Tying a Nail Knot

When tying a nail knot, take a 1 to 2-inch nail and lay it down next to the end of your fly line. Then take your leader butt and lay it down above the nail facing the opposite direction of your fly line, as shown in the picture below. Please note, we’re not using actual fly line, backing or leader butt in the following pictures. We are using a much thicker string so you are able to see the details of the knot-tying process.

Now you need to hold the fly line, leader butt and the nail in one hand. Then grasp the end of the leader and wrap it over itself, the nail and the end of the fly line five or six times, moving from left to right. Keep the wraps you’ve completed in place by holding your thumb and forefinger over them. See the picture below to reference what your wraps should look like.

Pass the leader butt down the nail and through the wraps you’ve just made (picture C). Then pull the ends of the fly line in opposite directions, tightening them at the top of the nail (picture D).

Now that you have begun to tighten the nail knot, it is time to remove the nail. Make sure you remove the nail slowly, keeping the wraps of the knot in place with your fingers. Then pull the tag end of the leader until the wraps under your hand tighten and the nail knot pulls together. Now all you need to do is clip your tag ends and you’re done!

You have just tied your very first nail knot. While it may have been an awkward process, it does get easier with time. If you find it difficult to pull the nail knot tight on both ends, you may want to consider lubricating the knot to make the process easier. You can also use pliers to hold the tag end of the leader while you create the knot. Before you know it, you’ll be tying nail knots like a pro.