20141120-SCREW THE NAIL KNOT aka nailless nail knot

[Slip Sinker]

So im out on the lake with no internet service fly fishing for the first time last year and had to retie a leader… I used the nail knot with the help of the straw and the internet at home and I forgot how to tie the darn knot. I tried for about a half an hour and came up with something that was close but get this… EASIER TO TIE! AND NO NAILS OR STRAWS!!. It seems to have the relative same knot strength, but I can tie this knot in the dark. Try it out. I couldn’t find any reference on line close so I called it what I exclaimed at the dock. SCREW THE NAIL KNOT!

i have just found a reference to this knot (NAILLESS NAIL KNOT) i like my name better lol

THE THINNER LINE TO THE LEFT IS THE LEADER...

[Andy is OptiMystic]

I use a braided butt connector and just have to tie a loop in the leader. Easy to swap out leaders, doesn't catch on anything and it's so much fun to watch the face of sporting goods clerks who have no idea what you're talking about when you ask for one...

[carl hendrix]

I have found most  of those guys in sporting good stores have little if any idea of what  we want in fly fishing.  but if yo uuse those push in pins in fly line;; those hold great!!  never seen one break  and its a lot easier to use to.  on the nail knot tie;; depends on how many times you tie it-- to get use to it.  and how you place the line in your hand!!  I have tied the nail knot many- many times;; there are a couple of tricks  to it!!

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

I have a Nail Knot tool. It makes it pretty easy, at least IMHO.
I also like the No Slip Eye Carl is talking about.
The common loop-to-loop is also great.
I've even used the "No Knot" connection to good effect. It's fiddly, though, and not so good if you swap your leaders around a lot. You can use it to fit a mono connector loop to your line, however, and for that it's awesome...

I suppose if I was a big leader swapper, I might consider the Nail Knot more... but I'd probably just use the wire eyelets or one of the loop connectors instead.

But since I discovered tippet rings, well... leaders last me a looong time.