Outdoor Federation

Best Fly Fishing Knots

Learning how to tie fly fishing knots is important to guarantee the success of any fishing technique used by the angler. While there are a lot of fly fishing knots that can be used, it is important that one must know what are the best fly fishing knots.

Best Fly Fishing Knots

The experience of trying it can be a little unnerving since there are a lot of fly knots that should be learned, and some of the fly tying knots are also difficult to make despite being provided with instruction. But through patience and perseverance, one can easily accomplish in learning the best fly fishing knots necessary in order to achieve success.

In learning about fly fishing knots, novices can start with the first few types of knots that are necessary to be learned. In this article, the following are the most popular and best fly fishing knots.

Nail knot

It is also a versatile fly tying knot, and is used as a sliding loop to the fly, to connect the backing to line, or as leader or the connector to the front end of the fly line. It is the best option if one decides to connect to lines of varying diameters, and also allows a taper of the leader material onto the fly. It is effective, versatile, and compact, and easily travels through the guides on the rod. This fly fishing knot’s variations include the Uni-knot and the Duncan’s Loop knot.

Perfection loop


While classified as a type of fly fishing knot, a perfection loops is technically not a knot. This is used to provide a loop-to-loop juncture at the end of the connector, and at the end of the leader. This fly knot somehow appears to be difficult to do, but it is just actually composed of a series of loops, with one wrapped over the other between the first too. The key to perfecting this knot for fly fishing is to form the first loop by getting the short end of the material behind the long end.

Fun Outdoor Quiz

Blood knot


Considered to be among the most difficult fly fishing knots to make, it is called a blood knot because people ‘sweat’ blood in learning how to tie it. But the truth is, this fly tying knot is definitely easy to learn, and is completely reliable due to its strength and durability. It is one of the best fly tying knots to be used in connecting two similarly-sized diameter lines. It is also perfect for building tapered leaders if the leader segments taper gradually.

Improved clinch knot


This type of fly tie knot is usually utilized to connect the tippet to the fly, and will always hold regardless of the diameter ratio, or the differences in hooks, wires and tippets. However, it is not recommended to be used with heavy or braided lines. It works best on connecting monofilament under the 20-pound test to the terminal tackle.

Surgeon’s loop


This fly tie knot is usually used in backing to the reel, since loops for fly fishing are supposed to be versatile and strong. It is a fly fishing knot that is perfect to use as a very secure way to attach the backing.

Double Surgeon’s Knot and Triple Surgeon’s Knot

It is mostly used to connect the leader to the tippet, or connecting two tippets with each other. It is among the easiest fly fishing knots to learn and make, and considered to be one of the most natural knots because of it being just a double overhand knot.

Surgeon’s knot

It helps to join two pieces of tippets together. It is perfect for an easy and quacking fly tying knot for extending the fly fishing leader or replacing worn out material.

Arbor knot


It is used to tie and secure the fly fishing line to the reel. This fly tying knot is there to help with loading the spool with backing. It is a fairly simple fly fishing knot, but is found to be a little difficult to do since it requires to link the backing to the reel.

How to effectively tie fly fishing knots

In order to make a secure and durable knot, it is advised that the knots should be moistened before pulling them slowly in order to tighten. It can be lubricated by saliva or water, just so the knot will slide and sit properly.

Excess material used in making fly fishing knots should be trimmed using nippers in order to not damage the knot that was made.

The leaders, tippets, and lines should also be well-maintained and should always be replaced when they start to wear or form abrasions.

Avoid tying the knots in a half-assed manner since it might lessen the durability of the fly fishing knot to be used by the angler. It is best and safe to make sure that the knots that are made are well-done, durable, and steady in order to assure safety.

In conclusion

Learning how to tie fly fishing knots can be tough and frustrating journey, but with practice, one can be truly successful. The more you do it, the more you get used to it and become well-versed in fly tying knots. Spend a little extra time practicing the fly fishing knots, and you will eventually graduate from being a novice angler to becoming a more experienced fisherman.

Once you have learned how to tie your fly fishing knots, always remember to check them and give them a solid inspection before casting your line. Make sure the knots are tight before getting it in the water in order to guarantee a good catch while fishing.

Learning how to tie fly fishing knots is not just a skill that is important for hobbyists who love fishing, but is also a necessary skill for survival. Fly fishermen depend on these knots, and if done wrong, the improperly tied fly fishing knot will result in lost fish and great frustration, something one must avoid.

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