Anglers who are new to fly fishing often find that this type of fishing takes time and practice to master, but in time, it will become one of the more rewarding and satisfying forms of the sport. One of the sport’s most challenging aspects is casting. Another is tying reliable knots. But before you can master the former, you have to have a sound understanding of the latter.
Here are six fly fishing knots for beginners that you can start practicing today so by the time you get out on the water you can start working on that cast.
Uni Knot
A Uni Knot is a solid workhorse of a knot that is capable of working with every type of connection. To make it, you run the line through the eye of the hook, then double back parallel to the standing line. Make a loop by laying tag end over the doubled line and then make six turns with the tag end around the double line and through the loop. Next, moisten the lines and pull the tag end to tighten the turns. Now you can slide the knot down to the eye or leave a small loop depending on the intended use.
Arbor Knot
An Arbor Knot is a good knot for beginners to learn because it is useful for tying fly backing to a reel. It can also be used for tying fishing line to the spool of a fishing reel. To make an Arbor Knot, you have to wrap the line around the arbor of the spool with the tag end of the line. Next, tie a simple overhand knot around the standing part with the tag end. Tie a second overhand knot in the tag end about an inch or two from the first overhand knot. Lastly, pull the standing part of the line to slide the first overhand knot down to the spool and then the second knot against the first. Trim the tag end close and the knot is made.
Non-Slip Loop Knot
A Non-Slip Loop Knot enables your fly to wiggle and shake in the water because unlike other knots, this one doesn’t restrict the fly’s motion. And, natural fly movement is important if you want to attract fish. To make this knot you have to make an overhand knot in the line about ten inches from the end. Pass the tag end through the hook eye and back through the loop of the overhand knot. Next, you want to wrap the tag end around the standing part at least five times. Bring the tag end back through the overhand knot, entering from same side it previously exited. Moisten the knot and then pull slowly on the tag end to cinch the wraps loosely together. Finally, pull the loop and the standing line in opposite directions to seat the knot and trim the tag end close.
Surgeon's Knot
A Surgeon's Knot is useful when you need to join two different diameter lines, such as when you have to tie a tippet to a leader. To make a Surgeon’s Knot you have to lay the line and leader on top of one another so that they overlap each other by several inches. Next, form a simple loop and pass both the tag end and the entire leader through the loop two times. Moisten knot and pull all four ends tight to tie the lines together.
Nail Knot
A Nail Knot is the knot you’re going to want to use for your fly line-leader connection. This is one of the more complex fly fishing knots because in order to make it you need a nail-knot tool (or a regular nail or small tube will also work). To make this knot you lay the nail-knot tool against the end of a fly line. Set the butt section end of the leader against the line and the tool. Leave an extra ten to twelve inches of tag end so you can tie the knot. Next, make at least six close wraps, working left to right, back around the leader, line and tool. Pass the tag end through the space being taken up by the nail-knot tool and remove the tool as the tag end enters. Pull the tag end to tighten down the coils then pull the tag end and the leader to firmly seat the knot onto the fly line. Trim the tag end as close to the knot as possible and the Nail Knot is complete.
Albright Special Knot
The Albright Special Knot is used to tie two lines of unequal diameter together, such as the backing to the fly line. When it is tied properly, this knot slides easily through the guides. To make the Albright Special Knot, you have to make a loop in the heavier line and then run about ten inches of the lighter line through the loop. While holding the three lines between your thumb and index finger, wrap the light line back over itself and both strands of the loop. Next, make ten turns (tightly wrapped) and feed the tag end back through the loop and then bring it out through the same side as it entered. Hold both ends of the heavy line and then slide the wraps to the end of the loop. Lastly, pull the light line to tighten the knot and cut the tag end as close to the knot as possible.
Visit Intracoastal Angler’s Fishing Store in Wilmington NC for all of Your Fly Fishing Needs
If you’re new to fly fishing, Intracoastal Angler’s fishing store in Wilmington NC is where you can find everything you need to enjoy a fun and successful day of fishing. We have all of the gear, clothing, supplies, and bait for every angler’s needs as well as all the tips, advice, and resources you need to better your results. Our website offers up-to-the-minute weather reports and even more free fishing tips and advice. For more information, just give us a call today at 910-392-3500 or stop in our fishing store in Wilmington NC at 6332 Oleander Drive.
