The Davy Knot

[@bryanandryszak925]

Hi, Tim. I LOVE this knot! I’m relatively new to fly fishing. I’m really clumsy tying knots, and doing the Clinch and/or Improved Clinch I consistently have trouble with the starting loop slipping between my fingers due to the multiple (4 to 6 recommended) twists that the knot requires, not to mention adding an addition pass-through of the loop with the tag end if I’m doing an Improved Clinch. The Davy Knot is so much easier for me, and even quicker to tie using the hackle pliers for either the single or double Davy. Even after your release of this KZbin tutorial 9yrs ago, I hope that you are pleased that it still helps neophytes like me learn more to further develop our fly fishing skills. Thanks again, Tim. Much appreciated!

[@DeanKoehler-vm3vk]

I used the Davy knot on the stream yesterday using 5, 6, and 7x tippet after practicing it a few times at home. I tie it using a small hemostat instead of hackle pliers. I found it easy to tie and super strong. I had zero failures. AWESOME KNOT! 👍

[@davidwilson996]

I don't know why, but after watching waaaay too many videos on how to do this knot, I finally found one I could visualize and copy. The pliers/forceps idea is especially helpful, especially with hands as big as mine. Many thanks!

[@glenndotter5065]

just remember over,under,around & thru! It is a simple and very good knot. I have been fly fishing for 57 years and have switched to this knot exclusively.

[@lornehargis2614]

Excellent mantra...over, under, around and through. Thanks

[@gravityalwayswins1434]

This is a superb knot that holds well because it is simple. Being simple it snugs up incredibly tight, and that is the big key to its holding power. The fishing line doesn't heat up and loose its strength. Once I started using this knot I was immediately sold. Simple, and solid.

[@fwood1231]

I'd totally forgotten this knot. Used it for a long time with small flies but forgot about it when I started fishing in saltwater and used the Palomar instead. Testing this knot with nylon and fluoro, I'm having the knot slip with the fluoro if it isn't seated correctly as mentioned. Thanks for the great illustration. I'll be using this a lot. Much easier on old eyes and arthritic fingers.

[@chrisuk1000]

Since you put me in to this knot I can’t stop using it, confidence is key

[@Jeremyschannel1]

Thanks for this video. I had tried the Davy knot before, and found that it was very strong when I tested it against clinch knot, but I practice I was having trouble with it coming undone while fishing, so I switched back to the clinch knot. I had never heard the tip about seating the tag correctly, nor had I heard that the double Davy is better for sizes larger than 18 - those two tips may have solved my problem! I'll have to try the Davy know and double Davy again.

[@dave-d-grunt]

Just came up on my recommendations. I need this one! My hands and eyes don’t do so well now. This is easier to see and tie

[@mrbobo966]

“I keep my hackle pliers ringed to my nippers at the end of my zinger” that’s a great sentence

[@thefella131]

Sounds painful. 😅

[@BazColne]

When you can make something look this simple you've really mastered it.

[@willsharphomes]

excellent video! I watched it about a year ago and started using the Davy knot a lot. I use it with larger line sizes fishing for bass as well. I've had extremely good luck even with good sized bass. fishing with children it is awesome to use because they want to change flies or lures often and this only takes a few seconds. I used it ice fishing for panfish and trout last year as well.

[@ugsisr]

It is the only knot I use to tie all size flies and streamers on to tippet/leader. Just as you showed in this video single davy for 22 down to 16 and double davy 14 and below.. Never had a knot failure using this knot... Thank You!

[@fishbaileyisland]

ugsisru

[@bjbrown6488]

This is an excellent knot and we have never had any trouble losing fish with it. We fish here in Colorado mostly for trout and it's worked great. I love the simplicity and the smallness of the finished Davey knot.

[@finn6988]

My uncle Banks was the kind of fisherman who would wake you up at 3 a.m. on a rainy morning to go fishing and he had a knot. The "Banks knot". I'll try to describe it here. It's very simple and very strong. It's only drawback is that it isn't quick; it takes some effort... Loop you line through the eye. Leave some slack. Then loop your line a second time through the eye, leaving the same slack. Then tie a simple double-overhand knot on both lines and cinch closed. You're done. It's tight, doesn't slip and isn't bulky...

