Double Davy Knot

How to tie the Double Davy Knot. The Davy Knot is attributed to Davy Wotton, a British Fly Fishing pro. The positive aspects of this knot are in speed, size and strength - all great attributes for a fishing knot. It is an excellent small profile knot for very small flies (size 22 to about size 18). We recommend moving up to the Double Davy when tying on flies starting around size 16 and up as it adds extra strength and seems to be more reliable as you get into heavier tippets and larger hook eyes.

 

A keen eye will notice that the tying method is the same as the very reliable J Knot for tying tippet to leader, just with less passes. Learn and use the J Knot and you will find tying the Double Davy a cinch!

 

The footprint of the knot remains fairly small and the third time through just takes a moment more and is arguably worth the extra time for the added security. One reported issue with this knot and the (single) Davy is when it is used to tie to a heavy gauge hook with very light tippet such as 4x - 6x. In situations where light tippet is used on larger flies, we would recommend a different knot such as the Orvis Knot.

 

 

Double Davy Knot Tying Instructions

• Thread 3 to 4 inches of leader (or tippet) through the hook eye.


• Loosely form a simple overhand knot ahead of the hook.


• Bring the tag end back through the loop making sure to pass between the overhand knot and the hook itself. That completes the (single) Davy.

• For the Double Davy, just pass the tag end back through the loop one more time. An alternate way of tying the Double Davy is to just make a second wrap the same as the previous step (through the loop in the same direction as opposed to reversing direction).


• Tighten the knot by pulling first on the tag end to draw up the knot, then on the main line to set the knot.