Attach Leader To Fly Line Without Loop On Fly Line

This knot was recently taught to me by Steven Mackenzie (head ghillie) and Peter O'Neill on the Lower Oykel in Scotland.
The idea is to create less 'bulk' on the leader/line attachment and therefore less splashing when casting. It also offers a very reliable and secure connection when hooking big salmon.

[@kingers36]

Finally a reasonable knot tutorial on tying leader to line that didn’t involve the nail knot 👍that was easy to do i did it right the first time

[@A.C._Taylor]

You're a scholar and a gentleman. Thankyou!

[@vincentsteinmetz3726]

Very nice knot, one must try ! easy and strong.

[@dpg2826]

Well I wish I saw this 4 years ago! Nail knot is not too much hassle, Flip Pallot connection is awesome, but this is fool proof and quick and easy to tie anywhere. I tie in a 6" 15lb double perfection loop, then run my leaders of choice off the 15lb loop. Less loss of fly line after a bunch of leaders. Thanks for this winner!!!

[@carlosjrado1843]

You're the only one who's taught this. Thank you.

[@LolLol-pz5zw]

Awesome line. My favorite ! Highly recommend it for serious Anglers !

[@squaretops1]

Thanks a million for this.This is so easy to understand for me a guy with severe learning difficultys.Thanks again im going to set this up on my rod tonight.

[@redeyestones3738]

Cheers mate. Finally got myself a flyrod set-up. This was the final piece of the puzzle Thanks

[@mickwilkes3397]

Glad you've found it useful. 👍🎣

[@bluethunder1951]

I’ve been watching so many channels on knots lately I’m starting to see fingers in my sleep 😂 my only concern with this knot is the leader won’t unfold and lay the fly smoothly on the surface, but will give it a try.

[@justinhoyt5781]

Awesome advice and tutorial for something really useful, in just 4 minutes. We need more of this KZbin.

[@mickwilkes3397]

Appreciate the positive reply Justin.

[@zlatko6846]

Thanks you maestro

[@maverick3825]

Several factors superior to the nail knot that you have to have at least three hands, double-jointed fingers, and dislocatable wrists to tie. Very much appreciated!

[@UK-Blue]

Haha! I'd seen the nail thing... I was like fk that!

[@delwigzieful]

I have been fly-fishing for 35 years now i have fished many parts of the USA and canada i live in the uk ,i seen this video 3 weeks ago now so i decided to give it ago i can tie the nail knot etc etc with 35 years experience i should do by now anyway went to my local river to target pike on the fly first thing i will say is this knot is incredibly easy to tie is very neat and small much better than a loop to loop as mick said here in this tutorial once you pull the knot tight with the forceps the knot is very tiny and very strong i landed 5 pike that day the bes t being 24LB 5OZ and may i say this knot handled the pike with no problems what so ever since then i have fished for brown trout rainbow trout and the grayling people have said here in the comments that knot is big and spooks fish this is simply not the case i have use d it to fish for grayling and believe me grayling are very very shy fish and this knot did not spook any fish at anytime to be honest this has very quickly become my favorite knot i always used the nail knot but this knot mick has showed us all is simple to learn pull the knot tightly together for that neat and tiny tidy finish my grandfather told me many years ago keep your leader the same length as your rod or 6 inches shorter and you will be in good shape he was 100% correct and remember keep things simple, this knot is simple but very very effective KEEP YOUR LEADER THE SAME LENGTH AS YOUR ROD OR 6 INCHES SHORTER THIS WAY YOUR LEADER NEVER HAS TO PASS THROUGH YOUR GUIDES WHATEVER KNOT YOU USE,i highly recommend this knot mick has shown us it's absolutely genius,Thank you mick very much appreciated,great tutorial

[@mickwilkes3397]

Many thanks for the kind words and great advice about the length of the leader. So pleased you've had such success using it. 🎣

[@songthi1]

Awesome knot. Used it for a week up at the Salmon River NY fighting 20-25 lb fish and never had a failure. Thx!

[@mickwilkes3397]

That's great to hear, hopefully you'll carry on testing that knot with more of those big NY salmon! 👍

[@jdorney70]

Sir, thank you. This knot is gold. I'm very new to fly fishing. An old timer that sells fishing gear out of his garage sold me a vintage True Temper 760 with a pole for $40. Looking forward to getting out there. Lots of trout to be had in my great State of Maine. ✌

[@designmark]

Simple, strong, so much better than a nail knot. Thanks for sharing!

[@mickwilkes3397]

Appreciate the positive comment and glad you find it of use. 👍

[@pisanifep]

Thanks!! so simple and strong!! All these other videos with surgeons & nail knots..

[@rossjohnson8449]

Thanks this was awesome just tied it on haven't fished with it yet though. It may be obvious but I used leaders that already had the not tied in them and it worked well, just letting anybody who has leaders like that know you don't have to worry with tying a figure 8 knot

[@JackcatsandbassYT]

I just use an over hand loop knot. Very simple and easy. I’ve never fly fished before and I’m using mono to connect it so correct me if anything I’m doing is wrong but that’s what I’m using for the tutorial.

