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 above, is a simple, neat, strong, and durable alternative to the
braided loop.
|
|
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
|
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 |
See also
Fly Fishing Knots
BOOKS ON FISHING KNOTS
These books on
fishing knots are normally available
at Amazon
 |
"Fly Leaders and Knots"
Larry V. Notley
Buy
it on Amazon.com
Buy
it on Amazon.co.uk
|
 |
"Practical Fishing Knots"
M. Sosin and L. Kreh
Buy
it on Amazon.com
Buy
it on Amazon.co.uk
|
| |
 |
"Waterproof Book of Knots"
Geoff Wilson
Buy
it on Amazon.com
Buy
it on Amazon.co.uk
|
 |
"The Complete Book of Fishing Knots"
Geoffrey Budworth
Buy
it on Amazon.com
Buy
it on Amazon.co.uk
|
Back to top of page
Fishing Knots
|
