Double Turle Knot
Double Turle Knot
A classic fly fishing knot that passes through the hook eye and cinches around the shank for in-line pull. Preferred for flies with turned-up or turned-down eyes where standard knots produce off-angle pull.
Video by Sportfishing Report on YouTube
About the Double Turle Knot
The Double Turle Knot is a traditional fly fishing terminal knot attributed to Major William Greer Turle in the 19th century. Its design passes a loop of line over the entire fly and tightens around the hook shank just behind the eye — creating a straight in-line pull that many fly anglers believe gives their flies better action.
It's especially popular for flies tied on hooks with turned-up or turned-down eyes, where standard knots through the eye create a slight angle that can affect the fly's swimming motion. The 'double' version uses two hitches instead of one for significantly improved security.
Best Used For
Ideal applications
- ✓ Flies with turned-up or turned-down eye hooks
- ✓ Wet flies and nymphs where in-line pull improves action
- ✓ Light tippet on smaller fly patterns
Not ideal for
- ✗ Straight-eye hooks (Palomar or Orvis performs better)
- ✗ Braided line or heavy mono
- ✗ Large or bulky flies where loop won't pass over easily
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these 5 steps to tie the Double Turle Knot. Watch the video above while following along.
Step 1: Thread through the eye
Pass 8 inches of tippet through the hook eye. Hold the fly and tag end together.
Step 2: Tie two half hitches
Tie two half hitches in the tag end, creating a small double loop. Do not pull tight yet — keep the loops loose.
Step 3: Pass loops over the fly
Slide both loops up over the entire fly (hook, hackle, and all) from the eye end to the bend. Let them slide back toward the eye.
Step 4: Seat behind the eye
Pull the standing line to draw the double half hitches tight around the hook neck, just behind the eye. The loops should grip the shank firmly.
Step 5: Trim the tag
Wet and pull firmly to ensure the knot is fully seated. Trim the tag end close to the knot.
Pro Tips
- Keep the double loop loose enough to slide over the fly's hackle
- Seat the knot right at the hook neck, just behind the eye
- Two hitches create a significantly more secure connection than one
- Works best on hook sizes 10-16 where tippet is light enough to manipulate easily
Common Mistakes
- Tightening the loops before passing them over the fly
- Loop too small to pass over the hackle — needs to slide past the entire fly
- Seating the knot on the line instead of the hook shank
- Using only one hitch — the single Turle Knot is much weaker