Clinch knot
Also called Clinch, Clinch knot for fly fishing
A clinch knot is a simple knot for tying tippet or leader to a fly’s eye. It’s quick to tie and common for dry flies, nymphs, and small streamers.
- Group
- Tippet-to-fly knots
- Category
- Knots & rigging
- Level
- Beginner
- Water
- Fresh & salt
Last updated
What Clinch knot means
Start by running the tippet through the hook eye, then wrap the tag end around the standing line several times. Pass the tag end back through the small loop right next to the eye, then snug it down.
Before tightening all the way, wet the knot and pull steadily on the standing line while guiding the coils so they stack neatly. Trim the tag end close. If the wraps cross over each other or the knot cinches down in a lumpy ball, cut it off and re-tie.
The clinch knot works best when the fly has a normal-sized eye and the tippet isn’t extremely stiff or very heavy. When line gets thicker, many anglers switch to an Improved clinch knot or a different connection that seats more reliably.
Why it matters on the water
Most “mystery break-offs” happen at the knot. A clean clinch knot with tight, even wraps is strong enough for a lot of trout fishing, but a rushed one will slip or cut itself under load.
Knowing when to change knots saves time. If the eye is small, the tippet is stiff, or the fly is heavy enough to twist the connection, moving to an Improved clinch knot, an Orvis knot, or a Non-slip loop knot usually gives a more dependable tie and better fly action.
Read next
- Davy knotA compact tippet-to-fly knot that uses a simple overhand structure. It’s popular for tiny flies because it’s quick to tie and uses very little tippet.
- Improved clinch knotA common knot for tying tippet to a fly. It’s a clinch knot with the tag end passed back through a second loop before tightening for a more secure finish.
- Non-slip loop knotA tippet-to-fly knot that leaves a small open loop at the hook eye. The loop lets the fly swing and track more freely than a snug knot.
- Orvis knotA tippet-to-fly knot that uses a doubled line through the hook eye, then a tuck back through a loop. It’s known for good strength with less twist than a clinch-style knot.