Davy Knot: Fly Fishing Knot

When to Tie the Davy Fishing Knot

When you want to connect a fly to your tippet or leader quickly, the Davy knot is a good knot to use. Competitive British fly angler Davy Wotton created this knot, also known as the Davy Wotton leader knot, because it was important for him to tie a knot that was fast and reliable when fishing under a time limit.

How to Tie the Davy Fishing Knot

There are only a few steps to the Davy knot, making it one of the fastest fishing knots you can learn to tie.
 

Follow these instructions to tie the Davy knot fly fishing knot:

1. Thread 3 to 4 inches of leader or tippet through the eye of the hook.
2. Form a loose simple overhand knot in front of the fly.
3. Bring the tag end back through the loop, passing the line between the overhand knot and the fly.
4. Tighten the knot by pulling on the tag end first to close the knot, and then on the standing end to set the knot.
5. Trim the tag end.

After tying the Davy knot a few times, it might become one of your favorite fast fishing knots. Not all fly fishing knots are quick and easy to tie, but the Davy knot is.