As every angler will find out sooner or later that an incorrectly tied fishing knot will cost you either your favorite lure, or a really nice fish. It’s amusing how, over time, the one that got away with your favorite lure becomes the biggest fish that ever navigated your memories.
Fly fisherman are at a slight disadvantage when it comes to tying knots; unlike conventional fisherman who typically rely on a single line and perhaps one main knot, a fly fisherman has to rely on and master multiple fly fishing knots; each tied at different points along a segmented line.
The variety of knots a fly fisherman uses in a well constructed line are not difficult to master. Because the line is constructed in three segments, with a reel at one end and a fly attached to the other, it becomes necessary to blend those sections as efficiently as possible using five strong knots. Given the long history of fly fish angling several suitable knots have come down through the ages.
Some of the most widely used: Albright, nail, barrel, surgeon, clinch, and Duncan. Knowledge of these six knots will enhance your fly fishing experience immeasurably and make you look like a pro even if you don’t catch anything.
A typical fly fishing line includes the following sections: fly line, leader, and tippet. These individual sections are tied together in the following order using the knots described above: The fly line is tied to the reel using an Albright or nail knot with the other end tied to the leader. The fly-line/leader conjunction is tied with a nail knot. The far end of the leader is then tied to the tippet with either a barrel or surgeons knot. A clinch or Duncan knot are used to tie the fly to the end of the tippet.
When fishing there is nothing more aggravating than a failed knot interrupting your concentration. A well constructed fly-line tied together with time-honored dependable knots will provide you with the best chance of landing that one big fish that might have otherwise gotten away. So grab a fly fishing knots now like Okuma Integrity or Pflueger Medalist fly reel.
