Knot Head.

Tying knots as a guide becomes second nature after awhile. Coming from a background as a climber and a rigger, knots take on a whole different level of importance.With as many seasons under our belt, we still keep it a simple affair. Time and experience have taught us what works best for various conditions and applications.

• Backing To Reel: Arbor knot. If you think you are ever going to see this knot again either start running or pull the anchor.

• Backing To Line: Albright knot or a seven turn Nail knot. Both treated with either Aqua Seal or Loon Knot Sense. Smooth it out for a better transition at the tip.

• Line To Leader Butt: Six turn Nail knot or Blind Splice for floating lines. For small stream floating lines we use a Krazy Glue Splice. With sink tips we use braided factory loops backed up with two nail knots fore and aft. Same set up on custom T8 spey heads. Perfection Loop for loop to loop connections.
  

• Fly To Tippet: Clinch and Improved clinch knots for dries, wets and nymphs. Non Slip Loop Knot for streamers and soft hackles. Trilene knot when we need to drop down in tippet size for larger sized flies. Turle knot for salmon/steelhead hooks. A Riffle Hitch for floating waking patterns like mice.

• Tippet To Tippet: Five turn Blood knot. Easy, fast and bombproof. Clean and tapered when tied correctly.

Rigging well takes time and patience. Put as much into this overlooked skill as you would tying flies or casting and you'll be way ahead. Remember fast and proper is the mantra when the game changes.