There is no substitute for learning to tie good knots. If you build your own leaders you have the added flexibility of customizing leaders for different presentations and fishing situations.

• Nail knot - Used to attach the leader butt to the fly line. If you lightly coat this knot with epoxy, it will last all season.
• Perfection Loop - Used to attach two pieces of leader using a handshake loop. This knot has the advantage of being semi-permanent. Disconnecting the loops requires no cutting.
• Blood or Barrel knot - Used to join leader sections and tippets.
• Improved Clinch knot - Used to tie flies to tippets, probably the best all- around knot for subsurface applications.
• Turle knot - Used to tie flies to tippets, particularly very small flies and dry flies.

Always lubricate your knots with saliva before tightening to minimize damage from friction.

Tighten knots slowly and firmly, without jerking.

Clip all tag ends on all knots very close. If the knot is tied properly, the leader material will break before the knot slips.