Tom Rowland | Fly Line Loop Strength Test: Welded vs Nail Knots | Tom Rowland Podcast Ep. 885

Tom Rowland, host of the Tom Rowland Podcast, tests fly line loop strength using a manufacturer's welded loop versus a handmade loop created with double nail knots. In this How 2 Tuesday episode, Tom discovers surprising results that challenge conventional wisdom about fly line rigging. He reveals which connection method proved stronger, what actually failed during the break test, and why the Ti Fast nail knot tool matters. If you've ever questioned whether to trust factory loops or tie your own, this hands-on experiment delivers the answer you need to hear.

The Controversy: Factory Loops vs. Hand-Tied Connections

For years, experienced fly fishermen have approached modern factory-welded loops with skepticism. Tom explains that many anglers who've been at the sport for a while simply don't trust the manufacturer's pre-made loops that come on fly lines like the Cortland Precision. Their reasoning? They've never lost a tarpon using the traditional method of cutting off the factory loop and creating their own with nail knots, so why risk changing now? This old-school mentality has persisted despite advances in fly line manufacturing technology. Tom decided to put both methods to the ultimate test using his break-testing equipment to see which connection would actually hold up under pressure. Watch the full break test starting at 3:25.

The Hand-Tied Method: Creating Loops with Double Nail Knots

Tom demonstrates the traditional approach many veteran fly fishermen swear by: doubling over the fly line and securing it with nail knots to create a loop. He emphasizes that using a Ti Fast nail knot tool makes this process significantly easier and produces more consistent results. This simple folded piece of aluminum helps create the perfect nail knot every time, whether you're skilled at tying them by hand or not. Tom points out that it's probably the cheapest piece of fishing gear you could ever buy, though the exact cost is minimal. The tool ensures you can tie tight, secure nail knots that should theoretically hold your loop in place under tremendous strain. But does this time-tested method actually deliver the strength anglers assume it does? The surprising answer comes at 3:37.

The Break Test Results: What Actually Failed

Tom's reaction says it all: "Did that surprise you? Because it sure surprised me." The manufacturer's welded loop didn't just hold—it proved stronger than the fly line itself. When Tom examined the broken connection, he found the welded loop remained completely intact with no compromise whatsoever. The actual fly line broke down from the loop, meaning the welded section exceeded the strength of the line material. In contrast, the hand-tied nail knot loop told a different story. Rather than breaking, the loop actually slipped out of the nail knots during the test. Tom acknowledges he pulled the knots as hard as he would in a real rigging situation, yet they still gave way. He wonders if tightening them down slightly more might have changed the outcome, but the results were clear. Tom's detailed analysis of both failure points starts at 3:37.

What This Means for Your Fly Fishing Setup

Tom's newfound confidence in manufacturer's welded loops represents a significant shift from traditional thinking. After seeing the welded loop outperform both the hand-tied version and the line itself, he states he'll have "100% confidence in this" going forward. For anglers who've been cutting off factory loops for years out of habit or mistrust, these results suggest it might be time to reconsider. The convenience of using the pre-made loops—whether for loop-to-loop connections with a bimini twist to backing or with leader loops—now comes backed by empirical evidence of superior strength. Tom directs listeners to check out the free Tom Rowland Podcast Knot Guide, which shows this knot plus all the other knots tested on the show, complete with breaking strength data for each one. This resource helps anglers pick the exact knots they want in their setup based on actual performance data, not assumptions. Get Tom's full recommendation and knot guide details at 4:43.

Final Thoughts from Tom

I'll be honest—this test result completely surprised me. I went into this expecting the hand-tied nail knot loop to at least match the welded loop, if not outperform it. That's what decades of conventional wisdom in fly fishing would suggest. But the data doesn't lie.

Seeing that welded loop remain completely intact while the actual fly line broke tells me everything I need to know. That connection is bomber. And watching the nail knot loop slip out—even though I really cranked down on those knots—shows there's a weak point in that method that many anglers probably aren't aware of. Maybe with even more tension it would hold better, but in a real-world rigging scenario, I tied it the way I normally would.

This is exactly why we do these How 2 Tuesday episodes. Sometimes testing reveals that the old ways are still the best, and sometimes it shows us that modern manufacturing has solved problems we didn't even know existed. This is one of those cases where trusting the factory loop is the right call. Check out the full knot guide to see how all the connections we've tested stack up, and listen to the whole thing to see the break test happen in real time.