Fly Fishing

Learn these 6 knots and you can fly fish for any Canadian species, from brook trout to muskies

Scott Gardner·

TIE THE KNOT

Six crucial knots every fly angler needs to know—and know well

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PERFECTION LOOP

For connecting the leader to the fly line

A terminal loop knot isn’t essential, but it’s incredibly helpful, especially if you make your own leaders. Neat and strong, the perfection loop never slips, and it works with mono as heavy as 40-pound-test, making it perfect for the butt end of a leader. It’s probably the trickiest knot here, but it’s still not that difficult to tie, and well worth learning. It has other applications, too. For fly lines without a welded loop, I make my own loop by tying on 10 inches of 20-pound mono with an Albright knot, then tying a perfection loop at the end of the mono.

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BONUS TIPS: KNOT RIGHT

  • Use inexpensive line to practise tying knots at home.
  • When tying a knot, give yourself lots of line. Trying to tie with too little is awkward, and can lead to errors.
  • Do the final step slowly and carefully. Some knots need to be gently groomed into shape a little as they’re being tightened.
  • Wet monofilament line as you’re pulling it tight. This reduces friction, which can weaken the line.
  • Always test a knot before fishing it.
  • If your knot seems even a little dubious, cut it off and retie.