Basic fly fishing knots Compiled by the guys in Cabela s richfield wisconsin fly shop

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Gillian Byrd
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Page 24 Loop to loop connection The preferred & probably the best method of attaching a leader to the built-in loop on a fly line, avoiding wear and tear on the vinyl coated fly line loop.

perfection loops are generally the best type of loop knot to use, though surgeon s loops may be used as well.

1 Page 24 Loop to loop connection The preferred & probably the best method of attaching a leader to the built-in loop on a fly line, avoiding wear and tear on the vinyl coated fly line loop. A loop to loop connection is also useful for attaching tippet sections to any tapered or furled leader. perfection loops are generally the best type of loop knot to use, though surgeon s loops may be used as well. Basic fly fishing knots Compiled by the guys in Cabela s richfield wisconsin fly shop Basic Advice on Tying Knots pass one loop through the other to make the connection. The same procedure applies for loop-to-loop leader-tippet connections. The loops should slide over each other smoothly & the finished connection should resemble a square knot, which will not hinge & makes a smooth transition between fly line & leader or leader & tippet. It is important not only to select the right knot for a particular job but also to tie it properly. Poorly Tied knots will mean lost fish and aggravation. Here are a few basic steps to follow when tying all knots for fly fishing. Lubricate knots: Before you tighten a knot, lubricate it with saliva or by dipping it in the water. This will help the knot slide and seat properly. Lubrication also decreases excessive heat, which dramatically weakens monofilament. The friction created when knots are drawn up tight generates heat. Seat the knot: Tighten knots with a steady, continuous pull. Make sure the knot is tight and secure. After it is tied, pull on the line and leader to make sure it holds. It is better to test it now than when a fish is on. Trim neatly: Use nippers to trim the material as close as possible without nicking or damaging the knot. Page 1

Page 2 ARBOR Knot to connect Backing to Fly Reel Palomar Knot (continued) Page 23 wrap the line

Grab the head of your loop and pull it downward completely over your terminal tackle.

This second knot keeps line from slipping through the first. Pull everything tight. Clip tags.

Tighten the knot by pulling the tag end and the line going to your rod at the same time.

2 Page 2 ARBOR Knot to connect Backing to Fly Reel Palomar Knot (continued) Page 23 wrap the line around reel arbor twice. Make 2 loops around the arbor. Tie an overhand knot around the line itself. Grab the head of your loop and pull it downward completely over your terminal tackle. Then just tie a second overhand knot in the tag end. This second knot keeps line from slipping through the first. Pull everything tight. Clip tags. Then slide the first overhand knot down the line to snug it around the reel arbor. Tighten the knot by pulling the tag end and the line going to your rod at the same time. Clip the tag end accordingly. note: It is important to take two turns around spool hub and to wind backing on tightly; not doing so can cause the entire mass of backing to rotate freely on the spool.

Page 22 Palomar Knot The Palomar Knot is very strong (can be over 90% but typically retains 75% - 85% of the line strength) a good choice for fishermen seeking larger fish on light lines.

Double sixinches of line and run your loop through the eye of your terminal tackle.

Nail Knot Page 3 The Nail Knot is an old favorite to connect large diameter line to a smaller diameter line.

A nail, hollow tube or other straight, rigid tool with a smooth surface must be used to effectively tie this knot.

3 Page 22 Palomar Knot The Palomar Knot is very strong (can be over 90% but typically retains 75% - 85% of the line strength) a good choice for fishermen seeking larger fish on light lines. It is very simple and preferred by many night fisherman that cannot necessarily "see" what they are doing, and "feel" as they tie the knot. It is the best knot to use for braided lines. Double sixinches of line and run your loop through the eye of your terminal tackle. Allowing the terminal tackle to hang, tie a loose overhand "granny knot" with your doubled line, making sure not to tighten. Nail Knot Page 3 The Nail Knot is an old favorite to connect large diameter line to a smaller diameter line. It is commonly used in fly-fishing to connect a shock tippet to a leader or fly line to backing. It is a very effective and compact knot that will easily travel through the guides on your rod. A nail, hollow tube or other straight, rigid tool with a smooth surface must be used to effectively tie this knot. Although using a nail or other tool will suffice, you will find using a hollow tube is the easiest way to tie this knot. Lay the nail or tube parallel with the end of the fly line. Place the leader material next to the fly line and leave an extra 10 to 12 inches of material beyond the nail or tube. Grasp all three materials with the left thumb and forefinger on the left edge of the nail or tube. With your right hand, grasp the end of the leader material & working left to right around all three materials, make six to eight close wraps. Slide out the tube or nail and carefully snug the coils. Grasp both ends of the leader & pull simultaneously until knot is tightly seated on the fly line. Trim tag end of leader close to the knot.

