Fly Line Knots

Tying fly knots can be tricky. The hooks are usually small. And you want to keep the knots really neat so they're attractive to the fish and easy to cast.

Nail Knot

Used to attach your backing line or leader material to your fly line. Line up your fly line, your backing line (or leader line) and a small-diameter nail or needle. Wrap the backline around the fly line and nail five to eight times. Bring the tag end over and push it back between the loops, remove the nail, and tighten the knot.

Double Surgeon's Knot

Used to connect monofilament of similar or dissimilar sizes. This knot is superior to the more popular Blood Knot in several ways. Most important, it has a stronger breaking strength and is better for joining widely divergent monofilament sizes. It's also easier to tie than a Blood Knot.

Double Turle Knot

Exclusively for tying flies with up or down-turned eyes to the shank of a hook, this smaller knot allows an excellent presentation by keeping the fly (especially nymphs) in line with your cast.

Needle Knot

Works great for tying a monofilament leader to your fly line. Use a needle to create a hole through the center of your fly line and out the side. Next pull your leader line through the hole. Then use a nail as a brace so you can wrap the leader line around the fly line.

Tube/Nail Needle Knot

Instead of running a needle through your fly line, line up the leader line, fly line and a small piece of stiff plastic tubing. Next wrap the leader line around the tube and fly line five to eight times. Then run the leader line through the tube and remove the tube.

Emergency Nail Knot

This knot is like a tube or nail knot when you don't have a tube or nail. Take a short piece of strong, double monofilament line and fold it in half. Line up your fly line, leader line and the folded piece of monofilament. Wrap the leader line around the fly line and monofilament and pull the tag end of the leader through the looped part of the monofilament. Use the ends of the monofilament to pull the tag line through the wraps.

Duncan Loop

Use the Duncan Loop to attach your fly to your tippet. Leave the loop open to allow the fly to swing freely, or close the loop tight against the hook eye for a tight hold.