How to Tie the Fly-Fishing Line to the Leader

Now that you have the fly line connected to your reel's backing, it's time to connect that line to your fly-fishing leader. If your leader doesn't have a loop in it already, you'll have to make one before using the "loop-to-loop" connection to join the two parts.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fly-fishing How-to Books
• Backing/fly-fishing
• Fly-fishing Leaders
• Fly-fishing Lines
• Fly-fishing Reels
• Fly-fishing Rods
• Fly-fishing Scissors
• Fly-fishing Tippets

1. 

   Make a surgeon's loop in the end of your leader. To do this, form a loop in the end of the leader, which will double the line. Take that doubled line and make a simple overhand knot, wrapping the end around and back through itself (but keep from pulling it tight).

2. 

   Bring the loop end through the knot one more time and then tighten. Pull on the loop end with one hand and the standing end (the rest of the line, not used to tie a knot) with the other. Trim the loose end.

3. 

   Use the loop-to-loop connection now that you have loops at the ends of the leader and the fly line. To do this, first put the fly line loop through the larger end of the leader loop.

4. 

   Take the small end of the leader section and pass it through the fly line loop.

5. Tighten the connection by pulling the fly line and the leader in opposite directions with a constant and steady motion. The connection should resemble a square knot when you're done.

6. Clip the ends of your knot, leaving about 1/8 inch so that it won't slip. Trim close to the knot, but allow a little room for it to move when tightened.

7. Test the knot before fishing - if it slips, you can cut it off and try again without losing a part of your line.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice tying the knots with rope or clothesline. The larger-diameter string will be easier to work with while you get the hang of tying the knots.
• Tighten knots with one steady and continuous motion. You can also moisten the knot before pulling it tight to avoid deformed knots.

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on 11/22/2005 Okay, here's a good idea taken from a Dave Whitlock book. The supplies you will need are a candle, a needle, fly line, leader, sandpaper, and zapagap (a quick drying superglue). First rub the thick end of the leader with some sandpaper until it is fairly rough. Then heat the needle with the candle and stick it in the fly line ( a rather difficult procedure). Push it in about a quarter inch and then turn the needle and continue the hole out the side. Push the thin end of the needle in the hole in the side of the line and pull it all the way to the sandpapered thick end. Put a drop of zapagap on the middle on the sandpapered part and pull the leader a little more until it the glued part gets inside the fly line. (do this quickly or the glue will dry) cut of the remaining little bit of thick end and put a drop of zapagap around the connection to seal it off. you now have a near perfect connection!
(If you got lost around the second sentence, which im sure you will, check out "fly fishing for bass" by Dave Whitlock.)