[@blvdws]

Sounds similar to a knot I came up with last year, but have yet to put it to the real test.

[@davidaguiar1387]

Thanks for sharing! I've found the double davy to be one of the easiest knots to tie with my aging eyes and fingers. As you show ,it can be tied quickly by grabbing the end of the tag line with a set of hackle pliers and then weaving the tip through the loop per the knots pattern.. (I prefer to use Olsen Hegar style hemostats ( with scissors) vs hackle pliers as I already have them in my bag.) Coupled with a magnetic fly threader, I can now tie on a fly in 1/4 the time. I'm never going back to struggling the improved clinch. Besides being small and strong this knot saves a lot of frustration while on the water.

[@DavidWCoulter]

Nice instruction with good, appropriately calm music. Learned a good knot and relaxed at the end of a long day. Thanks, dwc

[@TheBrianfanner]

Great knot! I have been fishing this knot for the past year now since I first saw this video. Easy and fast to tie and very strong. Won't ever use a clinch knot again. I use my hemostat in place of the hackle pliers. Thanks

[@robertpaulis439]

Another great part about the 2 Davy's is hardly any wasted line when finished.

[@frogfoot198]

I've always used the Double Davy Knot. Easy and quick to tie and I have never had it break or come loose. And I fish primary salt water species.

[@danfloros4267]

Solid knot for its simplicity. They are all good - Uni, Blood, Turtle, Loop, Orvis, Davy...use what you like and suits you.

[@morganheberling]

the davy knot ROCKS! i love knots and learning new ones. i accidentally clicked on this vid not, ha, looking at the screen. pure serendipity. which my endocrinology prof. operationally defined as, "looking for a needle in a haystack and finding the farmer's daughter!" maybe not the same, but kinda serendipitous... AND i cannot believe 516 people gave this a thumbs down... hater's gunna hate i guess!

[@irsyadomar256]

Im using this knot over a year..no problem at all.. Very Simple..easy..the most important its very strong knot..nice knot..

[@rightmarker1]

Davy is great knot single or double especially when your fingers are cold. Good video as are all from you and your collaborators. Thanks. John. 🇨🇦🇬🇧

[@randyeggleston7138]

I finally went back to tying this knot even after loosing a few, i now double up my line and improve the knot and 8lb flouro broke before the knot. It is a sick knot.

[@morganheberling]

when you say double up, are you tying a davy on top of a davy? or are you tying it palomar-esk? where you tie the davy with a loop like a palomar? or doubling up through the eye like a trilene knot. both options should really add some serious strength to it... i think. your take?

[@apocalypticangell]

Thanks so much for this video! I've been trying to understand the Davy vs Double Davy and figure out a good way to tie them for months now! This is awesome!

[@keithgillogly7675]

I use the Davy and at times the Double Davy fishing off a small pier here in San Diego catching Mackerel on 10lb line with sizes #4 and #2 hooks and have never experienced any failures. Easy to tie when night fishing on the lighted pier.

[@glennhagan9950]

I've been using the Davy & Double Davy with Trouthunter Flouro since I 1st watched this video with great success. Fast, easy & strong.

[@tightlinevideo]

Glenn Hagan Great to hear Glenn. How are you with a blood knot? snicker snicker

[@paddycranham1279]

I have been using the double day out boat fishing and had no worries even landing conger,rays and smoothound and so easy to tye thanx for sharing

[@TERRYBIGGENDEN]

I discovered the Davy knot a couple of months ago. I can honestly say that it never fails. The tippet or leader break before the knot. Extraordinary! And thats the single version. :-)

[@davidwester9761]

I've used the Davy for the one year I've been fly fishing and only used the single Davy. I've not had any break-offs related to it, but most of my experience has been on a tailwater with few flies above size 18 maybe that's why. I'll add the Double Davy for bigger flies and great tip on the pliers! Working with 7x is a b*tch so this should help.

