Knot tying is one of those things where attention to detail makes a big difference (if it truly is knot failure and not something else). I used to tie poor clinch knots in my spinning days, and had problems with breakage more often than I'd like to admit.
I switched to a different knot and had instant, very good success with it. The irony is that NOW I tie clinch knots well and use them sometimes ;). Details!
Most of the fly shops have folks who tie excellent knots if you want to see them in person. I've said if before, but Rich Farino at Urban ties wonderful knots. With 3x tippet you should have a tippet > fly knot that is fairly hard to break when hung on the bottom. If not, choose a different knot. I'm actually amazed at how much tension you can put on even light line with a good knot.
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I think the trout don't last much longer than the DGIF "lifting" of the delay on harvest ;). Poaching is so bad as it is, it's a wonder they survive beyond a couple of weeks. I can't tell you how many aluminum cans with string I've removed from trees at my stream out back. It's unsightly, and (currently) illegal. I carry a pocket knife just for it.