How to Tie a Davy Knot: A 3 Step Guide

davy knot

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The Davy knot, named after its creator, fly fishing enthusiast Davy Wotton, is a remarkably quick, straightforward knot used primarily to secure your tippet material to your fly, hook, or lure. This knot is a favorite among anglers, especially when fishing for smaller species like trout. It’s hailed for its strength and compact size once tied.

Various tippet or leader line materials, such as fluoro and mono, can be used with the Davy knot. Not to mention, it’s quicker to tie than the Orvis knot, clinch knot, and other loop knots.

Let’s dive into the steps!

How To Tie The Davy Knot

how to tie the davy knot

Step 1

Thread the tag end of your mono or fluoro tippet through the eye of your hook or fly. Loop the tag end over the top of the main line and pass it through the loop to create the beginnings of an overhand knot or a full half hitch knot.

Step 2

Take the tag end and move it over the top of the bottom side of the loop, under it, and wrap it back through the loop. At this point, it should resemble a figure of eight.

Step 3

After lubricating the knot to reduce friction, hold the tag end and gently pull the main line until the end is tight against the eye of the hook. Ensure the tag end sits at a 90 degrees angle onto the hook or fly; this ensures a solid connection and prevents slippage.

Tips

This knot may seem too simple, but don’t let that deter you. With a bit of practice, you’ll be tying it at lightning speed. Remember, when tying the Davy knot, the tag end must sit taut against the eye of the hook at 90 degrees upon completion.

Check out this video for a step-by-step demonstration and additional tips on tying the Davy knot.

FAQs

What is a Davy knot used for?

The Davy knot, also known as the Fisherman’s knot, is a versatile knot used for joining two pieces of fishing line together. It’s also utilized in the construction of nets, ladders, and other items requiring a strong and secure knot.

Is the double Davy knot stronger than the Davy knot?

Contrary to what one might think, the double Davy knot is actually weaker than its single counterpart. This is due to the double Davy knot having two wraps around the main line, which undermines the knot’s security. For the strongest knot possible, stick to the single Davy knot.

Is the Davy knot good?

Absolutely! The Davy knot is easy to tie and, when done correctly, provides a strong, secure connection, making it a great choice for fishing line or other items requiring a firm knot.

What is the strongest loop knot for fishing?

How strong is the Davy knot?

The Davy knot is incredibly resilient. In various tests under pressure, this knot boasted a strength of 85-99%, averaging a strength of 90% of the pound test line used to tie it. This means if you tied the Davy knot with a 10lb test line, the knot would break at 9lbs of pressure. This makes it stronger than clinch knots but not quite as strong as Orvis knots. However, its small size and quick tying time make it a popular choice among anglers.

What is the Davy knot used for?

The Davy knot is a staple in the fly fishing world, particularly for attaching small flies to a small diameter line when catching trout. It’s popular due to its strength, speed of tying, and small size, which makes it less visible to fish. You can tie the Davy knot with both mono or fluoro material, but avoid braided lines as the knot will slip.

What is a double Davy knot?

double davy knot

The double Davy knot is an improved version of the Davy knot. It makes the connection a little stronger and less prone to slippage. While slightly larger than the original Davy knot, it’s still a compact knot you can use to connect a fly or hook to your line.

How strong is the double Davy?

Thanks to an extra turn through the loop, the double Davy is slightly stronger than the single Davy, hitting just over 90% when tested.

What is the strongest loop knot for fishing?

This depends on the size of the lines you’re using. If you’re fishing for trout with a 10lb line or smaller, a surgeon’s loop or a Kreh non-slip loop is your best bet. For heavier lines, I’d recommend the perfection loop.

Conclusion

Mastering the Davy knot is a game-changer in any fly fishing expedition. Its simplicity, speed, and strength make it an essential tool in your fishing arsenal. With some practice, you’ll be tying the Davy knot like a pro!

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