FLY FiSHING Knots

Knots are essential in fly fishing rigging. In a typical fly fishing rig, knots are used to attach an artificial fly to the tippet, the tippet to the leader, the leader to the flyline, the flyline to the backing, and the backing to the reel. For each of these connections, there are many different knots one could use. While many fishers take great pride in mastering the tying of all the knots used in their fly fishing rigs, fly fishers do not need to know them all.

Fly fishers need to master a few knots: a knot to attach an artificial fly to tippet, a knot to attach tippet to a leader, and  loop-to-loop connections for leader to line in fly fishing. For the former, the improved clinch knot will do. For the latter, a surgeon's knot will do. Only after mastering a knot for each of these purposes should you consider learning a new knot.

Everyday Knots

For attaching flies to tippet, I typically use the uni knot (also known as the Duncan loop knot or grinner knot).  I find it dependable and easy to tie, even in the dark, with minimal material waste.  You can even leave the loop open to allow your fly to move more freely. I'll often use the double davy for attaching small flies to small tippet for a less bulky knot.

For attaching tippet to leader, I use the double uni-knot. It's more dependable than the triple surgeon's knot... though it takes a bit longer to tie as it is effectively two knots butted up against each other.

Useful Knots to Know

Not that I use them all that much; here's a few more knots that I have in my quiver.

The non-slip mono loop knot is a good knot to know for attaching a fly to tippet with a stable loop (a loop that won't close).  If you nymph most every day, you might even consider this an everyday knot.

For making loops for loop-to-loop connections, it is useful to know how to tie a perfection loop knot.  But if you haven't mastered it (like me), the more bulky surgeon's loop knot will do.

The nail knot is a useful knot for attaching leader material to a fly line when the fly line doesn't have a loop connector.

Fishing Knot Tying Animations

• AnimatedKnots.com

• NetKnots.com

• Orvis