Nail Knot
Designed for splicing a monofilament leader to a fly line. As the name implies, a nail is needed to tie this knot, although a toothpick or straw can be substituted.

(1) Lay eight to 10 inches of leader and fly line overlapping and parallel to each other, with a six-penny nail in-between.

(2) Using the leader line, loop up to eight coils back around the fly line, the nail and the leader. Using the nail as a guide, run the leader line back under the coils.

(3) Hold the loosely-gathered knot with one hand as you withdraw the nail with the other hand.

(4) Pull on both ends of the leader line to tighten the knot. Trim the tag ends of the leader and the fly line.