If you are looking for a strong, easy knot to tie on a fly, especially if your eyesight is not all that good and you are using fine tippets, consider the Turle Knot. It is named after Major William Greer Turle, a 19th-century English angler who popularized the knot but did not claim to have invented it. It is most often used to tie on a fly with a turned up or turned down eye. Advantages of this knot are that it can be tied with the fly out of the way, and when finished the line emerges parallel to the hook shaft, giving a better set when a fish is hooked.
There are several variations to this knot and this one would be considered the “Improved Turle Knot.” Lefty Kreh suggests tucking the tag end through the large loop before tightening the knot onto the hook eye, but that is optional.
Do you have fly fishing tips to share?
We are seeking submissions for a new monthly column we’re calling “Tackle Tips.” Our first entry is above, so you can get an idea of what we’re looking for. If you would like to share tips and tricks on any aspect of fly fishing, send us an article! Submissions should be no longer than 350 words. Bonus points if you also send us an image to use with your article. If you’re interested, send us an email.
By Kevin Haney
You must be logged in to post a comment.