Knot tying methods and apparatus

An apparatus for assisting in tying knots, comprising:

• a first arm having a free end and a junction end;
• a second arm having a free end and a junction end, the second arm junction end being attached to the first arm junction end;
• and
• wherein:
• the first arm free end and the second arm free end are positioned in spaced apart relationship;
• the first arm defines an indented section configured to receive a flexible line, and sized to allow the flexible line to be received length-wise within the indented section, and to allow the flexible line to pass from the free end of the first arm;
• and
• the second arm free end defines hook support configured to support a fishing hook.

A method of tying a knot from a flexible line to secure an object to the flexible line, the flexible line defining a tag end and a standing end, the object defining an opening to receive the flexible line, the method comprising:

• passing the tag end of the line through the opening and directing the tag end of the line back to the standing end of the line;
• holding the tag end of the line against the standing end of the line to form a double strand of line, and wrapping the double strand of line around itself to form a plurality of wraps around the double strand of line, each wrap defining a loop through which the double strand of line passes, the wraps progressing along the line in the direction of the opening in the object;
• passing the tag end of the line through the loops in a direction away from the opening in the object;
• and
• pulling the standing end of the line to secure the line to the object.

A method of splicing a first line to a second line, the first line being defined by a first line tag end and a first line standing end, the second line being defined by a second line tag end and a second line standing end, comprising:

• laying a section of the first line adjacent to a section of the second line such that the tag end of the first line is proximate the standing end of the second line;
• holding the tag end of the first line against the standing end of the second line to form a first double strand of line, and wrapping the first double strand of line around itself to form a first plurality of wraps around the first double strand of line, the wraps defining a plurality of first loops through which the first double strand of line passes, the first wraps progressing along the line in the direction of the tag end of the second line;
• passing the tag end of the first line through the first loops in a direction towards the standing end of the second line;
• holding the tag end of the second line against the standing end of the first line to form a second double strand of line, and wrapping the second double strand of line around itself to form a second plurality of wraps around the second double strand of line, the second wraps defining a plurality of second loops through which the second double strand of line passes, the wraps progressing along the line in the direction of the tag end of the first line;
• passing the tag end of the second line through the second loops in a direction towards the standing end of the first line;
• and
• pulling the standing end of each line to secure the lines together.