Tying the Fisherman's Knot

The real name of this knot is the Improved Clinch knot. But way back when, many people called it the Fisherman's knot because every angler knew how to tie this knot, and it was often the first knot they learned. Use the Improved Clinch knot to attach your line to your hook.

If a knot ever fails on you, 99 times out of 100 the place where it fails is right next to the hook, so the knot you use at this critical place should be the most reliable one that you can tie. There have been many claims for many other knots; some of the claims were quite learned and passionate. But guess what? The Fisherman's knot still gets the nod. Here's why:

The Catskill Fly-fishing Center annually holds a wonderful two-day introduction on the Willowemoc River, which is about as close as you can get to holy water in fly-fishing. You may think that the folks at the center teach some knot that could only be learned by people who had a reading knowledge of Latin. Wrong. They teach the Improved Clinch knot, and they call it the Fisherman's knot.

To tie the Improved Clinch knot, as shown in Figure 1, follow these steps:

Figure 1: The Improved Clinch Knot.

1. Run the tag end of the line through the eye of the hook and pull 8–10 inches of line through the hook eye.

2. Wrap the tag end around the standing end for five wraps or turns.

3. Now pass the tag end through the loop next to the hook eye.

You have formed another loop that includes your wraps.

4. Pass the tag end through that loop.

5. Wet the loops with some saliva to lubricate the knot.

6. Hold the tag end and standing end in one hand and the bend of the hook in the other; then pull with steady pressure.

If you are not sure about safely holding the hook, grip it firmly but not super firmly with needle-nose pliers.

7. Tighten slowly.

8. Clip the tag end so that only 1/8-inch is left.

A standard fingernail clipper is a great tool for making a clean final cut on the tag end. Here's another tip: Leave the remaining tag end about 1/4-inch to 3/8-inch long; then touch the very tip of the tag end to the hot end of a lit cigarette (or a just-blown-out match) in order to create a ball on the end of the line, which prevents the tag end from pulling out under stress.