Tangles, wind knots, catching trees, bulky knots getting stuck in guides and other mishaps are the reality for ALL anglers. Learning a few basic knots will help you on your fishing journey. Check out the United Women on the Fly YouTube Channel for instructional videos. We also recommended Animated Knots and Orvis for other knot tutorials. Check out our Online Fly Fishing Classes from more virtual instruction on this and so much more.
Connecting Backing to Fly Reel
Arbor Knot
Foundational knot that you can use to secure backing on a fly reel or braided, monofilament or any fishing line to the arbor of any fishing reel.
Connecting Fly line to Backing
Albright knot
The Albright Knot is useful to connect lines of different diameters, or attaching a fly line to its backing.
Nail knot
The Nail Knot is an important fishing knot used to join two lines of different diameters. It is useful for attaching your backing to the fly line, and your fly line to the leader, or tippet.
Connecting Leader to Fly Line
Clinch Knot
Treat the fly line welded loop like the eye of a hook and tie it in. Don’t “improve” the clinch knot, it’s unnecessary and adds bulk.
Loop to Loop
This is a method of joining two loops and is often referred to as interlocking loops. This is our least recommended connection as it’s bulky and can get caught in the guides.
Nail Knot
The Nail Knot makes a smooth compact knot that readily passes through the guides. Require no loop on the end of your fly line.
Needle Nail Knot
This is a method for connecting leader to fly line when not using a loop-to-loop connection. You’ll tie a 4 turn nail knot onto the fly line after the needle and leader have been threaded.
Connecting leader to Tippet or tippet to tippet
Double Surgeons
Quick and easy. Used for joining lines of equal or unequal diameters. Also called the Surgeon’s Knot.
Blood Knot
Used for joining two lines together. The strength of the knot is increased by making at least 5 and up to 7 wraps on each side of the knot. It works best with lines of approximately equal diameter.
Connecting Fly to tippet
Clinch
Best with light tippets and small flies.
Improved Clinch
When using larger tippet diameters this knot helps hold the tag end into the knot so it will not slip.
Non Slip Loop Knot
The Non-Slip Loop Knot makes a very strong fixed loop in the end of the fishing line. Because the loop doesn’t grip the fly, it makes a flexible attachment and allows a more natural action.
