Simple but Effective Fishing Knots and How to Tie Them

If, like us, you prefer to keep things really simple then here are all the knots you need and how to tie them:

Arbor knot	For joining the backing to the spindle (arbor) of a fly reel
Water knot	For joining lengths of nylon together to make up leaders
Blood knot	For tying flies on to the leader
Needle knot	For joining the leader butt (also the backing) to a fly line

General points
Knots are the weakest part of a fishing outfit; don't let yours be weaker than they need be...

Wet all knots before slowly pulling them tight. This lubricates the surface and reduces friction, which may otherwise heat up and weaken the nylon. To do this, spit on the knot rather than putting it in your mouth; that way you do not transfer bacteria from the river of lake to your mouth.
So-called 'double-strength' nylon should be used only when necessary, and then only for the very finest section of your leader. Ordinary nylon has greater stretch and shock-absorbing capacity.

Arbor knot

Loop the backing around the reel arbor and tie a double overhand knot at the end of the loose end.
With the loose end tie an overhand knot around the backing line.
Tighten the overhand knot around the backing line while bringing the double overhand knot at the loose end close to the backing line.
Pull on the backing until both knots touch and slide hard against the arbor. Job done!

Water knot

	Lay the two lengths of nylon alongside one another with the long end of the finer nylon to your right (to your left if you are left handed).
	Wet the overlapping sections so that they cling together, and then form a large loop.
	Bring the longer end of the tippet nylon and the short end of the heavier nylon over and through the back of the loop, as in an overhand knot. Do not pull tight, but repeat step three making sure both ends pass through the loop.
	Pull on all four ends to close knot. Use thumbnails to push turns close together as you pull on main line and tippet. Trim off unwanted ends.
Notes: If the two lengths of nylon are of significantly different thickness, repeat step three to make a three-turn water knot. It is bulkier but stronger than a two-turn water knot, especially when dissimilar strength nylon sections are being joined. If using one of the short ends as a dropper, always trim off the lighter nylon and attach the fly to the heavier nylon. Even though it hangs out invitingly, using the thinner end as a dropper is unwise: the knot opens up and will break easily if a fish pulls on the dropper hook. (Even if the two pieces are of equal strength, always use as the dropper the end that hangs down towards the tippet of the leader.)

Tucked half blood knot

	Thread the leader tippet through the eye of the hook, leaving at least four inches (10 cm) of spare material to complete the knot.
	Wrap the loose end of the tippet around the leader five times. Bring the loose end of the tippet over to the hook, and insert it through the loop of nylon you have now made in front of the eye of the hook.
	Bring the loose end back up and pass it through the new loop you created in step 3.
	Pull the knot down slowly, using a thumb nail to bring the turns close behind the eye. Do not pull tight yet... Spit on the knot to lubricate it. Tighten the knot by pulling on the leader with the hook bend secured on the ring of your scissors. Jiggle to fully tighten the knot. Now trim off the spare end.

Needle knot
Tricky to master at first, this is by far the best leader attachment knot of all. With practice, you can tie one in less than two minutes, and it will last a season or two.

	Prepare the leader butt by cutting it at a slant to make a point. Insert a needle into the end of the fly line and out of the side, as shown. (Rotating the needle to eases its passage through the fly line core.)
	Keep the fly line folded back as you withdraw the needle and insert the leader but, threading 20 cm (8 inches) out of the side of the line.
	Wrap four or five turns loosely around the fly line Fold the end of the leader back to create loop A Fold the leader a second time to create loop B.
	Hold loop B alongside the end of the fly line where the final knot is to be, and now unwind the five turns, covering loop B with each turn. While preventing the turns from uncoiling, pull on both free ends of the nylon
	Finally, push turns closely together, tighten fully and trim off the loose end of leader butt.

Email us for advice
We always do our best to answer email requests for help. Replies are usually emailed within a week... and if we don't know the answer we really do admit it. But before emailing us with your question, please check that it is not one already answered on our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.

Download our Flyfishing Courses Brochure here:

First Nature
Bwlchgwyn, Rhydlewis, Llandysul SA44 5RE
Telephone: 01239 851952
Email us...

Top of page...