Here are six fly fishing knots for beginners that you can start practicing today so by the time you get out on the water you can start working on that cast.
Uni Knot
A Uni Knot is a solid workhorse of a knot that is capable of working with every type of connection. To make it, you run the line through the eye of the hook, then double back parallel to the standing line. Make a loop by laying tag end over the doubled line and then make six turns with the tag end around the double line and through the loop. Next, moisten the lines and pull the tag end to tighten the turns. Now you can slide the knot down to the eye or leave a small loop depending on the intended use.
Arbor Knot
An Arbor Knot is a good knot for beginners to learn because it is useful for tying fly backing to a reel. It can also be used for tying fishing line to the spool of a fishing reel. To make an Arbor Knot, you have to wrap the line around the arbor of the spool with the tag end of the line. Next, tie a simple overhand knot around the standing part with the tag end. Tie a second overhand knot in the tag end about an inch or two from the first overhand knot. Lastly, pull the standing part of the line to slide the first overhand knot down to the spool and then the second knot against the first. Trim the tag end close and the knot is made.
Non-Slip Loop Knot
A Non-Slip Loop Knot enables your fly to wiggle and shake in the water because unlike other knots, this one doesn’t restrict the fly’s motion. And, natural fly movement is important if you want to attract fish. To make this knot you have to make an overhand knot in the line about ten inches from the end. Pass the tag end through the hook eye and back through the loop of the overhand knot. Next, you want to wrap the tag end around the standing part at least five times. Bring the tag end back through the overhand knot, entering from same side it previously exited. Moisten the knot and then pull slowly on the tag end to cinch the wraps loosely together. Finally, pull the loop and the standing line in opposite directions to seat the knot and trim the tag end close.
Surgeon's Knot
A Surgeon's Knot is useful when you need to join two different diameter lines, such as when you have to tie a tippet to a leader. To make a Surgeon’s Knot you have to lay the line and leader on top of one another so that they overlap each other by several inches. Next, form a simple loop and pass both the tag end and the entire leader through the loop two times. Moisten knot and pull all four ends tight to tie the lines together.
Nail Knot
A Nail Knot is the knot you’re going to want to use for your fly line-leader connection. This is one of the more complex fly fishing knots because in order to make it you need a nail-knot tool (or a regular nail or small tube will also work). To make this knot you lay the nail-knot tool against the end of a fly line. Set the butt section end of the leader against the line and the tool. Leave an extra ten to twelve inches of tag end so you can tie the knot. Next, make at least six close wraps, working left to right, back around the leader, line and tool. Pass the tag end through the space being taken up by the nail-knot tool and remove the tool as the tag end enters. Pull the tag end to tighten down the coils then pull the tag end and the leader to firmly seat the knot onto the fly line. Trim the tag end as close to the knot as possible and the Nail Knot is complete.
Albright Special Knot
The Albright Special Knot is used to tie two lines of unequal diameter together, such as the backing to the fly line. When it is tied properly, this knot slides easily through the guides. To make the Albright Special Knot, you have to make a loop in the heavier line and then run about ten inches of the lighter line through the loop. While holding the three lines between your thumb and index finger, wrap the light line back over itself and both strands of the loop. Next, make ten turns (tightly wrapped) and feed the tag end back through the loop and then bring it out through the same side as it entered. Hold both ends of the heavy line and then slide the wraps to the end of the loop. Lastly, pull the light line to tighten the knot and cut the tag end as close to the knot as possible.
Visit Intracoastal Angler’s Fishing Store in Wilmington NC for all of Your Fly Fishing Needs
If you’re new to fly fishing, Intracoastal Angler’s fishing store in Wilmington NC is where you can find everything you need to enjoy a fun and successful day of fishing. We have all of the gear, clothing, supplies, and bait for every angler’s needs as well as all the tips, advice, and resources you need to better your results. Our website offers up-to-the-minute weather reports and even more free fishing tips and advice. For more information, just give us a call today at 910-392-3500 or stop in our fishing store in Wilmington NC at 6332 Oleander Drive.
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