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To make nylon monofilament leaders you must know how to tie good, strong knots. A knot is the weakest link in your line or leader. Even a perfectly tied knot weakens a line, but a wrong or carelessly tied knot can weaken your line or leader by as much as 50 per cent or more. A good knot, properly tied, weakens the line by only 20 per cent or so. Sailors, riggers, and fishermen use many different kinds of knots. For most fishing needs and for tying leaders, however, only a few basic knots are required, and these are shown in Fig. 135. Nylon knots have a tendency to slip if not properly tied, so care must be taken when tightening the knot. After the knot is formed it should first be pulled up slowly, and then pulled tight. After the knot is tied, do not clip the end off too short. For certain knots it is also a good idea to burn this end with a match or cigarette lighter so that the nylon fuses into a tiny ball. Figure 135. Basic leader knots.
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