[@randyeggleston7138]

I fished the davy knot, actually the improved davy knot, i tied this knot over and over the same as i would any new knot. I did this at home untill i was very comfortable on the river. I was fishing a size 6 prince nymph and hooked a nice steelhead, i played the fish just like any other steelhead with 8 lb fluorocarbon covered mono and then lost the fish, i figured he just popped off, and of coarse i inspected my line and found the little pig tail that all fisherman hate to see. The knot slipped, so i went back home and made sure i was tying it right and i have, so i gave the knot another chance and sure as crap it had slipped on another steelhead, i wouldn't recommend this knot for steelhead, i guess smaller planted fish in the lake would be fine but myself ill stick to the improved clinch. Please dont take this personal, titeline has taught me a lot of great ideas that has made me in my eyes a better angler, so thank you so much. Randy Eggleston.

[@vladimirligda]

My father taught me this knot when I was a kid. I have been using an improved, 3 x full eights, version of this for 25 years, not using any other. Most of the time I am using 6x and 7x mono nylons and I am used to changing flies fast. My recommendation is to use 3 full eights davy from 6x nylon down to make sure the knot is 100% reliable. 2x full eights = double-double davy according this video, can sometimes fail on you with lower diameters especially if you into 30cm + fish, I am using that only with dry fly on flat clear pools and delicate fish. I often use small flies size 20-16 and I dont see an issue with the size of knot. Davy is a great knot, but make sure you suport it with more eights the lighter nylon you get.

[@jaquesdaniels2964]

Another good one, I switched to using this knot instead of my usual clinch knot, I test my knots once tied up, clinch knot fails quite often but yet to have a davy fail on me; size 14 and 16 bead head nymphs fished euro style, trout are small. Soft rod.Mentioned those details because I think balancing the outfit to the rod and target fish is sometimes overlooked;

[@iffik68]

Fantastic job. Looks simple and easy. Thanks a lot and good luck.

[@unclesix76]

Really cool and easy to learn, but I haven't try it after I learned from youtube, this summer I will try to use it as my favorite fishing knot, I'll also try to teach my friend too.

[@adventureswithfrodo2721]

REAT video. I learned of the Davy knot in a book on tying ultra small flies, 22 and less. I have used it but have to relearn it after fly fishing hyatius. I have worked on tying it with hemostats but your way is great, expeciall with old eyes. THANKS

[@hellandheaven66]

Yesterday i testerd first time the davy knot, with 0,14 Diameter tippet line, for rainbows. a real great knot. from now on i use the DAVY

[@jaquesdaniels2964]

Excellent video, I tried this knot, very easy to tie and neat finish as described. I always test my knots after tying on a fly,I put the bend of the hook onto a split ring or the finger rings on my forceps and pull hard, then if alls well, I cut off the tag., I found the Davy knot can slip a little- twice- then it seats, so I reckon its a great knot. I prefer the Turle knot usually as I feel it gives better presentation, but can trap hackles etc. The Davey knot seems to keep the fly in line better than the grinner (clinch?) knot I use in place of the Turle. Cannot say for sure as I have not tested it out sufficiently, but its a handy knot for sure.

[@danielholtxxl4936]

Jaques Daniels Why not a palomar knot? Relatively easy to tie and very strong.

[@rbdavisphoto]

I've been using this for a few years, but only the Double Davy on #4 tippet. I never have a knot failure if I tied it right. It's fast and simple. You can't catch fish while you're tying knots! Best of all, it conserves tippet. Absolute minimal tag to cut.

[@ianbruce6515]

I suspect that the difference between the wire diameter of the eye of the hook and the diameter of the tippet affects the success of the knot. If the wire of the hook is much larger than the tippet, the extra turn is recommended. With the improved clinch on large hooks for bass etc--I tend to start the knot with an extra round turn through the eye. I imagine the same holds for the Davy knot and that is when you need the Double Davy. Eager to try it!

[@jojodisco11]

Awesome knot! Double Davy will not fail!

[@SamWags]

maybe even a triple?

[@jojodisco11]

Just to make sure! Davy chain knot haha!

[@feckineejit1]

I always use the double Davy knot, my eyes ain't that great so bit fiddly, glad I watched this as I have some clips in my tying room, I never thought to use one for tying the knot, will definitely have one in the bag on my next fishing outting. Cheers

[@fanfare123]

I've practiced the (single) Davy knot with heavy cord and a metal washer, it worked great and seemed to be very strong and tight. When I tried yesterday to tie a fly to 6 lb. monofilament it seemed to slip and not stay tied. I lubricated the line before tightening and it came undone easily. Any pointers for using with actual fly and line?

