How to Tie the Double Davy Knot?

Use Case: Tippet to Fly

You know, there’s something almost meditative about tying knots by the river—the sound of the water, the way your fingers fumble a bit when they’re cold, that quiet focus before the first cast. And if there’s one knot that’s saved my bacon more times than I can count, it’s the Double Davy. It’s not the fanciest knot out there, and it sure doesn’t get the hype of, say, the improved clinch or the loop knots everyone argues about. But man, when you’re tying tippet to a fly in a hurry, or when the light’s fading and your hands are stiff, this little guy is a lifesaver.

I first learned the Double Davy from an old guide up in Montana—one of those guys who could tie anything blindfolded while telling a story about the one that got away. He showed it to me after I’d lost three flies in a row to what I swore were “stealthy, ninja trout.” Turns out, my knots were just garbage. The Double Davy fixed that. It’s stupid simple, but it holds like a champ, especially with lighter tippets.

Here’s the thing—you start just like the regular Davy knot (which, by the way, is already a solid choice). Thread the tippet through the eye of the fly, leave a few inches to work with, then wrap the tag end around the standing line twice. Not once, not three times—twice. That’s the sweet spot. Then, here’s where it gets a little fiddly: you take the tag end and poke it back through the little loop you’ve just made right next to the fly’s eye. Sounds easy, right? But the first few times, you’ll probably mess it up. I sure did. Either the wraps overlap weird, or the tag end slips out before you cinch it down.

And speaking of cinching—this is crucial—you’ve gotta wet the knot before pulling it tight. Saliva works in a pinch, but if you’re near the water, dunk it. Dry friction is the enemy here. I learned that the hard way on the Yellowstone, watching a nice cutthroat vanish into the current because my knot snapped on the strike. Lesson burned into my brain forever.

Now, the Double Davy isn’t perfect for everything. If you’re throwing big streamers or fishing heavy currents, you might want something beefier. But for dry flies and small nymphs? It’s gold. And the best part? It’s fast. Like, “fish rising while you’re still tying” fast. I’ve tied it mid-drift more times than I’d care to admit, and it’s never let me down.

There’s a rhythm to it, you know? After a while, your fingers just know what to do—wrap, poke, pull, done. And when you’re standing there with a fish on the line and your knot holds, that’s the real test. Funny how something so small can make all the difference between a story about the one that got away and the one that didn’t.

Anyway, next time you’re rigging up, give it a shot. Might just save you a fly or two. Or, if you’re like me, your dignity.