Fly Fishing Knots: Complete Guide

Fly fishing uses a system of knots at every connection point, from the reel arbor to the hook point. Unlike conventional fishing, where one or two knots cover most situations, fly fishing requires a different knot at each of five distinct connections — each optimized for that junction’s specific demands.

The Fly Fishing System

Reel arbor
    ↓ Arbor Knot
Backing (20–30lb Dacron, 100–150 yards)
    ↓ Nail Knot or Albright Knot
Fly line (90 feet, thick plastic-coated)
    ↓ Nail Knot or Loop-to-Loop
Tapered leader (7.5–12 feet, monofilament)
    ↓ Surgeon's Knot or Blood Knot
Tippet (12–36 inches, thin monofilament or fluorocarbon)
    ↓ Improved Clinch or Davy Knot
Fly

Understanding which knot goes where — and why — is the foundation of fly fishing setup.

Connection 1: Backing to Reel — Arbor Knot

The backing (thick braided Dacron) goes on the reel first. The Arbor Knot ties backing to the reel arbor:

1. Loop the backing around the reel arbor
2. Tie an overhand knot around the standing line with the tag end
3. Tie a second overhand knot 1 inch from the first as a stopper
4. Pull until the first overhand cinches against the arbor

This is a simple jam knot. Strength doesn’t need to be exceptional — if a fish runs all the way to the backing knot, the drag should have handled the situation long before.

Connection 2: Fly Line to Backing — Nail Knot

The fly line is connected to the backing using a Nail Knot. This connection must be smooth enough to pass through rod guides when a big fish runs.

Why the Nail Knot: The fly line is much thicker than the backing. The Nail Knot wraps the backing around the fly line’s braided inner core, creating a compact, smooth junction.

How to tie:

1. Lay the fly line tip, backing tag end, and a hollow tube (nail, toothpick, or specialty tool) parallel
2. Wrap the backing tag end 6 times around the fly line and tube
3. Pass the tag end through the tube
4. Remove the tube, pulling the tag end through the wraps
5. Moisten and cinch both ends
6. Trim tag

Full instructions: Nail Knot

Connection 3: Leader to Fly Line — Nail Knot or Loop-to-Loop

Option A: Nail Knot (traditional)

Same knot as above, but this time wrapping the leader butt around the fly line tip. Creates a permanent connection with a smooth profile.

Option B: Loop-to-Loop (modern, recommended)

Most fly lines now have a factory-welded loop at the tip. Most commercial leaders have a loop at the butt end. Connect with loop-to-loop:

1. Pass the fly line loop through the leader loop
2. Pass the entire leader through the fly line loop
3. Pull snug — the two loops interlock

This takes 5 seconds and allows instant leader changes in the field.

Connection 4: Tippet to Leader — Surgeon’s Knot

The Surgeon’s Knot (also called the Surgeon’s Join) connects the tippet to the leader tip. It’s fast, reliable, and works even when there’s a significant diameter difference between the two lines.

How to tie:

1. Overlap the leader tip and tippet tip by 6 inches
2. Hold both strands together and form a loop
3. Pass both strands through the loop twice (Double Surgeon’s)
4. Moisten and pull all four tag ends simultaneously
5. Trim both tags to 1/8 inch

Full instructions: Surgeon’s Knot

Connection 5: Fly to Tippet — Improved Clinch or Davy Knot

Improved Clinch Knot (Most Common)

The Improved Clinch Knot is the standard fly attachment for most situations. Use for all flies size 12 and larger.

How to tie:

1. Thread tippet through the hook eye
2. Make 5 wraps (4 wraps for heavy tippet 0X–2X)
3. Pass the tag end through the loop near the eye, then through the large loop
4. Moisten and pull the standing line

Full instructions: Improved Clinch Knot

Davy Knot (Small Flies)

For tiny hooks (size 18–24), the Improved Clinch has too much bulk in the wrap coils. The Davy Knot is the fastest, smallest reliable fly attachment:

1. Thread tippet through the eye
2. Pass the tag over the standing line, then through the resulting loop once
3. Pull tight

Just two movements, very small finished profile. Strength is slightly lower than the Improved Clinch but adequate for small flies and light tippet.

Quick Reference: Fly Fishing Knots

Related Guides

• How to Tie a Fly to Tippet
• Best Tippet Knots for Fly Fishing
• Nail Knot for Fly Line
• Blood Knot for Fly Fishing Leaders
• Tippet vs Leader
• Best Fly Fishing Knots for Trout