[@Caughtitoutdoors]

Two weeks ago, I lost two good fish while fly fishing for bluegill using rio pf 7x tippet. The Davy knot would slip with 7x. This week I fought and landed a 5.7lbs catfish that hit a fly on 6x tippet, but I tied the double Davy. I had a tippet ring in the mix too. I am sold on this knot. Smallest and strongest. And if you doubt my catch, check out the video for yourself ;)

[@budonstad9726]

Has become my favorite knot. Great for old folk like me with bad eyes and stiff fingers.

[@Hunterslife315]

Great tunes for the back round music for the video, great video simple and easy.

[@paulheron6581]

I’ve been using the uni knot and, after reading the comment below, think I’ll stick w it.

[@rbdavisphoto]

I've been using this for 6 years. Knot failure is operator error. This is fast and you can't catch fish when you're tying knots!

[@lazarovoorheeshernandez8674]

VERY NICE INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO, ONE OF THE BEST I'VE SEEN. THANKS!!!

[@ricdonato4328]

Never type in all caps, it implies YELLING and SCREAMING.

[@paulkasputis5978]

When I trout fish, I usually fish a 3 wt with 7X and midges in the clearest water you could imagine. I'll give this knot a try.

[@williamweaver7626]

Thanks for sharing the Davy Knot. Very handy!

[@robertbarr8001]

Truly excellent in all respects. God bless you!!

[@JLPryce]

Great knots. Like em for their simplicity and dependability. No problems with either. Lp

[@richludt2962]

We learned this knot in the 60’s tying it with rope in the Boy Scouts. It’s called the Timber Hitch.

[@theJlangdon34]

Thank you, my fishing guide Ty's this. I forgot the name. Very strong knot!

[@nashkraft4387]

Hey i have been playing around with tying rabbit zonkers and I have found that they look beautiful in the water. I just caught a few nice brookies on a little pattern that I threw together and it really utilizes the rabbit strips well. So I was just wondering if a great tie-er like you would have any interesting patterns that use rabbit zonkers. If so I would love to see them!

[@tightlinevideo]

The Pearl Zonker does, and we did a video for that a short time ago. The other one to try is the Pine Squirrel Streamer (one of my favorite patterns). Use the rabbit zonker instead of Pine Squirrel. Tie it on a larger streamer hook 4, 6, 8, great fly for large trout particularly after dark.

[@nashkraft4387]

Thanks

[@Padredemanzana]

unbelievable. simple strong knot.Thank you for the video.

[@jef3457]

I have tried this knot and prefer the Orvis knot for all size tippets and flies. I also use the Orvis knot to tie leader and tippet materials together. I have found the Orvis knot superior in every way to the Improved Clinch, Turle and Davy knot.

[@tightlinevideo]

I can't agree with you on that one Jeffrey. If nothing else, the Davy Knot ends up being about half the size of the Orvis Knot which is particularly important for small flies, say 18 and smaller. These are the sizes for which the knot is intended. For me personally, the Davy Knot is also much easier to tie and seat with very light tippet. That said, the Orvis Knot and the Non-Slip Loop Knot are two of my favorites for saltwater. To each his own I guess.

[@jef3457]

tightlinevideo I agree that the Orvis knot is a little larger but so easy to tie off the eye of the hook and can be released. I use it to tie on dropper above the lead fly. If I want to change the lead fly without changing the dropper fly I just slide it up the leader and my lead fly is easily accessible. If I tie the dropper on the bend of the lead fly I leave a small tag to open the knot and can easily change the dropper with a pre-tied one. It is a preference but for me it is so versatile, I can't get away from it, even in saltwater situations. Thanks for your post. It gives a solid alternative to many angler's struggling with all kinds of knots.

[@MrMikeChain]

Excellent knot....also a good pair of cheaters should be incorporated if you are 40 yrs or older! For the smaller knots I would suggest a powerful but space saving magnifying glass.

