Using the Right Fly Fishing Knots for the Right Purpose

Using the right know when tying flies is an important part of the sport and can eliminate the frustration of losing flies and fish when an improperly tied knot comes loose. There a few fly fishing knots that are used for similar purposes, but the first one everyone should learn how to tie is used to attach the fly line to the reel. The first step is wrap the line around the spool twice and then using the free end, tie an overhand knot in the end, through which the remainder of the line passes.

Pull the knot tight and then pull on the line. The freehand knot will slide towards the reel creating a solid knot which will continue to become tighter the more it is pulled while fishing. The Albright or nail knot, are two fly fishing knots that can be used to tie the fly line to the tippet, especially when saltwater fly fishing. Using the larger line, form a loop and hold at with the thumb and first finger on one hand. The smaller line can be passed through the open loop where it is wound around itself as well as the loop, several times, before being passed back out through the loop in the opposite direction from which it started.

Attaching Line To Leaders

Possible misnamed, the nail knot actually uses a hollow tube, such as a short section of a plastic straw to make these fly fishing knots. Placing ends of two lines together, one line remains straight while the other is wrapped about a dozen times around the first string and the plastic tube, held to the line by one hand.

Once the wrapping is complete, pass the loose end of the line through the tube, which also passes it through the loops on inside of the second line. Remove the tube and pull both ends tight. These fly fishing knots can also be used to attach a leader butt to the fly line.

It may not seem like a big deal to beginner by tying fly fishing knots can create enough friction to damage the line. Before tying any fly fishing knots, the line should be lubricated by either saliva or water and by it being wet, helps the knot remain strong when it dries. Additionally, when tying fly fishing knots, the two ends should be drawn tight evenly, with equal pull from both directions. Always test the strength of the knot before casting as it is better to find out a knot is loose before a fish strikes the fly.