Just behind poor fishing technique and inept netting technique the most prolific reason for fish being lost is a problem with a knot. There are more knots than you can poke a stick at that can be used in fly fishing and over time you will settle on a few that you tie well and have confidence in. Over the years I have tried a lot of different knots and currently I have settled on the following 5 knots. I say currently because all aspects of my fly fishing are constantly evolving and if a find a better knot for any of the applications described below I will have no hesitation in swapping over to that knot.
I like to tie all my wet flies on using a loop knot because you get a much better swimming action with the fly. The loop knot I use is based on Lefty Kreh’s Loop knot and seldom lets me down.
| A |
- Tie a simple standing knot in your tippet.
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| B |
- Pass the tag end through the eye of the hook.
- Then pass the tag end through the standing knot from the same side that the tag end originally left the standing knot.
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| C |
- Twist the tag end round the standing line four times.
- Then take the tag end into the standing knot from the same side that the tag end originally left the standing knot.
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| D |
- Wet the knot.
- Pull the knot tight and trim the tag end.
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