Tom Rowland, host of the Tom Rowland Podcast and accomplished fly fishing guide with decades of experience targeting world-class species including tarpon, GT, arapaima, and marlin, demonstrates how to whip a loop in a fly line for the strongest possible connection to backing and leaders. In this How 2 Tuesday episode, Tom reveals why he cuts off factory-welded loops before big fish trips, what Chico Fernandez said when he saw Tom's "overkill" technique, and the exact tool that makes this critical knot foolproof even in the field. If you've ever wondered how guides ensure their terminal tackle won't fail on fish of a lifetime, this step-by-step tutorial shows you the method Tom has used to land "lots and lots of tarpon" without a single loop failure.
How Do You Make the Strongest Connection Between Fly Line and Leader for Big Fish?
Whip a loop in the end of the fly line using a doubled line and nail knots tied with a Tie Fast Knot Tyer tool and 20-pound monofilament. Tom Rowland creates three consecutive nail knots around both legs of the doubled fly line, forming a loop that cinches into the fly line coating. This method provides the strongest connection for tarpon, marlin, GTs, and arapaima, and works equally well for connecting backing to fly line using loop-to-loop connections with a Bimini twist in the backing.
Who is Tom Rowland?
Tom Rowland is the host of the Tom Rowland Podcast and an accomplished fly fishing guide and captain with decades of experience targeting world-class species including tarpon, GT, arapaima, and marlin. He shares actionable fishing techniques, fitness strategies, and inspiring stories through his weekly podcast, with How 2 Tuesday episodes delivering step-by-step instruction on the skills every serious angler needs to know.
This episode of the Tom Rowland Podcast is brought to you by Star brite, the marine care products Tom relies on to maintain his fly lines and equipment. Keep your gear in top condition with Star brite. Shop Star brite products here.
Why Factory Welded Loops Might Not Be Enough for Your Biggest Fish
Most modern fly lines come with pre-made welded loops at the end, and when you pull on them, they feel incredibly strong. But Tom poses a critical question that every serious angler should consider: what if the machine didn't get that weld perfect? Would you want to lose your biggest fish ever to a manufacturing inconsistency you couldn't control? Some anglers trust these factory loops completely, while others don't. Tom reveals his personal decision-making process: if he's going for something he's never caught before, or if it's going to be a really big fish, he might choose to cut off that welded loop and make his own. The reason is simple—he definitely trusts his own work. Tom explains his philosophy on factory loops versus hand-tied loops at 2:01.
The One Tool That Makes This Knot Foolproof
Tom generally prefers to do things with his hands rather than rely on tools, but there's one exception he makes for this particular technique. The Tie Fast Knot Tyer is what he calls "an old old deal" that transforms what could be a frustrating process into something reliable and repeatable. While you can certainly tie a nail knot without this tool, Tom emphasizes that it makes the process so much easier—especially when you're maintaining multiple lines or need to make a repair in the field. The tool allows you to form perfect nail knots consistently, which is critical when you're building a connection that needs to hold against fish that can run into your backing. See exactly how Tom uses the Tie Fast Knot Tyer starting at 6:16.
Watch Tom demonstrate the complete whipping technique step-by-step
The "Overkill" Technique That's Never Failed
Once Tom forms the first nail knot around the doubled fly line, he does something that legendary fly fishing guide Chico Fernandez thought was completely unnecessary. Rather than stopping at one nail knot—which is probably good enough—or even two, which Tom admits is probably really good, he goes for three. When Chico saw Tom doing this triple-knot technique, he actually laughed and called it total overkill. But here's what matters to Tom: he's never had one fail. Not once. Not on tarpon, not on any of the other big fish species he's pursued over decades of guiding. Is three times truly necessary? Maybe not. But when you're attached to a fish that represents years of planning, travel, and effort, "probably good enough" might not feel like enough. Tom explains his triple-knot philosophy and Chico Fernandez's reaction at 10:21.
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SubscribeControlling the Controllable: Why 2022 Starts with Terminal Tackle
Tom delivers a philosophy that applies far beyond fly line loops. You can't control the fish. You can't control the weather. You can't control the tide. You can't control any of those factors—and those are the most important factors when it comes to fishing success. So what's an angler supposed to do? Tom's answer is to control the controllable. Your knots, your rigging, your equipment—these are all very controllable. You can get very good at them, and you can test them over and over and over again so that when you get out on the water, they're not going to fail. The reason? Because you practiced and practiced and practiced, and you've come up with something that really, really works well. That's exactly what the whipped loop represents—something you can perfect at home, before you even leave for your trip. Tom's full "control the controllable" philosophy unfolds at 14:33.
