Nail Knot
A compact fishing-line join commonly used at a fly-line and leader connection. A small tube or knot tool helps thread the wraps.
How to tie the Nail Knot
- Overlap the lines beside a small tube.
- Wind the thinner line six times around the tube and lines, then thread its tag through the tube.
- Remove the tube, moisten, and seat the wraps evenly before trimming.
Safety note: These steps support practice and recognition. Climbing, rescue, lifting, towing, and other critical systems require qualified instruction and equipment-specific procedures.
Which knot should you choose?
Compare with the Albright for another unequal-line join; a loop connection serves a different need when frequent changes matter.
Why it earns its place
The low-profile finished join is useful where the connection must travel through rod guides.
Where it fails
Keep the coils aligned while removing the tool. Check compatibility with your fly-line construction and pull-test before fishing.
Quick facts
| Function | Fishing connection |
| Practice level | 3 / 5 (editorial rating) |
| Tutorial | Animated Knots by Grog |
External reference
KnotStyle provides the selection advice, written practice sequence, inspection points, and cautions above. Use this independent animation as an additional visual reference.
View external animation ↗Source and editorial notes
Reference: Animated Knots by Grog: Nail Knot. Source checked 2026-09-11. Selection advice and difficulty ratings are editorial judgments, not strength tests. How this guide is prepared.