How To Tie Fly Fishing Knots

How to tie fly fishing knots can run from tying your fly line to a fly reel to tying on a favorite fly at the end of your leader.  Some are simple and some are intricate that require some practice. Whether you're fishing in a stream or lake, learning how to tie some basic knots is essential to being a successful angler. The following are some step-by-step instructions for tying fly fishing knots an angler should know.

To tie fly fishing knots, you will need:

• A small tube or small section of a drinking straw
• Clippers

1. Learn to tie the arbor knot, which is simple and easy to tie. It's used to attach a backing to the fishing reel, or "arbor."  Backing line is used to add volume to a fly reel so the fly line can be unspooled quickly from the reel. Start by passing the tag or end of the backing around the arbor twice. Take the free end and tie a simple overhand knot at the end and pull taut. Take the  free end and  tie a second overhand knot around the standing line. The first knot will stop the second knot from slipping. Pull the knots tight around the spool and trim with clippers. Spool the backing onto the reel.
2. Attach the end of the backing to the end of the fly line with the Albright knot. Begin by making a loop at the end of the fly line. Run the end of the backing line through the loop and wrap it around itself and the two lines of the loop 10 times. Pass the end of the line back through the loop the same way you entered it. Lubricate the knot and pull it tight, forming a compact knot that will easily flow through the guides. Trim the end close to the knot.
3. Connect the fly line to a leader with the nail knot.  Hold a small tube or drinking straw section together with the fly line and leader. Wrap the leader around the tube and fly line six times. Pass the end of the leader through the tube and tighten the knot around the tube. Slide the tube out and pull the knot tight. Moisten the knot and pull it tight. Trim the end.
4. Join two sections of leader together with the blood knot. Start by overlapping two ends of leader to be joined. Wrap one end around the other end six times. Insert the that end back between the lines. Take the other end and repeat the step. When done, insert the end back between the lines in the opposite direction to the first end. Moisten the knot and tighten. Trim the ends close to the knot.
5. Make an improved clinch knot when you want to join a hook, fly  or lure to your leader.  Start by passing the end of the line through the eye of the hook and wrap it around the standing end about five or six times. Pass the end back through the loop next to the eye. Finish by  passing the end of the line under the final turns. Pull the knot tight and trim the end.