The improved clinch: fly onto tippet

What it's for

If you learn one knot, learn this one. It ties any fly to any tippet you'll realistically fish, keeps around 85–95% of the line's strength when tied well, and the whole skill is in one habit: wet it, and pull the standing line — never the tag.

The steps

1. 1

   Thread

   Tag end through the hook eye, and give yourself 5–6 inches to work with. Short tags make bad knots.

2. 2

   Wrap

   Wind the tag around the standing line — five to seven turns for trout tippet. Fewer turns for thicker line, more for finer.

3. 3

   First tuck

   Bring the tag back and pass it through the small loop sitting right against the eye — the one your first wrap made.

4. 4

   Second tuck

   Now pass it through the big loose loop you've just created along the wraps. That second tuck is the 'improved' — it's what stops the knot slipping.

5. 5

   Wet it

   Always. A dry knot burns itself weak as it tightens.

6. 6

   Pull the standing line

   Steady pull on the main line only, pinching the wraps into a neat spiral until they jam snug against the eye. Trim the tag close.

Common faults

When you'll use it

• Every fly change, all season — this is the default fly-to-tippet knot
• Any tippet from 3X down to the finest you'll fish for trout
• Cold hands and failing light: it's tieable by feel once the habit is in

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