How do I Tie a Fly Fishing Rod?

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Tying a fly fishing rod involves using specialized knots to connect the various lines associated with the fly rod. Fly line backing is connected to the main line, followed by a leader. Sometimes, the connections between the leader and tippet and tippet and fly can be over looked. These two connections require the use of knots designed to maintain a straight line and provide a fly angler with the control needed while fishing.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Connect Leader to Tippet

Things You’ll Need:

Fly rod and reel rigged with line and leader
Fly tippet material (monofilament or fluorocarbon)
Fishing fly
Scissors

Step 1

Hold the free end of the fly leader line in one hand and the free end of the tippet line in the other. Overlap the free ends of the line for several inches and hold them together in the middle where they cross forming a double line.

Step 2

Turn the free end of the leader back toward the middle creating a long loop beneath the doubled line. Wrap the free end of the line around the doubled line and through the long loop four times. Moisten the knot and pull tight.

Step 3

Repeat the tying process with the free end of the tippet line by turning it back to form a long loop. Wrap the free end of the tippet line around the doubled line and through the long loop four times, moisten and pull down tight.

Step 4

Hold the main leader line in one hand and the main tippet line in the other. Pull the lines in opposite directions to secure the two (double) uni knots against each other.

Step 5

Trim the free ends of the lines extending from the knots with sharp scissors.

Attach a Fly to the Tippet

Step 1

Thread the free end of the tippet line through the eye of a fly. Pull 4 to 5 inches of the line past the eye of the fly hook so you will have enough line with which to work.

Step 2

Turn the free end of the line up and wrap it around the main tippet line six times creating a small loop above the hook eye. Begin forming the wraps near the hook eye and work up the line.

Step 3

Hold the wraps in place and turn the free end of the tippet down toward the hook and then through the small loop above the hook eye. This will also form an elongated loop along side the wrapped line.

Step 4

Pull the free end of the line back through the elongated loop, moisten the knot and pull it down tightly against the hook eye.

Step 5

Trim the free end of the line extending from the knot with scissors.

Article Written By Keith Dooley

Keith Dooley has a degree in outdoor education and sports management. He has worked as an assistant athletic director, head coach and assistant coach in various sports including football, softball and golf. Dooley has worked for various websites in the past, contributing instructional articles on a wide variety of topics.

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