So you’ve been and bought the best fly rod you can manage and you’re raring to go. There are many different knots that can be used to attach your fly to the tippet. Some of them have advantages and some have disadvantages. The best knot for tying a fly to the tippet is one that will not come undone easily, is easy to tie quickly, and does not create an unnatural action on the rod or line.
Many people feel the best knot for fishing flies is the clinch knot because it has all three of these properties. Plus it’s very secure, with little chance of coming loose during fishing even if you accidentally snag your line on something. Unfortunately, a common occurrence in my case!
How to tie a Clinch knot
- Take the tippet, thread it through the hook eye then wind the tail around the tippet 5-7 times
- Take the end of the tippet and pass it back through the loop just above the hook.
- Moisten the line then pull it tight and your best knot for tying a fly to tippet is complete.
The best part about the clinch knot is that it also works best for tying a fly to the directly to the leader if you choose to do so.
Alternative knots for tying a fly to the tippet:
The Orvis knot is another good option for tying a fly to the tippet. It is very strong and has a low profile, making it less likely to get stuck in the guides on your rod.
How to tie an Orvis knot:
- Take the tippet, pass it through the eye of the hook and make a loop, passing the tippet end behind the tippet line
- Pass the fly line end in front of the tippet then through the loop you just made
- Take the end of the fly line head back around the second loop, several times
- Make sure there is enough slack to hold the loops together, then pull tight
- You’re done!
How to tie an Improved Cinch Knot :
This knot is the same as the ordinary Clinch knot except that you loop the tail through the loop made by the final step of the ordinary Clinch knot. This adds an extra level of security to the knot.
How to tie a Bloodknot
The blood knot is generally used to joint 2 pieces of line together. However it can be used to attach a fly. Interestingly, when used for this purpose it’s the same as the Clinch knot!
Summary
The best knot for tying fly to tippet is not difficult to learn and will work best for all different types of flies. Experiment with these different knots and find the one that works best for you.