Page 4 Surgeon's Knot The Surgeon's Knot has proven to be one of the quickest and most effective ways to join a leader to line with unequal diameters.

Improved Clinch Knot The most recognized and easiest knot for connecting monofilament under 20-pound test to your terminal tackle. This knot is not recommended with heavy or braided line.

Place the line and leader parallel to each other with an overlap of six inches and moisten this area. Create a loop with the two lines as if you are working with one line.

4 Page 4 Surgeon's Knot The Surgeon's Knot has proven to be one of the quickest and most effective ways to join a leader to line with unequal diameters. It is most commonly used by anglers who enjoy the thrill of using light tackle for larger species, but need additional strength using heavy leader or heavy leader butt to a tapered leader Page 21 Improved Clinch Knot The most recognized and easiest knot for connecting monofilament under 20-pound test to your terminal tackle. This knot is not recommended with heavy or braided line. It will work on monofilament over 20- pound test, but we suggest the Buffer Loop Knot. The Palomar Knot also works great for braided line. Place the line and leader parallel to each other with an overlap of six inches and moisten this area. Create a loop with the two lines as if you are working with one line. Grasp the junction where the end of your line going to your rod and the leader material meet. Pass this and the ENTIRE LEADER through the loop you created twice. Grasp all four ends surrounding the knot and pull slowly at the same time. Once the knot is tightened, trim the tag ends. Take the tag end and pass it through the eye of your terminal tackle, allowing at least 3 inches of tag beyond the eye. Wrap the tag end five to seven times around the line going to your rod. Pinch the coils with the thumb & forefinger. Of your other hand, run the tag end through the first loop above the eye, then over the coils & through the large loop you just made. Moisten the knot area. Grab the tag end and the line going to your rod and pull simultaneously, forcing the coils to form a tight spiral. Once tight, slide the tightened coils against the eye of the terminal tackle with your fingernail and assure the coils are in a uniform spiral, not overlapping each other. Clip the tag end.

Page 20 Uni Knot An easy, quick and reliable choice for tying monofilament or braided line onto hooks, lures or swivels.

It can give 90% - 100% knot strength under ideal conditions.

Snug up turns by carefully pulling the tag end.

Double your line about three inches to make two parallel lines, then form a loop below the doubled lines.

It can be cinched up tight to the eye or left above the eye to allow the terminal tackle to move freely.

Either way, be sure the knot is solid and don't forget to trim the tag end.

The blood knot works best with lines of approximately equal diameter.

5 Page 20 Uni Knot An easy, quick and reliable choice for tying monofilament or braided line onto hooks, lures or swivels. This is an extremely versatile knot as it can also be used for fly line to leader connections. It can give 90% - 100% knot strength under ideal conditions. Take the tag end of the line and pass it over the two pieces of line and back through the loop six to eight times. Snug up turns by carefully pulling the tag end. Take the end of your line and pass it through the eye of your terminal tackle, allow about 6 inches of line after the eye. Double your line about three inches to make two parallel lines, then form a loop below the doubled lines. This knot can be used two ways, depending on the presentation you want and the terminal tackle you are using. It can be cinched up tight to the eye or left above the eye to allow the terminal tackle to move freely. When a strike occurs, the knot will tighten down from the pressure. Either way, be sure the knot is solid and don't forget to trim the tag end. Page 5 Blood knot Use this knot to join sections of leader or line together. The blood knot works best with lines of approximately equal diameter. It is useful for building tapered leaders if the leader segments taper progressively. Overlap the two lines allowing an area of about sixinches to work with. Take one line and wrap it around the other line 5 times. Grasp the tag end of the line you just twisted and feed it down in-between the two lines, in front of the first twist you made. Repeat with other end, twisting in the opposite direction and directing the tag end upward into the middle loop that has been created. Step 5 Slowly pull the lines simultaneously in opposite directions until the knot is tight. Once knot is seated, clip the tag ends closely.

