There are many different knots that you can use to tie your fly lines. Any one of them will work just fine. Which one you choose is a matter of personal preference. It is important that you tie the knot correctly and secure it properly. Failing to do so will result in lost fish and a lot of frustration.
Before you tighten a knot, you should wet it either with saliva or by dipping it in water. This will help the knot slide and seat properly. Lubrication also decreases excessive heat which dramatically weakens monofilament. Heat is generated by the friction created when knots are drawn up tight.
Seating the knot means to tie it tightly. Tighten knots with a steady, continuous pull. Make sure the knot is tight and secure. After it is tied, pull on the line and leader to make sure it holds. It is better to test it now than when a fish is on.
You will also need to trim the ends neatly. Use nippers to trim the material as close as possible without nicking or damaging the knot.
Here are a few of the more common knots you can try:
The Albright knot is used in situations where you need to join two lines of greatly unequal diameter or of different material. Mostly used in saltwater situations, you can also use this knot for joining of fly line to backing material.
Step 1: Loop the heavier line (wider diameter) and place it between your thumb and index finger of your left hand. Pass the lighter line through the formed loop leaving about 8 inches. Pinch the lighter line in with the line already in your left hand. (See illustration 1)
Step 2: Make approximately 10 wraps with the lighter line wrapping away from you and working from left to right. With each wrap, work your thumb and index finger along holding these wraps in place, trying not to let up any pressure on your left hand. On the 10th wrap, come around and then through the remaining loop.
Take the standing line in your right hand and pull gently as you push the wraps with your left hand towards the closed loop. Alternate between the end of the lighter line and on the standing part until the wraps are against the tag end. Make sure the wraps do not go over each other and that you don't push them to far. Pull the tag tight then pull on the standing part of both lines until the knot is secure.
Step 3: Finally, clip the two short pieces close to the knot.
Step 1: Wrap the line around the arbor of your spool and tie an overhand knot around the standing line.
Step 2: Tie a second overhand knot on the tag end a few inches from the first.
Step 3: Moisten the line and the two overhand knots. Tighten the smaller knot and holding the spool in your left-hand pull on the standing line with your right hand sliding the first overhand knot against the arbor of the spool. The second overhand knot will keep this from slipping. Trim the tag end.
The blood knot is a knot used for attaching two pieces of monofilament together, primarily for rebuilding tapered leaders. This is an extremely strong knot when formed properly and should be tied with monofilament close in diameter. Best use is for monofilament 10 lbs. and up.
Step 1: Lay both sections of monofilament across one another. Wrap one section 5-6 times around the other bringing the end back down through the loop formed by both. (See illustration 1)
Step 2: Wrap the other line 5-6 times around the remaining portion of the first line and pass it's free end up through the formed loop. (See illustration 2)
Step 3: Moisten the knot with your mouth, and while holding the long ends pull the knot tight. Clip the short ends close and the knot is complete.
The Turle knot is ideal when tying on flies with turned-up or turned-down eyes to your leader. This gives your fly good action because of the way the knot causes the leader to pull away from the hook. It can be tied with one or two wraps of an overhand knot.
Step 1: Pass the leader end through the hook-eye. Take two wraps around the standing line and pass the tag end through the loops forming a simple overhand knot. Tighten it down.
Step 2: Pass the fly through the large loop formed and snug it against the hook-eye.
Step 3: Tighten down and trim off the excess.
The Improved Clinch knot is used for fastening the leader to the fly. If you are using over 12 Lb. test line, this is not a recommended knot.
Step 1: Thread your leader tippet through the eye of the hook. Wrap the end of the leader around the standing line 5 times for lines up to 8lb test and 4 times for lines from 8-12lb test. (You can also turn the hook 5 or 4 times)
Step 2: Take the tag end of the leader and pass it through the gap between the eye of the hook and the first wrap. Continue the tag end back up through the main loop just formed.
Step 3: Moisten the knot with your mouth, and while holding the hook in your left-hand pull on the standing leader allowing the knot to seat tightly against the hook. Clip the excess line.
The Non-Slip Mono Knot is extremely strong and as the name says, does mot slip like some of the other loop knots. This knot has been tested to close to 100% of the line strength. It is very important that you follow the wrap counts for maximizing its strength. 8X to 6lb test: 7 wraps. 8 to 12lbs: 5 wraps. 15lb to 40lb test: 4 wraps. 50-60lb test: 3 wraps, and up to 120lb test: 2 wraps.
Step 1: Take your line and form an over-hand knot, leaving approximately 8 inches. Pass the tag end through the eye of the hook. Bring the line back through the overhand knot the same side it came out. Make your wraps based upon the numbers above.
Step 2: After all the wraps are completed pass the line back through the over hand knot the same way it came out in the last step.
Step 3: Moisten the knot with your mouth, and while holding the hook in your right-hand pull slowly. As the knot tightens, take the standing line in your left hand and pull your hands apart finishing the knot. Finally, trim the ends.
The perfection loop knot is used for attaching two looped pieces of monofilament together. Sometimes used for a quick change of leaders. This is a dependable and strong when formed properly.
Step 1: Take the standing line in your left hand and form a loop by crossing the tag end over itself with your right hand. Pinch between the thumb and index finger in your left hand where it crosses leaving about 5 inches of the tag end exposed to work with. Form a smaller loop in front of the larger loop by bringing the tag end in front of the first formed loop. Pinch this in with the first crossover.
Step 2: Take the tag end, wrapping it around the back of both loops and then between the two loops. After you go between both loops add that to what you are pinching down between your fingers.
Step 3: With your right hand, reach through the first formed loop taking the second smaller loop between your thumb and index finger and pulls it through the first loop. Moisten and slowly pull on the standing line continuing to hold the smaller loop that you pulled through. Trim the tag end close and the loop knot is complete.
The Surgeon's Knot is a knot also used for attaching two pieces of monofilament together. It is a very fast and easy knot to tie and is usually preferred more than the blood knot. This is a great knot for joining two pieces of monofilament that are greatly different in diameter. When you are building a tapered leader, tied correctly, this knot is generally stronger than the blood knot. This is a very quick and easy knot for attaching 4X-5X-6X-7X tippet to each other. You can do this one in the dark.
Step 1: The main line should come in from the left and the line to be attached should come from the right. Overlap the two pieces approximately 6 or so inches. (See illustration 1)
Step 2: Pinch the overlapped lines together on the left between your thumb and index finger. Do the same with the sections on the right and make a loop by crossing it over itself. Take the long and short lines that are in your right hand and pass them through the formed loop, around, and back through a second time. (See illustration 2)
Step 3: Pull both pieces being held in each hand away from each other closing the knot. Moisten and pull tight. Once this not is secure you can tighten it further by pulling individual pieces. I would not recommend this knot for line over 30lbs because it will be hard to tighten and the strength of the knot will only be there if tightened all the way.
These are only a few of the knots you can use to tie your fly line. Ask others what they prefer and learn from your fishing buddies if you want. There are all sorts of knots and no one is better than another. As we’ve said, it’s a matter of personal preference!
Since the basic idea in fly fishing is casting, let’s look at a few casting techniques you can employ on your next excursion.
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