[@reachmiked]

I have been all over for the best way to tiea leader to the fly line. I’m a rookie. Tried so many knots that kept messing my fingers up. Found your video and this is the easiest way to do it. Thank you!

[@bensmithmyer4048]

New to fly fishing and struggling to tie good knots. Picked this up right away got a good strong knot first try. Thanks.

[@kylerflowers679]

Amazing video super simple and works very well. I’ve used it a few times soon I’ll have it down haha thanks man!!🔥🎣

[@Joe-fi2ir]

Thank you for this, as I couldn't get the nail knot to work in the comfort of my home with zero wind, no sweat dripping into my eyes, glasses steaming up, and mosquitos and gnats buzzing around my face. I'm new at this whole fly fishing thing, and I've gotta say, I've managed to get through casting basics, and the other nuances that come with fly fishing, but I'm not sure how guys tie some of these knots. Outside of the usual miserable stream-side conditions that don't help, I've got fat fingers, basil joint arthritis, all the while working with line and hook eyes that are nearly invisible to my blind eyes, without much in the way of patience. Maybe fly fishing isn't for me. 😆

[@mickwilkes3397]

Anything that makes fishing a little easier is worth a try and you're right, there's a lot to get your head around especially as a beginner. keep at it Joe, it'll all come together and good luck. 👍

[@downeastprimitiveskills7688]

Just getting into fly fishing, simplicity is great and this sure hits the target.

[@jimc4839]

I was shown this knot a year ago but forgot it. Thank you.

[@davidbartley1798]

He sounds exactly like Frank skinner, great video mate thank you

[@telecasterblast]

Have used this knot for the last two seasons, fly fishing for big Pike and Zander on 10wt, as well as trout, it has knot, let me down. Have now removed all my crappy loop sections. Thanks.

[@mickwilkes3397]

Glad to here that, sometimes easy and reliable is all you need! 👍

[@saltywaltPDX]

New to fly fishing my fly line didn’t come welded so this is soooo helpful thank you 🙏🏼

[@carterschuller1583]

Great video! Thanks for the new knot!

[@mickwilkes3397]

Glad you found it useful.

[@SecrettKkeeper]

This help me so much thanks for this video

[@under-pd2lp]

Just the video I needed. Cheers from 🇨🇦

[@Westernmassoutdoorboys]

Thank u for the pointer i am new to fly rod set ups

[@johnglazebrook5671]

Brilliant, looking for this for a long time, tks

[@steinfiend]

Way less hassle than a nail knot, so much easier and quicker + 3/5ths of fa difference when fishing it. Thanks for posting this 👍.

[@Smorgellep]

Just watched this and used this knot while in the car Super strong and super easy to do Thank you very much

[@mickwilkes3397]

That's great to hear Lance, thanks for letting me know and good luck with the fishing!

[@jeremysolesbee]

Brilliant! So easy. Hoping to test out this afternoon

[@ryanslapz]

Great video man! I'm pretty new to fly fishing, and this is the easiest way I've seen how to connect leader to fly line! Thanks!

[@mickwilkes3397]

Thanks, just need an opportunity to get out fishing now!

[@FCWW87]

10 thumbs up! Easy, effective, not a nail knot;)

[@rimshotdc]

Excellent❗...and smarter than making a loop on fly line❗👍

[@WoodFactory69]

Dude thank you ❤️❤️❤️

[@dayglowfunkyjunky]

Brilliant. What I needed.

[@dave1283]

1:15 he finally quits yammering and stammering and ties the knot.

[@mickwilkes3397]

🤣🤣🤣 that comment cracked me up!! 🤣🤣🤣 Yes it does go on a bit...sorry! 😁

[@timsergent4380]

Thank you for a great video

[@michaelthrockmorton6173]

Great knot, thank you.

[@neverhomeguideservice]

This is great! Thank you

[@williamwilson4123]

Beautiful thank you so much

[@juliansaiz5714]

Gave up on the nail knot, hope this works haha

[@johnathankeller1948]

Thank you! Love this

[@mickwilkes3397]

Appreciate the positive comment Johnathan and glad you've found it useful.

[@ron2368]

Look on YT for a snell knot , much smoother connection

[@jacobfields2725]

Thank you so much. Works a charm

[@mickwilkes3397]

You're welcome, glad you found it useful.

[@jacobfields2725]

Wondering have you tried it on lighter like a 5x tapered leader?

[@mickwilkes3397]

@@jacobfields2725 I haven't to be honest but I can't think of any reason it wouldn't work.

[@flylurefishingphotographer]

Thanks Mick, great improvement over the usual loops, added a link to my video, cheers.

[@teriselbick9869]

Been doing this for years.

[@barneyart1]

An animated drawing, or step by step drawing would really help. A viewer might miss what the fingers are covering. Good knot

[@maxlawrence1091]

Great video

[@carlakauffman2576]

That was helpful thanks

[@tocayofishing6538]

Exelente very helpful

[@parklandpiker]

Thanks i will give this a go when i get out,new to fly fishing,how long to you have an average leader please?

