If you search the internet you will find hundreds of different types of knots and loops for fishing. Each one is used for a specific application, but there are only a few that you really need to be familiar with for fly fishing. At some point in your fly fishing adventure you may need to understand how to tie a Bimini Twist or Plaited Double loop, but those are not every day knots.

Knots

Clinch Knot

The clinch knot is simple and is probably the most popular fishing knot for attaching a line to a lure, hook or swivel. When tied properly the clinch knot is very strong with a breaking strength around 95%.The Clinch knot work well for medium sized lines (6 lb – 30 lb). It is a perfect knot to choose for most lures.

Improved Clinch Knot

The Improved Clinch Knot is a normal clinch knot with a little improvement to make the clinch knot even more secure. The Improvement is an extra tuck to finalize the knot. The improved clinch knot is used the same way as the ordinary clinch knot to attach a lure, hook or swivel to the line. The improved clinch knot is very popular since it is both strong and easy to tie.

Palomar Knot

The Palomar Knot is both quick an easy to tie. It is also very strong and therefor a very popular fishing knot. The only downside is that the palomar knot uses a little more line than other similar fishing knots. So if used in a tapered leader it will shorten the line more quickly. But when the palomar knot is used with small lures, hooks and swivels it is superior to many other fishing knots for being quick, easy and very strong. Also the palomar is so simple that it can be tied in the dark.

Loops

Surgeon’s Loop

The Surgeon’s Loop is a popular loop because it one of the quickest and easiest loops to tie. The surgeon’s loop is also very strong so it no wonder that it is popular. The surgeon’s loop will form a perfect loop at the fishing line. It can be used to make a loop to loop connection or to attach a lure that needs to move freely.

Perfection Loop

The Perfection Loop is a great knot for tying a small loop at the end of the line. The Perfection Loop is perfectly in line with the standing part of the leader and it is both quick and easy to tie.

Joining Lines

Surgeon’s Knot

The Surgeon’s Knot is a great multipurpose knot. The surgeon’s knot can be used for joining lines of both similar and different size. It can also be used with lines of differnt materials and works just as fine with lines of similar materials. The sugeon’s knot is quick to tie and so easy that it can be tied easily in the dark. It retains nearly 100 percent breaking strenght. All in all a great knot.

Nail Knot

The Nail Knot is an important fishing knot used to join two lines of different diameters – it allows for line diameters to diminish down to the fly. It provides a good method for attaching your leader, or tippet, to your fly line.