Home First trip Knots & connections
What are you connecting? Choose a connection to get started
Your six essentials Pick a knot, follow the steps. A good habit Practice with thicker cord first. It’s easier to see what goes where.
Tippet → fly Start here
Improved clinch 01 / 06 A familiar, snug connection for tying a fly to your tippet. A useful first knot to practice until it feels automatic.
◷ EasyDry flies & nymphs 5 steps
Follow the tag end Step-by-step animation
Gap = strand underneath
Improved clinch · original step-by-step tying study Hook eye Follow the outlined working end. 01 / 09 Thread the eye Pass the tag through the eye and leave a generous free end.
← Back ▶ Play Next → Speed ¼× ½× 1× ↺ Replay
Scrub through the tying sequence 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Five turns illustrated. Seating is simplified; real tippet changes shape as it tightens. Practice with thicker cord to make the crossings easier to follow.
Compare with the reference guide ↗
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WRITTEN STEPS · FOLLOW AT YOUR OWN PACE
1 Thread the eye Pass the tag end through the hook eye. Leave enough line to hold and wrap comfortably.
2 Make about five wraps Wrap the tag around the standing line about five times. Keep the eye-side opening; heavier line may need fewer turns.
3 Return through the small loop Bring the tag back through the opening beside the hook eye. Leave the new, larger loop open.
4 Make the final tuck Pass the tag through that larger loop. Keep the turns from overlapping.
5 Moisten & snug down Moisten the knot and draw the coils toward the eye. Pull-test the connection, then trim the tag.
↳ Remember this bit Keep wraps ordered. The extra tuck makes this an improved clinch. This guide does not recommend it above 30 lb test.
✓ Before you cast The coils sit together against the eye, with no crossed wraps. Moisten, tighten steadily, then pull-test before trimming.
See all 5 steps at once ＋ 1. Thread the eye Pass the tag end through the hook eye. Leave enough line to hold and wrap comfortably.
2. Make about five wraps Wrap the tag around the standing line about five times. Keep the eye-side opening; heavier line may need fewer turns.
3. Return through the small loop Bring the tag back through the opening beside the hook eye. Leave the new, larger loop open.
4. Make the final tuck Pass the tag through that larger loop. Keep the turns from overlapping.
5. Moisten & snug down Moisten the knot and draw the coils toward the eye. Pull-test the connection, then trim the tag.
Tying reference: Improved clinch · Animated Knots by Grog ↗
Tippet → fly More movement
Non-slip mono loop 02 / 06 A fixed loop that gives a fly room to move. Useful when you want a streamer to swing and turn freely.
◷ A little practiceStreamers & moving flies 6 steps
Follow the tag end Step-by-step animation
Gap = strand underneath
Non-slip mono loop · original step-by-step tying study Hook eye Follow the outlined working end. 01 / 11 Loose overhand Start with an open overhand; keep its opening visible.
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Scrub through the tying sequence 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Five-turn example corresponds to the reference’s 8–12 lb range. See its table for other strengths. Seating is schematic. Practice with thicker cord to make the crossings easier to follow.
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WRITTEN STEPS · FOLLOW AT YOUR OWN PACE
1 Start with an overhand Make a loose overhand knot in the tippet. Leave it open while you build the rest of the knot.
2 Thread the hook eye Pass the tag through the hook eye, keeping the overhand knot loose.
3 Return through the overhand Bring the tag back through the open overhand knot. This leaves a loop through the hook eye.
4 Wrap above the overhand Wind the tag around the standing line. The reference specifies five turns for 8–12 lb; see its table for other strengths.
5 Return from the same side Enter the overhand knot from the side where the tag last came out.
6 Set the loop & tighten Adjust the open loop while loose. Moisten, tighten, pull-test and trim. The loop should retain its size.
↳ Remember this bit On the final return, enter the overhand knot from the side the tag last exited. Set loop size before tightening.
✓ Before you cast The loop stays open under tension. Coils are seated neatly above it, and the tag returns through the original overhand knot.
See all 6 steps at once ＋ 1. Start with an overhand Make a loose overhand knot in the tippet. Leave it open while you build the rest of the knot.
2. Thread the hook eye Pass the tag through the hook eye, keeping the overhand knot loose.
3. Return through the overhand Bring the tag back through the open overhand knot. This leaves a loop through the hook eye.
4. Wrap above the overhand Wind the tag around the standing line. The reference specifies five turns for 8–12 lb; see its table for other strengths.