[@mickwilkes3397]

Really depends on whether you're fishing a floating line or a sink tip but generally around 10ft-12ft for a floating line and shorter for sink tip.

[@matiasespina1490]

I go 9 ft as a base. As it gets shorter add some tippet

[@Deco._.38]

Thanks so much, the nsil knot is just too hard

[@rutabaga69]

I just snell my leader off the fly line. Zero bulk. The leader is paired to the weight of the fly line so I need never change leaders, only tippet material. Keeps all the energy of cast going into the line right to the fly. loop to loop is utter garbage.

[@spencerskewes9370]

Thank you

[@jimmybrown6836]

Awesome thanks

[@greasyrails2571]

best knot 🤑

[@tomj16601]

Looks a lot easier than a snail knot

[@jimmymiata7855]

Won’t cast right especially if it’s a thicker line like 7-8 wt. I tried this method for a while but found it better to use a braid to no no type knot that works better

[@mickwilkes3397]

Thanks for the comment Jimmy, as with all things fishing it comes down to a personal choice. I use this connection on a 9-10 wt salmon line without any issues but at least you gave it a try.

[@jimmymiata7855]

Absolutely true. I’m a tarpon guide in Key largo and its hard to find good knots and connections that won’t spook a Poon.

[@Hey_its_Koda]

I cut alittle tiny bit of my fly line off at the tip. My old leader was wrapped in tight knot around the tip of the fly line. Did i make a mistake?

[@mickwilkes3397]

It;s hard to say without seeing it but as with any knot it's always worth practising a few times until you feel you have it right, good luck with it.

[@austinprater11]

Does anyone know the name of this knot?

[@UK-Blue]

Sweet! 👍

[@fishingeorgia2659]

Do you need a special line or can you use like 12 pound mono

[@mickwilkes3397]

12lb mono is fine.

[@skrimpdaddy]

what is the name of the knot in the leader called?

[@HondoTrailside]

I know a better knot that that, and it was taught to me by a mentor from the UK. They seem to know how to keep things simple.

[@Mbillard12345]

What kind of knot you tie in your leader?

[@mickwilkes3397]

If I tie a knot in a leader for example to join to different diameters of line then I would use a double figure of eight knot.

[@Mbillard12345]

@@mickwilkes3397 thank you

[@kylereed6548]

perfect woooooo.

[@AustinIsOutdoors]

Yeah, this is my type of knot. F the nail knot.

[@jimmynoname4089]

Wouldn’t this give to much weight to the end of the fly line? Snell knot seems more appropriate for this

[@josephronan5049]

Can this knot slide through the rod guides easily

[@mickwilkes3397]

I've not encountered any problems...give it a try.

[@ninjakawasaki1972]

👍👍👍👍

[@clivevanstaden5651]

How long must the leader line be

[@mickwilkes3397]

Leader length is purely a personal choice based on flow/depth/clarity etc.

[@clivevanstaden5651]

@@mickwilkes3397 some dames are deep and some aren’t so how do I choose what length

[@clivevanstaden5651]

Dams*

[@mickwilkes3397]

There's no easy answer Clive as there are so many factors but if the fish are deep then you would probably opt for a sinking line or at least one with a sink tip...and also a heavier fly, then a standard leader length of 8'-10' would be ample.

[@clivevanstaden5651]

@@mickwilkes3397 thank you very much I did order my rod so when I get it I will see what suits me but thank you alot

[@jonathanlovett969]

A Uni- knot works just as well. No tools and a very small knot.

[@Solroper4461]

That is way too big, use the nail knot.

[@yoteslaya7296]

Nail knot is better

[@jamescooper2618]

Sorry, but this knot is way to bulky to be practical. It has bulk, wind resistance and will catch going through the guides. The Nail Knot is much smaller, much more streamlined and is not difficult to tie. I would never connect a leader in this fashion nor would I ever recommend it to anyone.

[@simonkingswood2032]

Huh ??? Ha ha ha ha wtf ?

[@patrickgalloy2274]

Too thick

[@fight4-freedom]

4 minutes of uselessness. I can tie a leader to braid in about 18 seconds. Ffs. . AND it will be a triple fly . I only watch this rubbish for a laugh. Seriously. 🤔

[@mickwilkes3397]

You should have switched off after a few seconds...that's 4 minutes of your life you'll never get back! 😂

[@vk3act]

Big & Builky!!! Yuk!!

[@whisperingblues9887]

What a load of rubbish it's obtrusive and shockingly over sized get real .

[@mickwilkes3397]

😂😂😂

[@whisperingblues9887]

That's bloody dreadful there are loads of better neater joins especially neater that's a abomination.

[@gemstatefisherman3409]

Most irritating thing in the word “commentary for a knot”

[@mickwilkes3397]

Should have turned the volume down in that case...or perhaps avoid watching it in the first place! 😊

[@gemstatefisherman3409]

@@mickwilkes3397 I tried but after a min and 20 seconds of backstory I gave up.

[@glennlaurents9439]

Not a nail not just a bugger