General
Published: 19th of August 2022 • Last updated: 28th of August 2023
There are five popular knots that you can use to securely connect your fly line, leader, tippet, and fly. In this article, we’ll start with the fly line-to-leader connection and work down to the fly. Let’s get started!
To create a smooth transition between your fly line and your leader, install a stiff piece of monofilament to the end of your fly line using a Nail Knot. With the loop you’ll create on the other end, you’ll have a reusable connection point for attaching leaders. Grab the butt end of a used leader or a fresh piece of stiff mono and tie a Nail Knot, as described here.
You can read our step-by-step guide to tie the Nail Knot here.
Use the stub of mono you’ve attached to your fly line to install a Perfection Loop so you can change out leaders with ease. Start by trimming the mono down to about 5", then follow the steps below.
If your leader doesn’t already have a loop, repeat the steps above to add a Perfection Loop to the end of your leader.
You can read our step-by-step guide to tie the Perfection Loop knot here.
With a loop at the end of your fly line and another at the end of your leader, connect the loops as described for a Loop-to-Loop connection.
You can read our step-by-step guide to tie the Loop-to-Loop connection knot here.
To attach the leader to your tippet, you can use a Surgeon’s Knot. It’s smooth, strong, and easy to tie.
When using a Surgeon’s Knot to connect your leader to your tippet, each time you replace the tippet, you’ll slightly shorten your leader. Instead, consider using a tippet ring, a small (2-3mm) ring that attaches to the small end of your leader. When replacing tippet material, you simply tie directly to the tippet ring. For both the leader knot and the tippet knot, you can use a Cinch Knot, which is our final topic.
You can read our step-by-step guide to tie the Surgeon's knot here.
The Clinch Knot is a popular knot for attaching a fly to your tippet.
You can read our step-by-step guide to tie the Cinch knot here.
We have made an overview of all knots relevant to fly fishing, each with clear step-by-step instructions. You can view all knots here.
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