Tie a small fishing knot with a half hitch and a second tuck beside the hook eye.
The Davy knot uses little line and has a small finished body. After the line passes through the eye, the tag forms a half hitch around the standing line. A second pass through the eye-side opening places the tag where the knot can trap it against the eye.
Because the knot is compact, a misplaced final tuck can be difficult to notice. Inspect the tag’s route before drawing it down. Keep enough free end to handle the knot comfortably; a minimal finished knot does not require starting with an unmanageably short tag.
When to use it
- Attach a small fly to a compatible tippet.
- Practice a compact alternative to a wrapped eye knot.
Keep in mind
Performance depends on tippet, eye shape and careful seating. Test the connection with the intended line; small size alone is not a measure of security.
Check your knot
- The first turn forms a half hitch around the standing line.
- The second tuck uses the opening on the eye side.
- The tag is trapped against the eye when the knot seats.