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Advice > Knots

Beginners sometimes find fishing knots a bit daunting. In reality, the fly fisher needs to know only a few reliable knots. Once learned, you never forget them.


5) For attaching monofil to an eyed hook, swivel, etc.


Use the Tucked Half-Blood Knot (in America, called the Improved Clinch Knot). For up or down-eyed hooks, the single or double Turle Knot keep the hook shank in line with the leader.

arbor knot

Tying the double Turle knot

nail knot

6) For forming a loop in monofil.


Use a Figure-of-Eight Loop Knot. (Alternatives: the Water Loop (Surgeon’s Loop) and the Perfection Loop).


Kneedle knot

7) For joining two loops.


Pass the loop connected to the fly line through the leader loop, then pass the leader tippet through the fly line loop. Draw together to form the Loop-to-Loop or Handshake Knot.


two-turn water knot & blood knot

tip Moisten all nylon knots with saliva but only then pull gently to tighten. A sudden jerk will compress the nylon too far.

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