5. Return from the same side Enter the overhand knot from the side where the tag last came out.
6. Set the loop & tighten Adjust the open loop while loose. Moisten, tighten, pull-test and trim. The loop should retain its size.
Tying reference: Non-slip mono loop · Animated Knots by Grog ↗
Leader → tippet Start here
Double surgeon’s 03 / 06 A straightforward join for leader and tippet, including moderately different diameters. Tie it before attaching the fly.
◷ EasyQuick tippet changes 5 steps
Follow the paired ends Step-by-step animation
Gap = strand underneath
Double surgeon’s · original step-by-step tying study Left: leader standing + tippet tag · marked ends: leader tag + free tippet Follow the outlined working end. 01 / 05 Overlap the lines Leader and tippet point in opposite directions.
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Scrub through the tying sequence 1 2 3 4 5
Both colors follow the doubled path together. Tightening is simplified; no extra coils are added. Practice with thicker cord to make the crossings easier to follow.
Compare with the reference guide ↗
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WRITTEN STEPS · FOLLOW AT YOUR OWN PACE
1 Overlap the two lines Lay the leader and tippet alongside each other, pointing in opposite directions, with a generous overlap.
2 Form a shared loop Treat both strands as one. Make an overhand loop in the overlapping section.
3 First pass Pass the leader tag and the entire free length of tippet together through the loop.
4 Second pass Take those same two ends through the same loop again. There are two passes in total.
5 Tighten all four ends Moisten and gently draw all four ends together. Seat the knot evenly, pull-test, then trim the tags.
↳ Remember this bit The whole free length of tippet passes through the loop twice, together with the leader’s tag.
✓ Before you cast All four ends draw down evenly into one compact knot. Moisten before tightening, pull-test, then trim both tags.
See all 5 steps at once ＋ 1. Overlap the two lines Lay the leader and tippet alongside each other, pointing in opposite directions, with a generous overlap.
2. Form a shared loop Treat both strands as one. Make an overhand loop in the overlapping section.
3. First pass Pass the leader tag and the entire free length of tippet together through the loop.
4. Second pass Take those same two ends through the same loop again. There are two passes in total.
5. Tighten all four ends Moisten and gently draw all four ends together. Seat the knot evenly, pull-test, then trim the tags.
Tying reference: Double surgeon’s · Animated Knots by Grog ↗
Leader → tippet Neat join
Blood knot 04 / 06 A tidy connection for two lines of similar diameter. Useful for joining tippet or building sections of a leader.
◷ A little practiceSimilar line diameters 6 steps
Follow the tag end Step-by-step animation
Gap = strand underneath
Blood knot · original step-by-step tying study Leader standing Tippet standing Follow the outlined working end. 01 / 16 Overlap and hold the center Leave room for six turns on each side.
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Scrub through the tying sequence 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Six turns per side illustrated; the reference specifies five to seven. The tags pass through the center in opposite directions. Seating is schematic. Practice with thicker cord to make the crossings easier to follow.
Compare with the reference guide ↗
Enable JavaScript for the animation, or follow the written steps and reference guide.
WRITTEN STEPS · FOLLOW AT YOUR OWN PACE
1 Cross the lines Overlap the two ends and cross them, leaving enough tag on each side to make the wraps.
2 Wrap the first side Wrap one tag around the other standing line five to seven times. Hold the central opening.
3 Return the first tag Bring that tag back through the central opening between the lines.
4 Wrap the second side Wrap the second tag around the other standing line five to seven times.
5 Return in the opposite direction Put the second tag through the same central opening, in the opposite direction to the first tag.
6 Draw the coils together Moisten, then pull both standing lines steadily. Let the coils seat together; pull-test and trim both tags.
↳ Remember this bit The two tags go through the central opening in opposite directions. Hold that opening while making the second set of wraps.
✓ Before you cast Two orderly sets of coils meet at the center. The tags emerge on opposite sides. Moisten and pull steadily on both standing lines.
See all 6 steps at once ＋ 1. Cross the lines Overlap the two ends and cross them, leaving enough tag on each side to make the wraps.
2. Wrap the first side Wrap one tag around the other standing line five to seven times. Hold the central opening.
3. Return the first tag Bring that tag back through the central opening between the lines.
4. Wrap the second side Wrap the second tag around the other standing line five to seven times.
5. Return in the opposite direction Put the second tag through the same central opening, in the opposite direction to the first tag.
6. Draw the coils together Moisten, then pull both standing lines steadily. Let the coils seat together; pull-test and trim both tags.
Tying reference: Blood knot · Animated Knots by Grog ↗
Fly line → leader Leader setup
Perfection loop 05 / 06 Make a small, in-line loop at the thick end of a leader for a loop-to-loop connection with a looped fly line.
