The needle knot

The needle knot is the fly fisher’s trick for a really slim join between fly line and leader. Instead of a knot on the outside, the leader goes straight into the core of the fly line, which gives a smooth, straight fastening that glides freely through the rod rings. You notice it especially when you play a fish close to you and the join has to pass the tip ring.

Why a needle knot

The join between fly line and leader passes the rings every time you play a fish in close, and a bulky join can snag right there — at worst when the fish makes its last run. The needle knot solves it by letting the leader come out of the line’s own end, so the join is almost as slim as the line itself. The result is a straight, strong and discreet connection that neither spoils the cast nor catches in the rings.

Step by step

  1. Thread the needle. Push a needle a short way into the fly-line end along the core and out through the side. Warming the needle slightly makes it easier.
  2. Make the hole. Draw the needle out so a small hole is formed straight through the line end.
  3. Thread the leader. Pass the leader end through the hole, from the tip and out the side, so a bit sticks out.
  4. Wrap. Lay the leader tag along the fly line and make 4–5 turns around both the fly line and its own tag, back toward the line end.
  5. Thread back. Pass the leader tag back through the turns you just wrapped, along the fly line.
  6. Wet and tighten. Wet, tighten the turns evenly against the line end and trim the tag. A drop of flexible glue makes the knot even smoother.

Prepare at home

The needle knot takes a little more finger skill than an ordinary hook knot, so tie it at home at the kitchen table. Then the join is ready when you reach the water, and you avoid fiddling with needle and glue with cold fingers. Once tied it lasts a long time and seldom needs doing again.

More knots for fly fishing

The needle knot fastens the leader to the line, the blood knot tapers the leader in steps, and a clinch knot ties the fly at the end. Together they cover the whole way from fly line to fly. An overview of which knots you need and when is under all fishing knots, and how they fit into fly fishing in put and take.

FAQ

What do I use a needle knot for?

To fasten a leader or a butt section straight into the end of the fly line. The knot is slim and straight, so the join glides through the rod rings without snagging — handy when you play a fish close to you.

Is the needle knot hard to tie?

It takes a little finger skill and a needle, but it is fine to prepare at home in peace. Tie it in advance so you do not fiddle at the water.

What is the alternative if I do not want to tie a needle knot?

A ready loop-to-loop join, where both fly line and leader have loops, is simpler and changes quickly, but it builds a small knot. The needle knot is the choice when you want the smoothest possible join.

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