5 Useful Knots to Know for Fly Fishing
- Marc Fryt
- Feb 6, 2023
- 6 min read
Updated: 18 hours ago
Do you find tying knots to be one of the most frustrating parts of fly fishing? Are you reluctant to change flies because knot-tying feels like too much hassle? If so, this article is for you. Fly fishing requires frequent tying—whether changing flies, modifying your leader, or when using a two-fly setup. With so many knots available, it's easy to become overwhelmed.
It’s also easy to get caught up in debates about which knots are the best. Yes, certain knots might be stronger than others, but numerous factors influence knot performance—such as the diameter and material of the monofilament, hook-eye size, and even your tying technique. Ultimately, the debate over "which knot is best" doesn't matter if you can't comfortably and effectively tie the knot when you’re on the water.
This article isn't about determining the absolute best knots. Instead, it provides a practical selection of knots suitable for a wide range of fly fishing scenarios. In this guide, I'll cover:
Common uses for each knot in fly fishing.
Practical tips for tying each knot, along with video links for step-by-step instructions.
Insights into when and why I prefer these specific knots.
Learning and consistently using these knots has greatly increased my self-reliance as an angler and maximized my actual fishing time. You may find these knots as beneficial as I have, or you might discover other knots better suited to your style and fishing locations. Either way, I hope this article reduces knot-related confusion and helps you spend more time enjoying your fishing and less time struggling with knots.
If you are new to fly fishing, the best advice I can give you is to learn these knots and practice tying them in the comfort of your home. Once you can tie well and consistently, you'll find yourself less stressed out when a fly breaks off your leader or when you need to swap to a different fly pattern. Doing this sets you up for greater success with getting a fish in the net.
General Tips for Tying Fishing Knots
To help with learning how to tie the knots listed below, there are some general tips to keep in mind:
Buy a spool of cheap monofilament to practice tying your knots. Monofilament is "fishing line," which is sold in every tackle and fly shop.
Spools of monofilament are labeled with break-strength and diameter. Ignore the break-strength for now and just choose a cheap spool of monofilament that has a diameter of around .011 inches which is a good diameter for practicing the knots listed below.
When you tie any knot, you will need to lubricate the monofilament with spit or water before pulling on and tightening the knot.
Lubricating the monofilament reduces the amount of friction and heat that is transferred into the monofilament when tightening the knot. Less friction and less heat helps the monofilament retain more of its material strength.
Clinch Knot
The clinch knot is simple to tie, has several applications in fishing, and when tied well it doesn't waste a lot of monofilament. If you are new to tying knots, I would recommend practicing the clinch knot first before moving on to more difficult knots.
Video: How to Tie a Clinch Knot
The clinch knot is a reliable choice when tying monofilament to hooks size 8 and smaller (like 10, 12, 14, etc.). It’s also handy for connecting monofilament to tippet rings or swivels, if you’re using those. That said, the clinch knot becomes harder to tie well with larger hooks, where other knots may perform better (more on that below).
However, there are situations where the clinch knot can fail. Its most common weakness is slipping—especially under stress. Thankfully, when it does slip, the failure is easy to spot. If your fly pops off the leader and you notice the end of your line coiled into a little spiral or “pig’s tail,” that’s a clear sign the clinch knot gave out.
There are a few simple ways to prevent this kind of failure, especially when you’ve got a fish on that you really want to land.
How to Seat the Clinch Knot Properly
After tying the clinch knot, hold the hook in one hand and, with your other hand, firmly and smoothly pull the line. If you feel the monofilament moving in your hand, the knot hasn’t seated properly. Keep pulling, and the knot is likely to slip—leaving you with that dreaded pig’s tail.
To avoid this, once the knot is snug, give the line one smooth, firm pull. If you don’t feel any movement or slipping, your knot is properly seated and ready to fish.
Retie After Stress
If you’ve just landed a large fish, caught several smaller ones, or had to yank your fly free from a snag, it’s smart to clip the fly off and retie a fresh clinch knot. Repeated stress weakens the knot and increases the chance it will slip when it matters most.
It may feel tedious, but failing to retie could cost you the next fish—and maybe it’s the one you’ve been hoping for. I’ve learned this the hard way: losing a good fish because I didn’t take 30 seconds to retie the knot. Don’t let that happen to you.
Non-Slip Loop Knot
The non-slip loop knot is commonly used when tying monofilament to larger hooks—typically size 6, 4, 2, and beyond. It’s stronger than the clinch knot and has the added advantage of forming a loop in front of the hook eye, which allows the fly more freedom to move. When you're aiming to maximize a fly’s movement in the water, this is a great knot to use.
That said, there are a couple of downsides. First, the non-slip loop knot uses up more monofilament when tying it, which can be a concern if you’re running low. Second, if the loop is tied too large, the fly can swing excessively and foul itself in the leader, reducing its effectiveness.
Tips for Tying the Non-Slip Loop Knot
Keep the loop small—ideally around the same size or no more than twice the size of the hook eye. Anything larger increases the chances of the fly fouling in the leader.
When tightening the knot, bring the overhand knot close to the hook eye and keep it there as you snug it down. This helps maintain a tight, well-sized loop.
I also like to use hemostats to hold the tag end while finishing the knot—it helps with grip and makes it easier to pull everything snug and secure.
Triple Surgeon's Knot
The triple surgeon’s knot is one of two knots I use for joining a piece of monofilament to a leader, especially when using monofilament that is .008 inches (3X) and smaller. It’s simple, strong, and also works well even when connecting fluorocarbon to nylon monofilament—a tricky combination due to fluorocarbon’s tendency to slip. Of the available options, the triple surgeon’s knot is one of the most reliable for splicing these two materials together.
Another great feature of this knot is its versatility: it can be used to build a two-fly rig, such as a dry-dropper setup, by leaving a tag end long enough to attach a second fly.
Blood Knot
When working with larger-diameter monofilament, the triple surgeon’s knot tends to become too bulky and can create a noticeable hinge in the leader. If you're using monofilament around .009 inches or thicker, consider switching to a blood knot instead. While the blood knot is a bit more challenging to tie than the triple surgeon’s knot, it creates a much sleeker, more streamlined connection—and with a little practice, it becomes second nature.
Video: Tying the Blood Knot
Perfection Loop
The perfection loop is the small loop you’ll often find at the end of a packaged leader—it’s what you use to connect the leader to the welded loop on your fly line. However, there are times when you may need to re-tie that loop, whether it's worn out or you're building a custom leader from scratch. In either case, knowing how to tie the perfection loop is an essential skill for any fly angler.
Video: Tying the Perfection Loop
Other Knots to Check Out
Orvis Knot- Has better strength than a clinch knot (in my opinion), but it can be finicky to finish tying the knot and will take practice.
Trilene Knot- This knot is just a clinch knot that is passed through the hook eye twice rather than just once, which makes it a stronger knot than the clinch knot. It is a good knot to use when tying monofilament to a tippet ring or swivel.
16/20 Knot- A very strong knot, especially if you want to tie very thin monofilament onto larger hook sizes, for example when tying 5X (.006 inches) monofilament onto a size 12 hook. It is a difficult knot to learn, but worth the effort.
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