knottable wire: is it just me, or...?

[corsican dave]

is it nowhere near as easy as the hype suggests? i have been experimenting with some tiny plugs (2cm-ish) and amusing myself with some ferocious jack pike in a local ("fishless" :roll:) pond.

using a traditional style trace meant that the plugs sank. so i thought it was about time i tried some of this knottable wire on the market ( i think Scotty9 tried it for pike fly traces?). after a bit of research, i came up with "knot 2 kinky", which is a titanium wire, very thin. not 2 cheap, either...

its also a b*%$@#&! to knot. it's very resistant to being bent, virtually friction free and is incredibly sharp! i tried using the illustrations on the pack but have eventually resorted to using a standard 4 turn tucked half blood knot and using a pair of pliers to try and get it anywhere near tight. this is definitely not what's recommended by the manufacturers, but at least it works. sort of...  even with the pliers it's difficult to keep hold of.

am i missing something here? what does anyone else use? i certainly wouldn't want to be making up a new trace with cold fingers at the waterside! :?

[Fishtales]

A mate of mine uses wire that can be tied in a knot but I have lost the names of them

This might be it.

http://www.pikeflyrod.com/509-authanic-wire-pike-trace-wire.html

[Traditionalist]

Use crimps;

http://www.harrissportsmail.com/Categories.aspx?CategoryID=2284

the standard tinned copper cable crimp sleeves found at any electrical supplier work well for wire pike traces and are nice and cheap. You can use ordinary pliers to crimp them.

They look like this;

http://www.tecni-cable.co.uk/Tecni-Cable-Crimp-Tool-for-Double-Copper-Ferrules-115-007-023

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10pcs-crimp-sleeve-ferrule-tube-pipe-LMR240-cable-connector-/150929959639?_trksid=p2045573.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D27%26meid%3D3128222798221599450%26pid%3D100033%26prg%3D1011%26rk%3D2%26sd%3D250778988287%26

[Inchlaggan]

I twist them like this-

http://www.fishingmagic.com/features/rigs/predator_rigs/11086-twisting-a-pike-trace.html

And add a crimp.
For a final finish I add heatshrink tubing.

[Traditionalist]

Some UK suppliers for you;

http://prowla.greysfishing.com/en-gb/products/traces-trace-making/traces-trace-making/prowla-trace-crimp/

http://www.tacklebargains.co.uk/acatalog/Trace-Wire-and-Crimps-Kit--Coated-.html

How to use;

http://www.pikeonline.co.uk/rigs/traces/trace-crimped-lure

[sewin007]

Guy who used to work at Caffarros, Glasgow, told me he used drennan pike wire, its knotable, he used a single overhand knot, put the fly into a fence post, branch ect and simply tie the knot, pulling it tight, when it beds in that's it solid. I was sceptical but have used that now for over 10years and never lost a fly. He has had Canadian pike over 30lb on this knot, it may only work with the drennan wire, try it and you will be surprised.

[Robbie]

I have used the stuff Sandy linked to,just used it the same way as standard nylon tippet and did not have any problems.

[Traditionalist]

The various  wires differ, here  a demo for the wire you have;

Knot 2 Kinky by Goya Trading South Africa

You can tie SOME knots in some wires, you have to twist other wires, and you have to crimp others.

[Traditionalist]

Here is the Uni knot shown in the demo which is a bit clearer to follow;

http://www.animatedknots.com/uniknot/index.php

This is the Albright knot,

http://www.animatedknots.com/albright/index.php?Categ=fishing&LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com

but I would not try to connect wire directly to mono etc.  I would use a swivel instead.

These knots will only work properly on SOME wires.  Usually the maker will recommend a knot or other method for his own wires.  You can use crimps on anything, and they are a lot faster and more convenient than any knots.

[Robbie]

I used t use Drennan pike wire which  is braided and knotable, it doesn't kink but does suffer a bit from memory

Sounds similar to the authanic wire stuff I have used, also found that it caught on heather quite a lot. Also used it with a small popper it it did not sink the fly.