How to Tie Two Flies on the Same Line

Use an improved clinch knot to tie two flies on the same line.

Fishing with two flies on the same line is an effective way to present two different types of flies at the same time, or two flies to different parts of the water column at the same time. Rigging is an important part of presenting two flies on the same line and involves the use of a specialized fishing knot. Take the time to correctly tie flies to a line for proper presentation.

Things You'll Need

• Fly line tippet
• Sharp scissors
• Dry fly
• Nymph

Instructions

1. Cut a 3-foot length of tippet from a filler spool. Use a 5X tippet as a rule of thumb. Cut the tippet from the filler spool with a pair of scissors.

2. Tie the tippet onto the leader attached to the main fly line with a surgeon's knot. Moisten the knot, pull tight and trim excess line from the free ends of the tippet and leader with sharp scissors.

3. Thread the free end of the tippet through the eye of a dry fly. Slide the dry fly up the tippet so it is located 8 to 10 inches below the surgeon's knot.

4. Tie the dry fly onto the tippet with an improved clinch knot. Moisten the knot before pulling tight and do not cut the free end of the line extending from the knot.

5. Thread the free end of the tippet through the eye of a nymph fly. Slide the nymph up the tippet so it is at least 10 to 12 inches below the dry fly. Choose the exact amount of tippet to leave between the dry fly and nymph based on water depth and personal preference. Tie the nymph to the tippet with an improved clinch knot.

References

• North Carolina Fish and Game: Fishing Two Flies with a Dropper Rig

Resources

• Animated Knots By Grog: Improved Clinch Knot
• Animated Knots By Grog: Surgeon's Knot