Rigs Lab · Fishing knots
Haywire twist
Line to fly in 1.5 min.
Also called haywire, haywire knot, haywire twist knot, haywire wrap
Fastens stiff single-strand wire to a fly eye by twisting both strands around each other, then locking them with tight barrel wraps. Big-game fly anglers use it for bite-proof connections on barracuda, sharks, king mackerel and similar toothy fish.
- turns, usually
- 5
- min to tie
- 1.5
- Joins
- Line to fly
- Turns
- 4, 5, 6 (usually 5)
- Time to tie
- 1.5 min
- Line
- .011" to .024"
How to tie it
Step 1: Pass the wire through the hook eye and bend the tag back alongside the standing wire, pinching the loop to the size you want.
Step 2: Cross the two strands and twist them together at the same time so each wraps around the other at about 45 degrees, making about five even haywire twists.
Step 3: Bend the tag to a right angle with the standing wire.
Step 4: Make three to five tight barrel wraps with the tag, each lying against the last and square to the standing wire.
Step 5: Bend the tag into a small handle and crank it like a reel handle, or rock it back and forth, until it breaks off at the last barrel wrap; never cut it with pliers, which leaves a sharp burr.
Rigs that use it
No published rig ties it yet.