Knots & rigging
The knots that join backing to line, line to leader, and tippet to fly, and when to use each. A lost fish is more often a knot than anything else.
17 terms in 3 groups
Line-to-line knots (7)
- Albright knotalso Albright, Albright special, Improved AlbrightA line-to-line knot that joins a heavier line to a lighter one by wrapping the lighter line around a loop in the heavier line. Common for tying backing to fly line and for connecting different-diameter mono or fluoro.
- Blood knotalso barrel knotA blood knot is a line-to-line knot used to join two pieces of similar-diameter mono or fluorocarbon, most often leader to tippet.
- Double surgeon's knotalso Double surgeon knotA double surgeon’s knot is a quick line-to-line knot for joining two pieces of leader or tippet. It uses two wraps through an overhand loop to add grip and strength.
- Double uni knotalso Uni-to-uni knot, Double uni, Uni knot to uni knotA line-to-line knot made by tying two uni knots back-to-back and snugging them together. It’s commonly used to join leader to tippet, or mono to fluorocarbon.
- Surgeon's knotalso Surgeon knotA surgeon’s knot is a quick line-to-line knot used to join leader and tippet, or to build a dropper tag for a second fly.
- Triple surgeon's knotalso Triple surgeonA triple surgeon’s knot is a line-to-line knot made by tying a surgeon’s knot with three wraps through the loop instead of two. It’s used to join leader and tippet, especially when the diameters are different.
- Uni knotA Uni knot is a sliding, multi-wrap knot used to join two lines or to form a loop. Tied as a “double uni,” it’s a common way to connect leader sections and tippet.
Loops & line-to-reel (5)
- Arbor knotA simple knot used to attach backing to the reel spool arbor. It tightens under tension so the backing grips the spool instead of slipping.
- Dropper loopalso dropper loop knotA dropper loop is a knot that creates a loop sticking out at a right angle from the main line, so you can attach a tag or a second fly without cutting the line.
- Loop-to-loop connectionalso loop to loop, loop-to-loop, loop connection, leader loop connectionA loop-to-loop connection joins two lines by passing each loop through the other, then pulling tight. It is commonly used to attach a leader to a looped fly line or a sink tip to a running line.
- Nail knotA nail knot is a compact line-to-line knot used to attach fly line to backing, or to tie a butt section or leader directly to fly line.
- Perfection loopalso Angler's loopA Perfection loop is a small, inline fixed loop knot used to form a clean loop in leader or tippet material for loop-to-loop connections.
Tippet-to-fly knots (5)
- Clinch knotalso Clinch, Clinch knot for fly fishingA clinch knot is a simple knot for tying tippet or leader to a fly’s eye. It’s quick to tie and common for dry flies, nymphs, and small streamers.
- Davy knotalso Davy Knot, Double Davy knotA compact tippet-to-fly knot that uses a simple overhand structure. It’s popular for tiny flies because it’s quick to tie and uses very little tippet.
- Improved clinch knotalso Improved clinch, Improved clinch knot to flyA common knot for tying tippet to a fly. It’s a clinch knot with the tag end passed back through a second loop before tightening for a more secure finish.
- Non-slip loop knotalso Non-slip mono loop, Kreh loop, Mono loop knotA tippet-to-fly knot that leaves a small open loop at the hook eye. The loop lets the fly swing and track more freely than a snug knot.
- Orvis knotalso Orvis knot, Orvis tippet knotA tippet-to-fly knot that uses a doubled line through the hook eye, then a tuck back through a loop. It’s known for good strength with less twist than a clinch-style knot.