Don't miss this essential How 2 Tuesday tutorial.
Master the technique that's landed lots and lots of tarpon.
Key Takeaways
- Factory welded loops may be strong, but when targeting fish you've never caught or really big species, cutting them off and tying your own loop ensures you won't lose the fish of a lifetime to manufacturing inconsistency
- The Tie Fast Knot Tyer tool transforms nail knot tying from a difficult hand technique into a reliable, repeatable process—one of the few tools Tom considers essential
- Whipping a loop with three consecutive nail knots around doubled fly line creates the strongest possible connection to backing and leaders, though legendary guide Chico Fernandez thought three was overkill
- The whipped loop works equally well for connecting backing to fly line using loop-to-loop with a Bimini twist in the backing—absolutely the strongest connection you can make
- Controlling the controllable—your knots, rigging, and equipment—through home practice is how you ensure the factors you can't control on the water won't be compounded by preventable failures
- Using 20-pound monofilament and wrapping six to seven times before forming each nail knot creates barrels that cinch down into the fly line coating for maximum hold
- This technique has successfully landed tarpon, marlin, GTs, and arapaima without a single loop failure over decades of guiding and fishing
Final Thoughts from Tom
This is one of those techniques that separates anglers who consistently land big fish from those who tell stories about the ones that got away. I've been using this whipped loop method for decades, and I can tell you with absolute certainty that it works. When Chico Fernandez laughed at me for doing three nail knots instead of one or two, I didn't take offense—I just knew that I'd never have to wonder whether my connection was strong enough.
The beauty of this technique is that it's completely within your control. You don't need perfect weather or cooperative fish to get good at this. You can sit at home, practice it over and over, test it by pulling on it as hard as you can, and know with confidence that when you're attached to that tarpon or GT or arapaima, your loop isn't going to be the weak link. That peace of mind is priceless when you're dealing with fish that can run into your backing in seconds.
If 2022 is going to be your year for big fish—and I believe it can be—it starts with exactly this kind of preparation. Master your terminal tackle. Perfect your knots. Control what you can control. The video demonstration shows every step clearly, and I walk through the entire process so you can follow along. This one's worth your time to learn properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tool do you need to whip a loop in a fly line?
You need a Tie Fast Knot Tyer tool, 20-pound monofilament line, scissors or nippers, and pliers. The Tie Fast Knot Tyer is essential because while you can tie nail knots by hand, this tool makes the process much easier and more reliable, especially for creating multiple consistent knots.
How many nail knots should you use when whipping a loop?
Tom uses three consecutive nail knots around the doubled fly line, though he acknowledges one is probably good enough and two is probably really good. Legendary guide Chico Fernandez considered three to be overkill, but Tom has never had one fail using this method.
Should you cut off factory welded loops on fly lines?
For species you've never caught before or really big fish, Tom sometimes chooses to cut off factory welded loops and tie his own because he definitely trusts his own work. While factory loops are very strong when pulled, there's always the possibility the machine didn't get the weld perfect.
What is the strongest way to connect backing to fly line?
The strongest connection is to tie a Bimini twist in the backing, whip a loop in the fly line, and then connect them loop to loop. This creates an absolutely strong connection that Tom considers the best method for backing-to-fly-line connections.
What species has Tom Rowland caught using the whipped loop technique?
Tom has used this whipped loop method to successfully land tarpon, marlin, GTs (giant trevally), and arapaima. He describes landing "lots and lots of tarpon" with this technique and has never experienced a loop failure using this method.
Related Episodes
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Tom shares decades of tarpon wisdom, including the terminal tackle that's helped him land lots and lots of silver kings
Proper fly line maintenance extends the life of your gear and ensures connections like whipped loops hold strong
Tom expands on the mindset that leads to consistent fishing success by mastering what you can control
Sponsors
Title sponsor of the Tom Rowland Podcast. The marine care and maintenance products Tom uses to keep his fly lines and gear in top condition.
Shop Star briteTitle sponsor of How 2 Tuesday. The fishing tools and accessories that help you master techniques like whipping loops.
Shop DancoChico Fernandez - Legendary fly fishing guide
Download the Tom Rowland Podcast Knot Guide to master essential fishing knots.
Tom Rowland
Tom Rowland is the host of the Tom Rowland Podcast and an accomplished fly fishing guide and captain with decades of experience targeting world-class species including tarpon, GT, arapaima, and marlin. He shares actionable fishing techniques, fitness strategies, and inspiring stories through his weekly podcast. His How 2 Tuesday episodes deliver step-by-step instruction on the skills every serious angler needs to know, from terminal tackle to advanced techniques that have helped him land lots and lots of big fish over his guiding career.
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