I use either a uni knot or an improved clinch knot.
Yeah I wet it and then pull the ends together slowly to avoid heat.
Then I give it a quick tuck in the end to check. But man -  this 6 pound line is so thin, it's like hair.
Almost need a microscope to tie the knots :-)
I can take two ends in my hands and pull hard enough to make it break. 

One thing I should have done yesterday is to let the fish run with the line instead of trying to stop it.
I did well and played him for a good 15 minutes but when he made his final run I had my hand to tight on the line.
I didn't think he'd still have enough power to make a run like this and probably was getting too keen on netting him. But I guess the net in the water gave him a big rush of adrenaline.

I just found this video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRifnnR2XUA

This is the knot I use (for mono of course). I will still take a photo later. I seem to remember calling it something else, anyway a rose is a rose...double clinch knot. This is my standard all purpose knot that I have been using for at least 30 maybe 35 years. When done correctly it will give 95% breaking strain....and you will not find any knot that gives better than 95%

This video shows what happens when you do it wrong :). At the end of the video after he tightens the knot take note of the main line. You will see it is sort of twisted or riggly shaped. Note how new and straight it was before he pulled the knot tight. Well, that twisting is heat damage from PULLING the knot tight. Just looking at it I would say the way he has done it, he might have 65% maybe 70%.

I know it sounds a bit pedantic, but think about it. There is not a lot of line for sudden heat to disburse. It is not a lot of heat but as seen in the video it is enough to start melting the line, hence the deformed twisting. By the time the air cools the line it is too late the damage is done.

If you are using 6lb line there is even less area for the heat to disburse but about the same amount of heat is generated. Using very light line like 6lb and pulling the knot tight could take it down to 50% or even as low as 40%.

So your 6lb line might have a weakest point of 3lb or even as low as 2lb, if you are pulling the knot tight.

Pushing the knot tight is easy and almost eliminates heat damage. You simply push the coils towards the hook or swivel. Then gently pull the tag end to tighten the knot. You might have to push and then pull the tag 2 or 3 times. When done correctly you will actually see the difference. You will see the line is still straight and not damaged.

Oh...and of course always wet the knot before pushing tight. The best thing to use to wet the line is your saliva. It is quite a good lubricant, just feel how smooth your tongue feels on your teeth or how easy you can swallow food. It is a good lubricant and you carry a ready supply where ever you go 😊  

Oh...of course...it's a trilene knot 😊

Sorry mate...I have been trying to take pics. I really need someone to do the camera thing...selfie is just knot going to work :):)

Maybe some before and after pics...

That is one nice trout !!

Finesse...I have never fly fished. I understand the method. When using an Alvey (which I use often) we "palm" the spool for drag. It comes down to feel. I imagine fly fishing would be similar in that you have to feel when to let go and when to put on the pressure.

It does not sound to me like you are doing anything wrong...sure, you can work on your knots...but finesse will win...

You know what they say -- Old age and treachery always overcomes youth and skill --

That sounds do-able...In fact you could use both feet 😊 Sit down and you free up your other foot :)

Think about it. Fly fishing, you pull the line in with one hand, but you don't wind it on the reel until after you land the fish.

However, there is no reason why you cannot wind directly on to the reel. In fact, salt water fly fishing does exactly that. As long as the reel is not one of those cheap ones that is only intended to hold the line, then there is no reason why you cannot retrieve in the exact same way as an Alvey.

Actually, retrieving in an Alvey fashion and palming the reel would be easier than a "fly" retrieve. When fly retrieving the hand holding the rod is also used to hold the line while you bring the other hand up to retrieve more line. So for a split second your rod hand has the line "locked" until you pass the line to the other hand. If palming the reel you don't need to take the line in the other hand, you just have to let go of the reel.

The how bit is easy...It is palming, literally:) You use the palm of your hand to cup the reel spool. This gives better drag control than any in built drag system. Have you ever tried to adjust drag when fighting a fish? Well when palming you have total control without having to turn a knob. You can apply more or less drag instantly because your palm is the drag.