Why Knots Are the Backbone of Your Fly Fishing Setup
When it comes to fly fishing, knots are the critical link in your tackle. They're often the main point of failure—get a knot wrong, and you risk losing not just your fish, but expensive line and valuable time on the water. The right knots, tied properly, boost the overall strength and reliability of your setup. A solid knot gives you confidence, letting your gear perform as intended with a seamless, robust connection from reel to fly.
In this guide, we’ll cut through the faff and focus on the only two knots you truly need for connecting your backing to your fly reel and then to your fly line. Reliable, efficient, and trusted by anglers all over the UK, these knots are the foundation of a dependable fly fishing setup.
The Best Knot for Attaching Backing to Your Reel: The Arbor Knot
Featured Knot: Arbor Knot
The Arbor Knot is the go-to for securing backing to your reel’s arbor. It’s tried and tested, easy to tie quickly, and locks down securely as soon as you wind on any tension. This means you won’t have to worry about your backing slipping, even when you’re battling a lively fish.
How to Tie It:
- Wrap the backing around the centre spindle (arbor) of the reel.
- With the tag end, tie a straightforward overhand knot around the standing part of the backing.
- Tie a second overhand knot in the tag end alone, leaving it a short distance from the first (this acts as a stopper).
- Pull the standing line so the first knot slides tight against the arbor—the second knot will butt up and keep the tag from slipping through.
Tips for Maximum Security:
- Always moisten your knots (with saliva or water) before pulling them tight to avoid friction burn weakening the line.
- Double-check that the knot is sitting flush against the arbor before winding the rest of your backing onto the reel.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Missing out that critical second stopper knot in the tag end.
- Leaving the knot loose, which can lead to the backing spinning independently of the spool—a sure way to lose a fish.
The Best Knot for Attaching Backing to Fly Line: The Nail Knot
Featured Knot: Nail Knot
The Nail Knot is all about a slick, streamlined join. It creates a low-profile connection that glides through your rod guides effortlessly, crucial when you’re casting far or playing a strong fish that runs into your backing. No lumps, no bumps—just a clean handover between lines.
Why It’s the Best:
- Reduces friction and minimises snagging on guides.
- Maintains the full strength of both backing and fly line.
- Makes for a seamless transition, which really matters if a decent fish heads off on a long run.
How to Tie It:
- Lay a nail or nail-knot tool alongside the tip of your fly line.
- Place your backing on top, leaving enough of a tag end to work with.
- Wrap the tag end back over itself, the fly line, and the nail/tool for 6–8 tight, neat coils.
- Feed the tag end back through the coils via the gap created by the nail or tool.
- Remove the nail/tool and gently pull both ends of the backing to snug the coils against the fly line. Trim both tag ends close.
Tips for a Tidy Finish:
- After trimming, a tiny spot of UV resin or flexible waterproof glue makes the knot even sleeker and more robust.
- Make sure the wraps sit side by side without crossing over, for the smoothest possible profile.
Watch & Learn: Full Knot Demonstration
If you prefer learning by watching, we’ve got you covered.
Top Tip: Grab yourself a brew, a spare bit of line, and your reel, then follow along as you watch. The pace is gentle, with plenty of opportunity to pause and rewind as needed.
What You’ll Get from the Video:
- Close-up visuals showing exactly how to handle the line, create loops, and tighten knots.
- No-rush demonstrations, so you can practise alongside step by step.
- Troubleshooting tips to fix common mistakes before they become problems on the water.
Extra Resources for Learning Fishing Knots
Want to keep learning and expanding your knot repertoire? For most anglers, visual aids are invaluable. Just head to Google and search for “Fishing Knot Pictures” or “fly fishing knot diagrams”.
What You’ll Find:
- Easy-to-follow diagrams for all sorts of knots.
- Printable charts to keep in your tackle box as a handy reference.
- Alternatives for specific uses, such as the Albright Special, which can substitute for the Nail Knot in some setups.
Final Thoughts: Tie with Confidence
Learning to tie the Arbor Knot and Nail Knot properly forms the basis of a trustworthy fly fishing rig. Practise these knots at home, using surplus line, until you can tie them without thinking—don’t leave it until you’re out in the cold, trying to thread line with numb fingers.
Confidence in your knots means confidence on the water. When you know your setup’s rock solid, you can focus on the joy of casting and the thrill of the take, secure in the knowledge that your gear won’t let you down.