Page 6 Double uni knot A simple and effective alternative to the Blood Knot, the Double Uni is an easy way to connect two lines of approximately the same diameter.

Duncan Loop (continued) Page 19 Overlap the two lines with an area of about six inches. Form a loop with the tag end of one line.

6 Page 6 Double uni knot A simple and effective alternative to the Blood Knot, the Double Uni is an easy way to connect two lines of approximately the same diameter. It is often used to construct tapered leaders or to attach a tippet to a factory tapered leader. It can be used for monofilament and braided lines. Duncan Loop (continued) Page 19 Overlap the two lines with an area of about six inches. Form a loop with the tag end of one line. Make three turns with the tag end over the two lines and back through the loop you created. Close the knot just enough to adjust the loop size. This can be accomplished by pinching the knot together and gently pulling on the tag end to close the loop. Step 5 Close the knot by pulling the running line against the loop. Snug up by pulling the tag end. You have just completed the first Uni Knot.

Page 18 Duncan Loop Double uni knot (continued) Page 7 The Duncan Loop is sometimes called the Uni- Knot,

Use the Duncan loop to attach your fly to your tippet.

Thread about 6 of tippet through the hook eye & make a circle or loop in the tippet.

Step 5 Thread the tag end back through the loop you have made & wrap around both parts of the tippet.

7 Page 18 Duncan Loop Double uni knot (continued) Page 7 The Duncan Loop is sometimes called the Uni- Knot, (Mistakenly) as the Uniknot and correct Duncan Loop are different. Use the Duncan loop to attach your fly to your tippet. Leave the loop open to allow the fly to swing freely, or close the loop tight against the hook eye for a tight hold. Thread about 6 of tippet through the hook eye & make a circle or loop in the tippet. Repeat steps 1, 2 and 3 with the opposite line you used for the first Uni Knot. Step 5 Thread the tag end back through the loop you have made & wrap around both parts of the tippet. Wet line on and between the two knots and tighten by pulling the lines on each side of the knot in opposite directions simultaneously. Step 6 Pull tight and trim the tag ends close to the coil. Make 4 or 5 wraps through the loop & around the tippet. Use 4 wraps for heavy line (40-50lb) 5 wraps for light tippet

Page 8 Page 17 Perfection Loop The Perfection Loop forms a very small and compact loop at the end of

It is commonly used for attaching leaders to snaps or for loop to loop connections of line and

Dropper Loop Knot (continued) Form a loop at the end of the line, allowing about 4 inches of tag.

8 Page 8 Page 17 Perfection Loop The Perfection Loop forms a very small and compact loop at the end of your line. It is commonly used for attaching leaders to snaps or for loop to loop connections of line and leaders. Dropper Loop Knot (continued) Form a loop at the end of the line, allowing about 4 inches of tag. With the remaining tag, create another loop to the side by wrapping the tag once around the line going to the rod. Push the bottom of your original loop up through the new opening created by the "U"- shaped line and hold loop in place with your teeth. Step 5 Pull the ends simultaneously until coils tighten up. At this point, your loop should stand up from your line. Holding the two loops in place, direct the tag end around the line, crossing over the top of the second loop you created.

Page 16 Perfection Loop (continued) Page 9 Dropper Loop Knot This loop is ideal for placing hooks, sinkers or other tackle in different locations

Now gently pull loop #2 through loop #1.

At this point you can place a tool of some sort, like a nail knot tool or a ballpoint pen, to size the loop. Create a simple loop in the line.

If you place a pen or pencil inside of the loop before pulling it tight, the pencil will determine the size of the finished loop.

9 Page 16 Perfection Loop (continued) Page 9 Dropper Loop Knot This loop is ideal for placing hooks, sinkers or other tackle in different locations throughout your line. Catfish anglers and others who use live bait off the bottom commonly use this loop to present multiple baits with one line. Now gently pull loop #2 through loop #1. Hold on to the tag end of the line and gently snug up the knot tight just tight enough to keep it from unraveling. At this point you can place a tool of some sort, like a nail knot tool or a ballpoint pen, to size the loop. Create a simple loop in the line. Pull some slack from one side of the loop and bring it inward, creating a "U" shape inside the loop. Initially only pull the tag end to tighten this knot. If you place a pen or pencil inside of the loop before pulling it tight, the pencil will determine the size of the finished loop. Place a thumb or forefinger inside your loop. Use the "U" shaped line and wrap it around the top of the loop 6 to 8 times. Wet the knot area. Pulling the tag end will size the loop, then pulling on the running line will lock the loop in place. Tighten until knot turns over, sometimes you can hear it click into place. Once it is firm, trim the tag end.

