How to Tie an Orvis Knot: A 3 Step Guide

the orvis knot

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If you’re in the thrilling world of fly fishing, then you’re likely familiar with the Orvis knot. Named after the Orvis company, this knot emerged as the winner of a contest they held years ago for the strongest new tippet-to-fly knot. The fisherman who tied it sold the naming rights to Orvis, and it’s been popular ever since.

The beauty of the Orvis knot lies in its simplicity and strength, making it one of the best fly fishing knots, especially for tying a small fly like a dry fly or nymph, to your leader or tippet material. Although you can use it to join your leader to your fly line if there’s a loop in the fly line, I personally find a loop-to-loop connection more convenient.

As a seasoned fly fisherman who has been at it for over two decades, I can vouch for the reliability of the Orvis knot. It has proven to be an excellent choice when fly fishing with tiny size 22 flies. Think of it as a solid combo of the clinch knot and surgeons knot fly fishing, with an added twist.

Follow the steps below to tie your own Orvis knot, and remember, practice makes perfect.

How To Tie The Orvis Knot

how to tie the orvis knot

Step 1

Thread the tag end of your leader or tippet through the eye of the hook. Run the tag end under the standing line, then over it to form a loop. It should resemble a figure of eight knot at this stage.

Step 2

Next, pass the tag end through the first loop you just made by the eye of the hook once. This creates a second loop around the main line. Take the tag end and wrap it around the top end of the second loop twice.

Step 3

Lubricate the knot and line with saliva and pull the standing end of the leader line to secure and tighten it once. Continue pulling on the standing line until the knot slides to the eye of the hook and sits tight against it. Trim the tag ends, and voila, you’ve tied an Orvis knot!

Tips

  • Remember, Step 1 forms a figure of 8 knot.
  • The Orvis knot works well with fluorocarbon and nylon mono, but not braid.

I’ve also prepared a free video for you, demonstrating all the steps of tying the Orvis knot. It’s a great resource if you’re more of a visual learner.

FAQs

Is the Orvis Knot better than a clinch knot?

While both knots have their merits, the Orvis Knot is essentially a specialized version of the clinch knot. It offers a stronger, more reliable connection, while the clinch knot is popular and versatile. The choice between the two comes down to personal preference.

How strong is the Orvis knot?

The Orvis knot is incredibly strong for such a simple knot. When tied correctly, it has a knot strength of close to 100%, which means its strength is about 95% of the mono line used to tie it. So, if you’re fly fishing with a 5 lb line, the knot can handle over 4.5 lbs of pressure. This makes it stronger than both a clinch knot and a loop knot.

What is the Orvis Knot used for?

What is the Orvis Knot used for

The Orvis knot is best for tying a small fly to a light line. It’s reliable, secure, and boasts a significant breaking strain. It works exceptionally well with small flies because it forms a small head that doesn’t interfere with the flies, unlike a clinch knot.

You can also use the Orvis knot to connect your leader to your fly fishing line, especially in low light conditions when it’s easier to tie. However, it’s not suitable for joining two lines together. For that, check out the Orvis tippet knot.

Are there disadvantages to the Orvis knot?

Despite its strengths, the Orvis knot does have a few minor drawbacks. The end can collect weeds and dirt during fishing, and when you pull to secure the knot, it forms a bend that can cause your lines and fly to sit at an angle. However, these issues are negligible when drifting a dry or nymph on a clean river.

How strong is the Orvis tippet knot?

The Orvis tippet knot is a robust, secure knot that breaks at around 94% of the line used to tie its breaking strain. It’s as reliable as the double surgeon knot.

Wrapping Up

How strong is the Orvis tippet knot

Fly fishing is an art that requires skill, patience, and knowledge of knots like the Orvis knot. Understanding how to tie this knot will enhance your fly fishing experience and make you more efficient on the water. Remember, practice makes perfect. Happy fishing!

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