◷ A little practiceLoop at the leader butt 5 steps
Follow the loop and tag Step-by-step animation
Gap = strand underneath
Perfection loop · original step-by-step tying study Follow the outlined working end. 01 / 05 Make the first loop Hold the crossing; leave the tag free.
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Scrub through the tying sequence 1 2 3 4 5
The outlined diamond follows the bight during the pull-through. It is the loop that moves, not another tag-end tuck. Seating is schematic. Practice with thicker cord to make the crossings easier to follow.
Compare with the reference guide ↗
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WRITTEN STEPS · FOLLOW AT YOUR OWN PACE
1 Make the first loop Form a loop near the end of the leader. Hold the crossing between finger and thumb.
2 Lay a second loop on top Make another loop in front of the first. Keep the tag beneath the standing line.
3 Lay the tag between the loops Place the tag between the first loop and the second loop. Hold it there.
4 Pull the second loop through Take the second, front loop through the first, back loop. The crossing must trap the tag.
5 Set the finished loop Moisten and pull the new loop against the standing line. Check the tag is trapped, pull-test and trim.
↳ Remember this bit This makes the leader’s loop. Joining it to the fly-line loop is a separate loop-to-loop connection, not another knot.
✓ Before you cast The finished loop follows the standing line and holds its size under tension. The short tag is trapped at the base.
See all 5 steps at once ＋ 1. Make the first loop Form a loop near the end of the leader. Hold the crossing between finger and thumb.
2. Lay a second loop on top Make another loop in front of the first. Keep the tag beneath the standing line.
3. Lay the tag between the loops Place the tag between the first loop and the second loop. Hold it there.
4. Pull the second loop through Take the second, front loop through the first, back loop. The crossing must trap the tag.
5. Set the finished loop Moisten and pull the new loop against the standing line. Check the tag is trapped, pull-test and trim.
Tying reference: Perfection loop · Animated Knots by Grog ↗
Backing → reel At home
Arbor knot 06 / 06 Secure backing around the center of a reel spool before winding it on. An occasional setup knot rather than an everyday fly change.
◷ EasyBacking to the spool 5 steps
Follow the tag end Step-by-step animation
Gap = strand underneath
Arbor knot · original step-by-step tying study Arbor Follow the outlined working end. 01 / 05 Around the arbor Pass the backing around the spool’s central hub.
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Scrub through the tying sequence 1 2 3 4 5
The spool hides the rear half of the wrap. The first overhand encloses the standing backing; the second uses only the tag. Seating is schematic. Practice with thicker cord to make the crossings easier to follow.
Compare with the reference guide ↗
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WRITTEN STEPS · FOLLOW AT YOUR OWN PACE
1 Around the spool Pass the backing around the reel’s arbor, the central hub of the spool.
2 Loop around the standing line Carry the tag around the standing backing, forming a loop.
3 Complete the sliding overhand Pass the tag through that loop. The overhand encloses the standing backing, so it can slide along it.
4 Add a stopper Tie a second overhand knot in the tag end alone. This stops the tag slipping through the first knot.
5 Slide down to the arbor Pull the standing backing to slide the first knot toward the spool. Seat the stopper against it and trim excess tag.
↳ Remember this bit The first overhand goes around the standing line. The second is a stopper in the tag end alone.
✓ Before you cast The loop grips the spool as you pull the standing line. The stopper catches against the sliding knot.
See all 5 steps at once ＋ 1. Around the spool Pass the backing around the reel’s arbor, the central hub of the spool.
2. Loop around the standing line Carry the tag around the standing backing, forming a loop.
3. Complete the sliding overhand Pass the tag through that loop. The overhand encloses the standing backing, so it can slide along it.
4. Add a stopper Tie a second overhand knot in the tag end alone. This stops the tag slipping through the first knot.
5. Slide down to the arbor Pull the standing backing to slide the first knot toward the spool. Seat the stopper against it and trim excess tag.
Tying reference: Arbor knot · Animated Knots by Grog ↗
Two words that make this easier Tag end is the short, free end you move. Standing line is the longer part leading back toward your reel. In a two-line join, each line has its own tag and standing part.
↔ One connection at a time. Reel → backing → fly line → leader → tippet → fly
This starter collection covers four connection tasks. Backing-to-fly-line connections need their own guide, matched to your line. Instructions checked against the linked reference guides. The animations enlarge the strand paths to show each move; tightening is simplified. Planning your first trip? Start here →