in to multiple areas of our life.  But tying  represents a greater ability to utilize raw materials (such as rope or twine) to fashion it together to perform a useful service (hold something together).  So instead of knot tying being the life skill, it is actually a sub-skill of being self-sufficient or self-relient.  Got it?

I think my first knot was learning to tie my shoes when I was just a wee lad.  Later on in life I realized it was a skill that set me apart from my buddies when it came to making neat things such as slingshots, tree swings and bridges to cross the creek without getting my shoes wet.  Two of the best books out there on knot tying include The Ashley Book of Knots, by Clifford W. Ashley, 1944, ISBN-10: 0385040253, and the Little Red Knot Book, by Harry Nilsson, 1995, ISBN-10: 0969873409.  As far as I'm concerned a person needs no other knot books than these two, to get 99 percent of all things accomplished with rope string or twine.  With the permission of Mr. Nilsson, I have obtained the right to reprint some of his images for this non-profit use of educating the public.  I won't be featuring all of his knots in this series, but just a few to get the average angler started.  Go get your self some 1/8 inch densely woven cord and try your hand at some of them.