The knot is a very important part of the fly fishing gear. If the knot fails the game is over. There are many types of knots and each has its own fishing application. We list some of the most popular knots.

 

Nail Knot

 

A Nail Knot is widely used. You can use it to attach the leader to the fly line and the fly line to the backing. Typically a tube is used to build the Nail Knot because it can be placed anywhere on a fishing line. This technique works well for a beginner who is learning how much line to retrieve for making good backcasts. If you install a Nail Knot on the line at the proper location, you can feel the knot and retrieve the right amount of line to make the backcast. Here are the steps:

 

1. Hold the tube and the two lines together. Wrap the smaller line around the tube and the larger line. Make five to seven turns and then pass the line through the tube.

 

2. Tighten the knot, pull on the tag end of the leader to draw the coils together and pull out the tube.

 

3. Lubricate, pull the knot tight and trim the tag ends.

 

 

 

Improved Clinch Knot

 

This is very popular knot for attaching monofilament or fluorocarbon lines to a hook and fly. Here are the steps:

 

1. Insert 3 to 5 inches of the tag end through the eye. Wrap it around the standing end about five complete turns. Insert the tag end through the small loop in front of the eye. Bring the tag end through the larger line loop.

 

2. Lubricate the knot and pull on both the tag end and the main line to close the knot. Trim the ends.

 

 

 

Albright Knot

 

Albright Knot is used to join one line to another of larger diameter or to connect solid braided wire to a fishing line. Here are the steps:

 

1. Form a loop in the heavier line.

 

2. Pass the end of the thinner line through the loop and wrap it around itself and the two lines of the loop 10 times.

 

3. Pass the end back though the loop the same way it entered.

 

4. Web and pull the knot tight.

 

5. Trim the ends.

 

 

 

Blood Knot

 

This knot is a popular method of joining dissimilar strands of monofilament or fluorocarbon lines. It is often used to build tapered leaders for fly fishing.

 

1. Overlap the two ends to be joined. Wrap one end around the other six times.

 

2. Tuck the end back between the lines. When six turns are completed, tuck the end back tween the lines in the opposite direction to the first end.

 

3. Trim the ends.

 

 

 

Surgeon’s Knot

 

The Surgeon’s Knot is one of the quickest and easiest knots to join dissimilar diameters of monofilament lines.

 

1. Place two tag ends against each other.

 

2. Wrap the tag ends around your first two fingers. Remove the circle and pass the two tag ends through the circle. Take the two tag ends through the circle again.

 

3. Wet and pull the knot tight. Trim the end.

 

 

 

Although there are many types of knots, there are some general rules of knot-tying. First use your saliva to lubricate monofilament knots before snagging them up tight. To test the quality of your knot, you should pull hard enough to get at least half of its expected breaking strength when tightening the knot. If the line breaks 2 or 3 times in a row when you do this, it is time to get rid of that leader. Also, clip off the loose ends as close as possible to the knot so as to minimize the chances of catching on the rod guides. Finally, if you are going to tie the knots at home, add a drop of super-glue to guarantee maximum strength and add a coating or rubber cement to smooth out knot contours. Such steps will pay off handsomely when your gear is pushed to the limit by the big fish. Keep in mind that always close the knot as firmly as possible.