Home Forums Fishing Flyfishing Knot for fly to tippet

For tippet 3X to 7X and flies smaller than a #10 I have started using the Double Davy and it has worked well for me. The key to this knot it to assure the tag end comes out perpendicular to the knot and is on top of the hook eye when you are finished. I find holding the tag between my teeth while pulling the knot up helps.

For larger tippet/line or hooks larger than #10 I just use an Improved Clinch Knot (dries or nymphs) and for a streamer a No-Slip Loop.

Note, applying a little Chap Stick to the knot before tightening will help a lot.

As others here said, I suspect if your tippet was Nylon (Mono) and was older than a couple of years, or has been exposed to a lot of sun, it has deteriorated and the whole leader needs to be replaced. Fluorocarbon leader/ tippet are much less susceptible to aging or UV deterioration.