Knot Sense

Here's a list of the knots I use. It's a good time of year to check your line, leader, and backing connections.

Blood Knot - I use this exclusively for mono to mono connections, 7x to 25lb Maxima. Some like a surgeon's knot, but the blood knot is reliable and streamlined.

Nail Knot - Butt section to fly line connection. I still use the tool, and treat the tag end with a dab of Hard As Hull to seal the line core. Prevents it from getting waterlogged and sinking.

Clinch Knot - Dry fly connection. Not the improved clinch, don't like the bulk or the way it tightens down. A standard clinch will do.

Albright Knot - Fly line to backing, and far better than a nail knot for this connection.

Rapala Knot - Streamer, steelhead fly, and sometimes wet fly/nymph connections. Keeps the fly swimming, especially when swinging a spey pattern.

Perfection Loop - Nice quick knot for monofilament loop connections. The rapala knot can double for this purpose too though.

When I create sink tip sections, I'll tie two back-to-back nail knots with 1x Maxima over the top of a folded-back section of the tip.

Animated (Fishing) Knots is an excellent online resource.