OK, so we've got the knot to attach tarpon bite tippets to our leaders (Lesson #2: The Easy Albright). But what about tying the fly to the leader? Sure, we can use the Non-Slip Loop Knot (Lesson #1), but that leaves a large knot and, most importantly, tends to create a bend right at the knot. One of the tenets of tarpon fishing faith is that the fly must track straight, without rolling or leaning, or the fish won't eat it. If the leader is bent or kinked at all, the fly won't track straight.

That's where this loop knot excells. It's a variation on the Double Figure 8 Knot and it provides the freedom of movement of a loop knot, but the way the knot seats keeps the leader dead straight, and the fly riding high and pretty... which is what the silver king wants.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Step #1:   Make a double over-hand knot in the bite tippet, leaving about 3 inches of tag end to complete the knot. You'll also need a pair of plyers and something to hold the hook tightly as you tighten this knot.

 

Step #2:   Twist the knot until it makes this figure-eight shape.

 

 

Step #3:   Pass the tag end through the hook eye and back through the figure-eight. Pay attention that it passes over the twisted line (the correct way would untie the knot if the fly wasn't there).

 

Step #4:   Pass the tag end through the other openning in the figure-eight. Again, pay attention to which side of the twisted line this is on. It should be on the opposite side as the first pass, and would again untie the knot if the fly wasn't there.

 

Step #5:   Pull on the tag end until it tightens the knot. Keep tension on the standing part of the leader.

 

 

Step #6:   Continue to tighten until knot seats firmly against hook eye.

 

 

Step #7:   Tie an over-hand knot around the standing part of the line. This distance between this knot and the the hook eye should be about twice the size of the desired finished loop.

 

Step #8:   Holding the hook firmly (with a lanyard, etc) use a plyers to pull the over-hand knot very tight by pulling the tag end.

 

 

Step #9:   Moisten the entire knot and pull firmly on the standing part of the line. The first knot should slide up and "lock" against the knot you just tied. Clip the tag end close and go fishing.

 

I've seen another variation on this that only uses a single overhand knot instead of the double in Step #1. It works just as well in heavier mono or flourocarbon shock tippet. If the knot isn't dead straight, repeat steps one through nine. << Back to KNOTS Page