Fly Fishing Rigs and Knots: A Simple Overview

Knots and rigging can feel like the most confusing part of fly fishing. There are dozens of knots, leaders come in every length and size, and every fly shop seems to have a different favorite rig. The good news is that you only need a handful of knots and a few simple rigs to fish for trout almost anywhere.

This overview puts it all in one place: how the line system fits together, which knot to use for each connection, the four rigs we use most and how to choose tippet. Along the way we link to our detailed guides for each piece.

Everything from the reel to the fly is connected by just a few knots. Photo: Carl Heyerdahl on Unsplash.

How the Line System Fits Together

A fly line setup has five parts, joined end to end: backing, fly line, leader, tippet and fly. Backing and fly line stay on the reel for years. The leader lasts a season or more, and you add new tippet as you change flies.

For step-by-step help putting it all together, see How to Set Up a Fly Rod.

Which Knot for Which Job

Six knots handle every connection. Learn the improved clinch and the double surgeon’s knot first, since you’ll tie them every time you fish. The others you’ll only tie once in a while when you set up a reel or a new line.

Arbor knot: ties backing to the reel. Simple, and it only has to hold if a fish takes all your line.
Albright or nail knot: joins backing to the back end of the fly line.
Loop-to-loop: most fly lines and leaders come with loops, so you can change leaders in seconds without a knot at all.
Double surgeon’s knot: the easiest way to add tippet to a leader. A blood knot is a slimmer option once you get the hang of it.
Improved clinch knot: ties on the fly. It’s the knot you’ll tie most. The Davy knot is a smaller, quicker alternative for tiny flies.
Non-slip loop knot: leaves a small loop at the eye so streamers and big nymphs can swing and swim.

For illustrated, step-by-step instructions for each one, see How to Tie Fly Fishing Knots: 7 Essential Knots.

Wet every knot before you pull it tight. Friction heat weakens the line. Photo: Sofia Rotaru on Unsplash.

Tips for strong knots

Wet it first. Spit or water lubricates the line so the knot seats without burning itself.
Pull slowly and firmly. A smooth, steady pull seats the wraps evenly.
Trim close, but not too close. Leave a tiny tag so the knot can’t slip.
Test every knot. Give it a hard tug before you cast. Better to break it in your hands than on a fish.
Retie often. Retie after a big fish, after snagging the bottom, or if you see a wind knot in your tippet.

Four Rigs Every Trout Angler Should Know

Most trout fishing comes down to four rigs. Match the rig to where the fish are eating: on top, just under the surface, near the bottom or chasing baitfish.

1. Single dry fly

A 9 foot leader tapered to 4X, 5X or 6X with one dry fly. Use it when trout are rising. See How to Dry Fly Fish.

2. Dry-dropper

Tie a buoyant dry fly like an Elk Hair Caddis or Chubby Chernobyl on as usual, then tie 18 to 30 inches of tippet to the bend of its hook and add a small beadhead nymph. The dry acts as your strike indicator. This is our favorite rig for summer and for small streams.

3. Indicator nymph rig

Set a strike indicator at about 1.5 to 2 times the water depth, pinch a split shot about 10 inches above your first fly, and add a second nymph 12 to 18 inches below that. Trout eat most of their food near the bottom, so this rig catches fish when nothing is rising. See How to Nymph Fish.

4. Streamer rig

A short, stout leader of 4 to 6 feet in 0X to 2X, usually on a sink tip or sinking line, with a streamer tied on with a loop knot. Cast and strip the fly back to imitate a baitfish. See How to Fish Streamers for Trout.

Choosing Tippet

Tippet is the thin, clear line between your leader and your fly. The “X” number tells you its diameter: the bigger the number, the thinner the tippet. Use the lightest tippet you can for the fly size and the fish you expect.

The rule of 3: divide your hook size by 3 to get the tippet. A size 15 fly calls for 5X.
4X and 5X cover most trout fishing. Carry spools of 3X through 6X and you’re ready for almost anything.
Nylon or fluorocarbon? Nylon floats a little and is better for dry flies. Fluorocarbon sinks, is harder for trout to see and resists abrasion, so it’s great for nymphs and streamers.

For more on leader construction, see Fly Fishing Leader and Tippet Setup.

Keep a small rigging kit in your vest: tippet spools, split shot, indicators and nippers. Photo: Clay Banks on Unsplash.

What to Carry

Tippet spools in 3X, 4X, 5X and 6X (add 7X for midges)
A spare 9 foot leader in 4X or 5X
Split shot in a couple of sizes
Strike indicators
Nippers to trim knots, and forceps to remove hooks
Floatant for dry flies

With these few knots, four rigs and a handful of tippet spools, you’re ready to fish for trout just about anywhere. For more on where to put that rig, see Reading the Water.