How Many Knots Are In Your Arsenal?

Long_Rod_Silvers

Long_Rod_Silvers

Elder Millennial
Forum Supporter
I realized the other day I haven't done a great job as a dad teaching my kids to tie knots. They can tie an improved clinch, but that's basically it. As I thought through which knots I need to get them dialed in on, I realized I really like to utilize the KISS method. I only use a few knots:
Arbor Knot
Blood Knot
Surgeons Knot
Surgeons Loop
Improved Clinch (regular clinch when I'm feeling lazy)
Nonslip Loop Knot (standard for nymphs or streamers)

I think that's about it....

I see mentions of a lot of other knots, but I don't think I've ever ran into a situation where one of the above wouldn't work for a fishing situation.
Curious what other folks have in there arsenal and what situations they use them for. Or if there's one outside of fishing you're a huge fan of. Non fishing related I probably use the truckers hitch the most, along with the overhand, square and half hitch the most.
 
Arbor knot
Nail knot
Blood knot
Double/triple surgeons loops and knots, with or without extended tags
Improved clinch
Nonslip loop
Turtle knot
Drop shot knot (might have a real name, but the knot that makes your drop shot hook sit at 90°)
Handshake knot (cuz it's classier than loop to loop)

I think that's it?
 
You need to add the Perfection Loop to the list!

Some other useful saltwater knots:
Steve Huff Double Figure 8 Loop Knot
Bimini Twist
Hesse Knot
Haywire Twist
 
In addition to the arsenal of climbing knots, only some of which get used for fishing, I use:

Arbor knot
Nail knot
Triple surgeon's knot
Blood knot
Figure eight on a bight (I like this better than the Perfection Loop)
Non slip loop knot
Improved clinch knot
Davy Knot

I usually tie my fly on with a Davy Knot, instead of the improved clinch. It's a great little knot!
 
Long_Rod_Silvers said:
You use it instead of surgeons loop?
Click to expand...
For the butt end of a tapered leader or for heavier tippets (20+ lb) the Perfection Loop knot is solid and quick. It also is a good heavy tippet to fly loop knot when trevally fishing.

A Doubled Surgeon's Loop is fine for smaller diameter tippets, but a bulky mess with heavy saltwater tippet. Bulky but effective.
 
Bimini Twist ... I avoid tying a knot that involves using body parts other than my fingers :):)

I don't use any knots other than those already mentioned. However, I did learn how to tie a nail-less knot so I no longer tie a nail knot.
 
I use most of the above, nail, perfection, blood, double/triple surgeons, cinch and nonslip loops. I also use 4 turn uniknots for new droppers.
I'd rigged the other day and the old braided loop just slipped off the end, even though I'd tested it.. Found it, cut of the loop and got a perfect nail knot with my forceps streamside first dry. Felt pretty chuffed about that. Used to practice knots in the winter, should get the boys doing it more themselves.
 
I forgot, I do use an Albright knot to attach the backing to a fly line. But I replace my fly lines so infrequently that I don't use the knot very often.

​

 
I'm pretty simple:

Bimini twist (rare, but it's in my repertoire)
Albright
Nonslip loop
Clinch
Triple surgeons
Uni (also rare)
Blood is in the repertoire, but I can't remember the last time I used it.

I think that's it for the fishing I do.

I could probably get away with fewer though....
 
In order of frequency
*16-20 Pitzen
*Improved clinch
*Kreh non-slip Loop
*Blood
*Triple surgeon's
* = forceps variation
Arbor (Loop) slip knot with a Figure 8 stopper knot to connect fluorocarbon level line (leader) to T-rod lillian 2X(!) through the loop.
 
Brian Miller said:
In order of frequency
*16-20 Pitzen
*Improved clinch
*Kreh non-slip Loop
*Blood
*Triple surgeon's
* = forceps variation
Arbor (Loop) slip knot with a Figure 8 stopper knot to connect fluorocarbon level line (leader) to T-rod lillian 2X(!) through the loop.
Click to expand...
Is there a reason you like the pitzen over the improved clinch? Or circumstance you use it instead of the improved clinch? I see you use them both frequently - they're fairly similar, right?
 
My skills are pretty basic.
On the water I use:
improved clinch knot,
nonslip loop,
surgeon’s,
(last and least) perfection loop.

When tying at home I add blood knots and nail knots, for which I have tools.
 
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