Fly Fishing Knots

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Fly Fishing Knots

The knots used are the critical part of fly fishing. If the knot is weak or poorly tied...fish are lost. There are various types of knots that are used for tying the leader to the fly line, leader to tippet, and the fly to the line. Here are a few knots that are used.
"Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught."
NAIL KNOT
The Nail Knot is used to tie the leader to the fly line.

- Lay the fly line against the leader so that the tails (ends) are going in opposite directions.
- Wrap the leader tail back around itself and the fly line 5 times, keeping open loops on each.
- Push the tail of the leader back through the loops that were made on the wraps.
- Pull on the tails slowly to cinch down the leader. Snip the tails.

BLOOD KNOT
The Blood Knot is used to tie tippet and leader together. A very strong and streamline knot. Ties together lines of similar size as well as different sized lines.

- Lay the lines so that the tails are going opposite directions. Form an 'X' with them.
- Wrap one end around the main line going away from the 'X'. Put the tail in front of the wraps in the middleof the "X".
-Wrap the other tail around the line like the first step.
- Put the tail through the "X" where the other tail is going in the opposite direction.
- Pull the lines to cinch, snip the tails.

IMPROVED CLINCH KNOT
The improved Clinch is used to tie a fly to the tippet.

- Pull the line through the eye of the hook forming a loop.
- Twist the line 5 times and pull the tail through the small loop above the eye of the hook.
- Pull the line a little then run the tail back up through the loop formed at the top of the twist.
- Pull the line to cinch, Snip the tail.

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