Nail Knot

Nail Knot

The nail knot is a very significant fishing knot that is widely used to connect the fly line to the leader.  It is good for joining two lines of different diameters allowing you to attach backing to the fly line and the fly line to the leader, or the tippet. The knot derives its name from the use of a nail that originally acted as a guide for making the knot. However, replacing the nail or a needle with a thin hollow tube or straw, as described below makes the tying easier.

How to Tie a Nail Knot

In the following instructions for tying the knot, the thinner red rope depicts the leader that needs to be attached to the thicker blue fly line.

How to Tie a Nail Knot

Tips

1. You can use a nail knot tool or device to tie a number of nail knots fast.
2. If you want, you can make a nailless nail knot by hand without using any tool whatsoever.

Variation

1. Double nail knot – Instead if a single one, two standard nail knots are formed at the end of each line.

Uses

1. In fly fishing
2. To make the nail loop knot that is strongest yet slimmest way to make a loop at the end of a fly line. Can be used on a hook or swivel just like the improved clinch knot.
3. For attaching a monofilament/braided fishing line to lead core leader material by carp anglers.
4. As a bobber stop.
5. Splicing a mono leader into a hollow braid.

Nail Knot Video: Tying Fly Line to Backing

Steps to Tying a Nail Knot

1. Holding the ends of the two lines with the tube in between, make 5 turns with the leader
2. At the 6th turn, insert the leader into the tube
3. Take it out of the other end
4. Remove the tube by sliding it down
5. Pull both ends to tighten the knot
6. Cut off excess if any

Alternatives

1. Double Uni knot – Effective for joining two lines having similar or varying strengths.
2. Loop to loop – An efficient and quick connection for fly lines that come with welded loops at their ends. Braided loops also work well with this.
3. Albright knot – Gives a less smooth finish.
4. Blood knot – Good for joining two lines having nearly equal diameters.
5. Surgeon’s knot – Used to join leader to tippet, it is bulkier but easier to tie.