Lefty Krehs Loop Knot

A LOOP KNOT is one of the most useful knots in fishing. A loop in the line allows the lure or fly to be more active during the retrieve. Anglers have used loops in monofilament and wire for decades, but most loop knots have some disadvantages. First, the tag end of most loop knots protrudes either outward or forward. This stub, even if very short, will tangle a thick tippet and often catch grass in the water, spoiling the retrieve. Second, most loop knots are not as strong as the line they are tied with and cannot be adjusted to loop size. Finally, many loop knots can be tied only in fluorocarbon or monofilament and not in braided wire.

The Non-Slip Loop overcomes most of these disadvantages. It doesn't snag. The tag end protrudes toward the fly, lure, or hook, reducing the chance of snagging grass during the retrieve. It is strong. When tied correctly, it will test near or at full-line strength in all kinds of weights — 150-pound-test monofilament or 8X tippet. It is versatile. You can use it to make a simple loop or a loop to attach the lure, fly, or bare hook. You can build the loop to any desired size. And best of all, it is perhaps the most effective knot for tying a loop in braided wire, especially the modern multi-strand wire.

The knot may appear to be difficult to tie, but it is rather easy. You make an Overhand Knot, insert the tag end through the hook eye, bring the tag end back through the Overhand Knot, and make a number of turns with the tag end before inserting the tag end a final time through the Overhand Knot. Now let's do it step-by-step.



Step 1: To attach a hook, lure, or fly, make an Overhand Knot in the line before you insert it through the hook eye.



Step 2: Pass the tag end back through the Overhand Knot the same way it came out of the knot.



Step 3: Large loops can cause problems, so it is best to make smaller loops. You can adjust the size of the loop as follows. After making step 2, use your thumb and forefinger to pinch together the Overhand Loop and the line passing through it. By drawing on the main line, you can then reduce the Overhand Loop. Continue pinching the two lines and pull on the tag end. This action moves the now-smaller Overhand Knot down until it touches the hook eye, further reducing the loop's size.



Step 4: Start making turns with the tag end around the main line. It is the number of turns that determines the knot's strength. For lines testing 8X to 6-pound-test, make seven turns; for 8- to 12-pound-test, make five turns; for 15- to 40-pound-test, four turns; and for line heavier than that, make only two turns. For thin, flexible modern multi strand plastic-coated braided wire lines, make three turns. For the older plastic-coated braided wire, two turns are enough. The key to tying a strong Non-Slip Loop is to make the required turns with the tag end around the main line before you finish the knot.



Step 5: To ensure maximum strength, pull on the main line, the tag end, and the lure or hook to firmly close the knot.

Nuts & Bolts #4 - The Davy Knot

Want to learn something new? Want to have all your friends go how'd you do that. Well here you go, the "Davy Knot" will do the trick.


Davy Wotton, competed for many years for the Welsh national fly fishing team and in individual professional events. Through trial and error, he invented a knot that allowed him to attach a fly in seconds. He appropriately dubbed it "the Davy knot." This knot is so easy and simple to tie, it sometimes seems difficult! Once you use this knot, you may not use another one!

The Davy knot is fast and strong. Unlike other knots that are used to attach flies, the tippet is not pulled down on the knot to burn and weaken the mono. This knot is the knot of choice in fly fishing competitions and has been known to be used without a single failure. One competitor claims that he used the "Davy Knot" and in 12 months he had only one knot break in hundreds of hours of use. Sound Good? Well here's how you tie it.






Follow these instructions to tie the knot:

1. Take your fly and pass your tippet through the bottom of the eyelet. Turn the fly upside down so the hook point is turned up or on the top.

2. With the fly extended to the left, pull or extend about three or four inches of tippet through the eye.

3. Take your tag piece of mono and pass over the top of the main leader (away from you) and draw it back through, making a loop.

4. Take the tippet and pass it under, then over the top of the bottom leg of the loop. If you have been successful, the tag end will point directly toward you.

5. To secure the knot, bite the tag piece and pull the leader end taut, causing the knot to close. If you have tied the Davy knot properly, the knot is firmly fastened and will not slip.