[@davidblaker6085]

Nice video i have been trying to find a good knot for small nymphs and i think i got it.

[@davidbaker4838]

Life saver for older less nimble fingers. It is all I use.

[@jackchn23]

How well would two of theses Davy knots work to join a leader to a main line? Kind of like a uni to uni knot.

[@skydogx4]

Does it work well/at all/soso with fluorocarbon line?

[@lornehargis2614]

Not completely sold? Now completely sold? Please clarify. If not sold on these knots, why? Breaking strength? Other? Thanks

[@wawywawo]

Very good looking ez knot I’ll practice this where - thnx

[@georgereid6514]

.My family can attest to me having very fat fingers along with trouble focusing up close through my bi-focals. It can take upwards of five or what seems like ten minutes to tie one clinch knot. I recently found the Davy knots online in Animated Knots by Grog. Much easier for me. It helped bring down the stress level of trying to hurry up and get that line back in the water. Stress while fishing is somewhat of an oxymoron.

[@RalphBellairs]

Much as I hate to contradict you, if the tag end isn't at 90 degrees to the running line when tightened down, it is very much NOT OK and will slip. I speak from bitter experience. I still use this knot all the time and only made that mistake once. Unless I'm fishing tiny flies I do prefer the double Davy knot though, but only because I feel more confident using it.

[@ducfat1]

Thanks Tim! Great videos. Been using the Davy for about 7 years on everything from 12s to 16s, wets and dries. Easy to tie in low light. Only time it's slipped on me is when I've treed a fly that's out of reach and I'm pulling my line to snap the tippet. Will give the Double Davy a shot next time out. Thoughts on the Uni/Duncan knot? I probably use that 50/50 with the Davy, especially with nymphs and streamers. Is there a way to tie it to keep the loop from collapsing under tension?

[@tightlinevideo]

ducfat1 If I'm not using a Davy Knot I use a Uni/Duncan and have tremendous faith in it (plus I can actually tie it with my eyes closed). You can sorta get the loop to stay open for a while if you seat the knot really hard before closing down the loop. If that doesn't work, I'll switch to the Non-Slip Loop Knot.

[@anthonydeacon881]

Try the Daiwa Sokkou knot tool for this. It's a great aid for this and many other knots: far superior to the 'hackle plier' shown (though more expensive). I've found it helpful as my eyes get older and also for conserving tippet and droppers as they get shorter.

[@77orebro]

I've only seen that the Daiwa is used for surgeons knot. Does it really work for davy knot?

[@anthonydeacon881]

@@77orebro Why wouldn't the Sokku tool work? It's just a device that is smaller and therefore more nimble (than your fingers) for grasping the tag end of your monofil and manipulating it. It's just a tool, not especially knot specific. Moreover, since its smoother than those plunger style hackle pliers, it draws back through the loops more easily. Another tool that I have discovered for the same sort of knot tying jobs are fine Hartmann alligator forceps, used in surgery. They are widely available and not very expensive.

[@77orebro]

@@anthonydeacon881 Oh I didn't know that you actually can grip the line with the Daiwa too. Thank you for your recommendations 🙏

[@77orebro]

Update. I bought the Daiwa and I'm really disappointed. The tip section is too short for knotting a double davy with 4-5 x tippet. I think a thin diameter hemeostats may do the job much better.

[@anthonydeacon881]

@@77orebro I can tie a Double Davy knot with mine, but I would certainly agree with you that the 'tube' of the Daiwa Sokku tool could usefully be longer.

[@cponting1]

I always use a Double Davy. One more turn makes it stronger, and it saves wasted tippet as the tag can be kept really small.

[@LittleBubbleSon]

I should've been taught this when i was a child instead of a snell! Hehe. Never too late to learn

[@zenbooter]

Hi Robert. If I should be so bold, most people snell the hook wrong. Think about it; the tag is supposed to end up inside the whip. Check it out. It is done the same way you whip the finished head of a fly you tied by hand not the whipping tool.

[@thomabb]

I tried the improved Davey for a season. It came undone on me twice at the bottom fly, so I don't use it there any more. Where I do still use the single Davey occasionally is when I add a dropper to the leader. No short tippet material to twist up and knot, and the Davey can be undone so I can change the top fly.