Page 10 Page 15 Non-Slip Mono-Loop Knot This loop is extremely strong when tied correctly.

This is a good knot for attaching streamers & steelhead or salmon flies to the leader.

Surgeon's End Loop (continued) Hold the end of the loop and pull slowly while also holding on to the tag end and the

Start by making a loose overhand "granny knot" in the line prior to attaching the terminal tackle.

10 Page 10 Page 15 Non-Slip Mono-Loop Knot This loop is extremely strong when tied correctly. Useful when maximum line movement is sought. This is a good knot for attaching streamers & steelhead or salmon flies to the leader. The fly will then swing at the end of the loop & this loop will not close up. Surgeon's End Loop (continued) Hold the end of the loop and pull slowly while also holding on to the tag end and the running line (the part going to the rod) simultaneously. Once tight, clip the tag end. Start by making a loose overhand "granny knot" in the line prior to attaching the terminal tackle. Allow about 6 inches between the end of the line and the overhand knot. Do not tighten down. Take the tag end and run it through the eye of the terminal tackle and back through the middle of the overhand knot. With the tag end make the suggested number of turns around the main line. Pound Test Turns

Page 14 Surgeon's End Loop The Surgeon's End Loop forms a loop at the end of a line. This provides a means to quickly attach leaders and other tackle.

This knot couldn't be any simpler, it's quick and reliable. However the loop formed is always slightly offset from the main line.

For heavy leaders use alloy or copper crimping sleeve swaged with a quality swaging tool. Take 12 of line and double it, making a loop that is approximately 6 long.

Non-Slip Mono-Loop Knot (continued) Page 11 Put the tag end back through the middle of the overhand knot once more.

11 Page 14 Surgeon's End Loop The Surgeon's End Loop forms a loop at the end of a line. This provides a means to quickly attach leaders and other tackle. This end loop is very easy to tie and very reliable, but it is slightly more bulky than the Perfection Loop. This knot couldn't be any simpler, it's quick and reliable. However the loop formed is always slightly offset from the main line. No problem for bottom fishing, but for trolling with light tackle we would use either a Leader loop knot or a Perfection loop knot. For heavy leaders use alloy or copper crimping sleeve swaged with a quality swaging tool. Take 12 of line and double it, making a loop that is approximately 6 long. Tie a loose overhand granny knot with the loop. Be sure not to completely tighten it. Non-Slip Mono-Loop Knot (continued) Page 11 Put the tag end back through the middle of the overhand knot once more. Be sure there is at least 2 inches of tag hanging outside of the loop. Step 5 Pinch the area right next to the eye of the terminal tackle and the line above the knot. Tighten the knot by slowly pulling at the same time. Assure tightness by pulling on the tag end and the line going to your rod then clip the tag end accordingly. Take the end of the loop and pass it through the circle of line you have created with the overhand knot.

Page 12 Buffer Loop Knot This loop knot is great for situations that call for

six inches up from the end of your line. Do not tighten!

your rod simultaneously to form the knot.

12 Page 12 Buffer Loop Knot This loop knot is great for situations that call for monofilament over 20-pound test, heavy test shock tippets, or coated multistrand wire. Buffer Loop Knot (continued) Page 13 Tie a loose overhand "granny knot" about six inches up from the end of your line. Do not tighten! At this point, you can manipulate the size of your loop by sliding the lower overhand knot up or down. When you have the desired loop size, slowly pull the tag end and line going to your rod simultaneously to form the knot. Step 5 Run the tag end of your line through the eye of your terminal tackle then back through the center of the overhand knot you created. Trim the tag end. Tie another overhand knot above the first knot you created, with the tag end around the line going to your rod.

Keep these things in mind when tying your knots:

FISHING KNOTS Keep these things in mind when tying your knots: https://www.redington.com/new-to-fly-fishing/knot-tying 1. Wet your knot. Before you tighten a knot, lubricate it with saliva or by dipping