Triple surgeon's knot
Also called Triple surgeon
A triple surgeon’s knot is a line-to-line knot made by tying a surgeon’s knot with three wraps through the loop instead of two. It’s used to join leader and tippet, especially when the diameters are different.
- Group
- Line-to-line knots
- Category
- Knots & rigging
- Level
- Intermediate
- Water
- Fresh & salt
Last updated
What Triple surgeon's knot means
Three passes through the loop is the whole point. Tie it like a surgeon’s knot, but run both lines through the overhand loop three times before snugging it down.
It’s commonly used for attaching tippet to a leader, or adding a new section after a break-off. Many anglers reach for it when the two materials are different diameters.
Dress it carefully. Wet the knot, pull all four ends evenly to seat it, then trim the tags. If the wraps cross over each other while tightening, back up and re-tie.
Why it matters on the water
Knot choice shows up most when you are changing tippet quickly. A triple surgeon’s is fast to tie with cold hands, low light, or wind, and it does not require perfectly matched diameters.
The extra wrap adds bulk. That can hang up in small guides or collect debris, and it can make a hinge in a long leader. Knowing that tradeoff helps decide when to use it versus a slimmer knot.
Read next
- Blood knotA blood knot is a line-to-line knot used to join two pieces of similar-diameter mono or fluorocarbon, most often leader to tippet.
- Double surgeon's knotA double surgeon’s knot is a quick line-to-line knot for joining two pieces of leader or tippet. It uses two wraps through an overhand loop to add grip and strength.
- LeaderThe leader is the clear, tapered line between the fly line and the fly. It turns the fly over and gives you a clean, controlled presentation.
- TippetTippet is the thin, level line tied to the end of your leader. It’s the section you cut back and replace as you change flies and re-tie knots.