[@mduran613]

it looks simple but effect and will save some time tying...should you wet the line before cinching it down?

[@barrymarshall3592]

Miguel Duran Always wet the line when tying any knot. Happy Fishing!

[@MaxxDoberman]

That is one wicked looking hook.

[@larryglatt2548]

Best how to vid I've seen; thanks a bunch.

[@richctree3088]

Where do you find plunger pliers.

[@tightlinevideo]

Most fly shops now carry them. Electronics stores (Radio Shack) do to, for handling transistors and the like.

[@euandyer]

I've been looking for an alternative to the turle knot. I'll give this a try.

[@arfurfoxhaike]

Thans for an excellent tutorial for a great fishing tip.

[@naturegreen7233]

Hi, is ORVIS knot good for braid line as well? (Or good for only mono and floro?)

[@tightlinevideo]

I’m not sure about the orvis not for braid. I have been using a Uni knot for braid for years with no problems.

[@naturegreen7233]

@@tightlinevideo Thank you so much....👍👍👍

[@dashawalrath2057]

Would this be good with braided line?

[@703mochababy]

That tool makes it so easy to tie. Thank you

[@77orebro]

Which brand is the plier?

[@clarkedarren241]

Can i use this knot to tie new mono to a reel ?.

[@--Bride]

Is this knot good for crappie? and also how strong can this knot handle (lb)

[@TMB247]

Looks like it will be easy to tie in heavy wind ... hope it works well with braided line ... I will find out

[@lelandkoeser9589]

does the double davy knot need to have the tag end at a 90 degree angle?

[@ConederateShots50]

Every time i use this knot i might have to tie it a couple times to get it right without it snapping under appropriate pressure, even on medium sized tippet. I always make sure to seat it correctly. Does anyone else have this problem, if so, is there something that can be done about it?

[@МиколаФишман-ы2щ]

просто, как и все гениальное, спасибо, теперь только так буду вязать.

[@Piterszczyk]

Hi, do you reckon this knot would be good to use with braided line and fluorocarbon? thanx

[@Piterszczyk]

Ok I saw your comment about using it on FC. How about braided line?

[@Piterszczyk]

And what do you think about securing knots with a bit of superglue?

[@tightlinevideo]

Piterszczyk Have not tried it with braid and feel other knots would work better.

[@tightlinevideo]

Piterszczyk I generally don't carry any with me while fishing and find most knots, like the Davy do just fine without it.

[@Piterszczyk]

tightlinevideo Ok, thx for your answer. I need to try this Davy knot- bought a size 3 rod recently and I'm planning to test it on my local little streams with micro flies (so far I've only done fly fishing for pike so didn't even tie the line directly to the hook a single time ;) I've been using a large tippet ring at the end of the trace and improved clinch to tie it to the leader).

[@Pray4Mojo1]

The regular davy does slip out. A double davy is a really good knot though, and seems to be quite strong. Not sure if it's as strong as the palomar though.

[@marcelomota5661]

Good knot. Just one correction: the line must always pass in front of the barb of the hook, to the upper eye. Not as shown. Good fishing!!

[@santaellamedia7077]

Is this sometimes called a nymph knot?

[@jacobstarr9010]

I like using this when tying on very small flies. Otherwise, I just use the uni knot.

[@davethomasthedreamteam9418]

Is anyone backing two davy knots up to each other to tie tippet to leader?

[@michaelburr9775]

Well done 👏.. thank you 😊

[@PRACERZ]

Very cool, thanks ! I have never used that one.

[@donfinch1976]

Fishing knots

[@donfinch1976]

PRACERZ hoisting knots

[@gofwynne]

hi great vid where can I buy the hackle tool that you use

[@casperaudi7476]

Great job but still like the clinch knot thank you will try it in the future. thanks

[@unclesix76]

very useful and easy to learn.

[@abanjehangirboocha9368]

Wai Keung Leung porn

[@ricardoalvarado1613]

I making the knot but is not working every time I trying to do it slip ,.I tink this knot is for rope mountain tankyou

[@centralmassanglers]

Yup it worked thanks so much for the help and vids definitely the double for 18 and up thanks