Nobody wants to lose a fish because their knot failed! On guided trips, your guide may want to tie all of your knots but what about when you are fishing on your own? How many knots do you know? Can you execute them flawlessly time after time?

Practicing various knots for your local fishing or prior to going on a trip, so that you can execute them quickly and accurately, is a great idea. We suggest using some old fly line for your knot practice sessions. You can actually tie the knot and then pull it apart to try again. Once you have your favourite knots mastered, start adding new knots to your repertoire. Some of our favourite fly to tippet knots are the Improved Clinch Knot, Uni-Knot (Duncan Loop), Non-Slip Loop, Homer Rhode Loop Knot, Homer Rhode Double Overhand Knot and Buffer Loop. 

Over the years several good knot reference books have been written. Some of our favourites include Guide to Saltwater Fishing Knots for Gear & Fly Fishing by Larry V. Notley, Fishing Knots by Lefty Kreh, Practical Fishing Knots II by Mark Sosin and Lefty Kreh, and Fly Fishing Knots, Rigs and Leaders by Trevor Hawkins.