Guide to Fly Fishing Knots

Learning a range of effective Knots is an important part of fishing. in this section we've tried to put together a range of knots that will cover all of your fishing needs.

Knots for Tying on a Fly, Swivel or Lure

Uni Knot

The uni knot is my favourite alround knot. It has great knot strength and ties well with any line weight. Also once you've threaded the hook it's easy to tie without watching, so it's great for tying knots after dark.

Improved Clinch Knot

If you can't get the uni Knot to work for you then try out the improved clinch. I have plenty of friends who swear by this knot.

Palomar Knot

The palomar was the first knot I learnt. It's extremely strong and fixes the hook firmer and straighter than the uni or improved clinch.

Knots for Tying Two Sections of Line Together

Surgeons Knot

Again this is my favourite knot for joining two sections of line together. It also happens to be the easiest knot to learn and the strongest.

Double Uni Knot

The double uni is a great extension of the standard uni knot, you can even use this knot to attach a piece of yarn indicator to your leader.

Blood Knot

The blodd knot is a classic knot, when tying filaments of different diameters it sometimes sits better than a Surgeons knot and will consequently be stronger.

Albright Special

This knot is great for tying fly lines onto your backing or for joining braided line onto monofilament.

Knots for Creating Loops

Perfection Loop

This isn't a strong loop but is great for creating loops at the end of a tapered leader so you can create a loop to loop connection onto your fly line. Remember the butt section of a tapered leader is very strong so you don't need to worry about knot strength.

Surgeons Loop

This is the strongest loop (besides a Bimini Twist or other Game Fishing Knots). Consequently it's great for creating rotating loops on your leaders or other loops where strength is important.

Dropper Loop

This loop is great for tying sabiki rigs or long droppers for bottom fishing.

Knots for Attaching your Leader to your Fly Line

Nail Knot Using C&F Deisgn Nail Knot Tool

This is a great little tool and arguably the cleanest knot for creating a connection between your fly line and leader.

Nail Knot

This is a great way of connecting your leader onto your fly line. It creates a slim smooth connection between your leader and fly line. this is particularly important when fishign long leaders where the line needs to be pulled inside the rod tip when landing fish.