Albright Knot - Fishing Knot

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Albright Knot - Fishing Knot

by Geoffrey English



The Albright knot is a great solution for tying together two filament lines that are of a different thickness. The thinner line usually slides through the thicker one, so the Albright knot ensures that they remain attached together. It can be used for a variety of different fishing needs, but it is most commonly used to attach a fly reel backing line to a fly line. Other uses of the Albright knot include attaching filament to braided lines. It is easy to assemble, and almost anyone can make an Albright knot after a little practice.

Here’s how to do it:

Step #1 – Find the ends of each piece of line you will be tying together. Then make a loop out of the heavier piece of filament between the thumb and forefinger of your left hand. This should look like the head of any needle.

Step #2 - Insert the thinner piece of filament through the loop that you created with the heavier strand. While still holding the loop of the heavier piece in place, neatly wrap the lighter piece of filament around the base of the loop 8-10 times. This part will look similar to a hangman’s noose.

Step #3 - Once you have it wrapped, pulled the end of the light filament that you’ve been using back through the loop, just the way it came.  This is the most important step because it is this clinch that gives the knot its strength.

Step #4 -  Wet the knot with water or salvia  while pulling the two ends at the same time to make sure the knot stays clinched tightly. Trim the leftover small ends of both strands of filament, and then the knot is ready for use.

Please note: The neater that you wrap lighter line around the loop, the stronger your Albright knot will be. This is the most common mistake among people who try to tie this knot because they do it in too much of a hurry to get nice, clean wraps.  Although some sloppy work will still produce moderate results, the knot won’t have near the stability that it would when it’s properly assembled. Not to mention that a sloppy knot could get caught in the reel or guides on your rod, whereas a well crafted knot will smoothly glide as if it was just a kink in the filament. This smoothness is one of the key components to the Albright knot’s design, and it’s something that shouldn’t be overlooked.  Some anglers also add a drop of super glue to the knot to ensure the tag ends don’t fray or get caught in the guides. 

If you want your Albright knot to be even stronger, then you can make the first five wraps going down the loop and the second five wraps coming back up in a crisscross pattern.  This will increase the knot’s ability to withstand tension, and it will actually produce better results.

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