Fishing Knots
Basic
fly fishing knots
for all situations - illustrated instructions on how to tie some of the best
and most popular fishing knots, fly fishing knots in particular, linking
reel to backing to fly line to leader to fly.
In fly fishing, as in all fishing, the knot the
fisherman uses is crucial to success, as many of
us have learned to our cost. It is important to
get our
fishing knots right, in securing our backing line to the reel; in
connecting our backing line to the fly line; in
joining our fly line to our leader; and in tying
on our fly.
A
number of the most reliable fly fishing knots are illustrated below. These are the
fishing knots I use in my salmon, trout and
sea trout fly fishing. These knots are simple,
strong and reliable and include some of the
most
popular fly fishing knots in use today, such as the Perfection Loop and the Water
Knot, as well as one or two not so well
known knots, such as
Gray's Loop.
For those who like to attach their leader to the
fly line by a loop-to-loop connection, Gray's Loop, shown below, is a simple, neat,
strong, and durable alternative to the
braided loop.
Fly Fishing Knots
REEL > BACKING LINE > FLY LINE > LOOP >
LEADER > DROPPER > FLY
FLY FISHING KNOTS
For illustrated instructions on how to tie the various fly
fishing knots, click on one of the following links
REEL KNOT
-
Backing to reel
REEL KNOT
A reliable knot for attaching backing line to the reel.
For full tying instructions see
Tying the Reel Knot
CONSTRICTION
KNOT
-
Backing to Fly
line
CONSTRICTION KNOT
This knot is suitable for attaching nylon monofilament, dacron,
braided terylene or twisted nylon backing to a traditional PVC
coated, terylene core fly line. It is not suitable for some modern
lines with kevlar or monofilament cores. Nor should it be used with
hollow braided nylon backing line.
For full tying instructions see:
Flyline to Backing Knot
GRAY'S LOOP
-
Fly line Butt
Loop
See also Needle knot version of
GRAY'S LOOP
- tying method with photographs.
GRAY'S LOOP
A version of the Constriction knot for attaching a semi-permanent
loop of nylon monofilament to the end of a traditional PVC coated,
terylene core flyline to facilitate a loop to loop connection with
the leader. Such a loop might last a whole season.
For full illustrated instructions on the tying method, see
Gray's
Loop
See Needle knot version of
GRAY'S LOOP
LOOP
TO LOOP
- Butt Loop to Leader
LOOP TO LOOP
A convenient method of attaching a leader to the fly line, avoiding
wear and tear on the butt loop.
For full tying instructions see
Loop to Loop Connection
PERFECTION LOOP
-
Leader (or cast) Loop
PERFECTION LOOP
A reliable leader loop which lies in line with the leader. The loose
end can be trimmed very close to the knot. Easier to tie than it
looks.
For full tying instructions see
Tying the Perfection Loop
WATER
KNOT
-
Dropper Knot
WATER KNOT
A good dropper knot. Stronger, more reliable and easier to tie than
the blood knot. Although the typical advice is for three turns, I
often use only two turns and the resultant knot seems quite
reliable. Note that the length used for the dropper should be the
one pointing away from the reel
For full tying instructions see
Tying the Water Knot
SLIP KNOT
-
Fly or Hook
connection
SLIP KNOT
An alternative to the half - blood knot which has served me well for
over thirty years. Similar to the Grinner knot. Tighten well and
don't trim too close to the hook.
For full tying instructions see
Tying the Slip Knot
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