How to:

Tie the leader butt to the fly line tip:

Nail Knot

Tie heaviest/thickest diameter leader sections together:

Blood Knot

Tie smallest diameter leader sections together:

Surgeon Knot

Alternatives to affix leaders to fly line:

Needle Knot

Slip On Leaders

Permanent Leader Butts

Knots & Leaders   

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Use of the appropriate knots is essential to strong leaders that provide proper taper, balance and transmission of energy from the fly line down to the fly.  And unless you intend to tie on a new leader each time you change flies, change rods or use different fly lines, break off a fish, etc., then you will need to know what knots to use with leaders.

Click on any circular image below for instructions on how to tie each knot.

There are 3 knots you must know to effectively work with leaders:

1.  the Nail Knot   . . . used to affix the leader to the fly line

2.  the Blood Knot . . . used to tie sections of leader together (usually the thicker diameters)

3.  the Surgeon Knot . . . also used to tie sections of leader together (usually the thinner diameters)