Tying a Double Surgeon's Knot

The double surgeon’s knot is generally used when tying together two lines consisting of different diameters and it’s really a great knot to use when tying your tippet to your leader. While it can look quite intimidating at first, the double surgeon’s knot is really quite an easy knot to master once you get the hang of it.

Step 1 – Laying the Leader and Tippet Side By Side

The first thing you need to do when tying a double surgeon’s knot is lay the leader and the tippet down with one right above the other, as shown in the picture below. Please note, we are not really using a leader and tippet in the pictures provided.We are using much thicker string so that you can actually see the process involved with tying the knot.

Double Surgeon’s Knot Picture A

Step 2 –Tying an Overhand Knot

Now that your tippet and leader are lined up with one another, pick them up and begin tying an overhand knot so that the tag line and the tippet appear as they do in the picture below.

Tying a Double Surgeon's Knot

Double Surgeon’s Knot Picture B

Step 3 – Pass the Tippet through the Overhand Knot

At this point in time, your tippet and your leader are starting to make the beginning of an overhand knot. Now you need to pass the tippet completely through the over hand knot loop. Then grab the knot loop and pass the tippet and the leader through the knot a second time. At this time, your knot should resemble the knot in the picture below.

Tying a Double Surgeon's Knot

Double Surgeon’s Knot Picture C

Step 4 – Pull Leader and Tippet and Complete the Knot

The next step is to grasp the tippet and the leader at the same time and begin pulling on both ends to form the knot, as shown in pictures D and E below. When you are finished drawing the knot tight, it will look like the knot in picture F. Trim your tag ends and you’ve completed your very first double surgeon’s knot.

Tying a Double Surgeon's Knot