The perfection loop knot is also referred to as the angler’s loop knot and is one of the best fishing knots to tie when you want a loop that is perfectly in line with the standing end of your leader or tippet to attach to a lure, fly, or to your fly line.
It is meant to be easy to tie, but to be honest I struggled with it at first. But after 3 years tying it every day on the flats of Seychelles, I can do it in seconds, so practice makes perfect as always in fly fishing.
The perfection loop knot or angler’s loop knot does get a little bit trickier to tie when you incorporate a lure or fly though, but not to worry I’ll take you through all the steps.
How To Tie The Perfection Loop Knot (Angler’s Loop)
We’ll start off with how to tie the perfection loop knot without a lure to just form a loop and then incorporate one with a lure tied into it later on.
Step 1
First, take the tag end of your leader line and push it behind the standing end to create the first loop. Make sure this is not a small loop and you’ll see why later on. Now secure the loop tight with your thumb and finger.
Step 2
Take the tag end and wrap it around your thumb and the first loop to create the second loop. The second loop should be a small loop and you’ll need to secure it with your thumb and finger to maintain tension and the loops.
Step 3
Take the tag end and wrap or slide it between the two loops, splitting them in half. Hold the tag end when it’s in between the two loops along with the loops.
Step 4
Now pull the small loop through the big loop while you gently pull the standing line to secure the knot. You should see the perfection loop form at the end. To secure it further, pull the loop at the end and the standing line until it’s fully secure.
You can now trim the tag end but don’t trim it fully as the knot depends on it for it not to slip.
Do not try to secure the knot by pulling the tag end, this will only weaken your perfection loop.
Check out our guide here on tying a loop to loop connection.
Adding A Fly Or Lure To The Perfection Loop
If you want to add a fly to your leaders or tippet with a perfection loop then in Step 2 before you create the second loop, you’ll need to slide on your fly and then follow the steps as laid out above.
The hard part is not hooking your hand and getting the fly and second loop through the first loop without it catching.
Here is a YouTube video showing you how to tie a perfection loop in your leader
FAQs
Why use a perfection loop knot?
A perfection loop knot is used for a variety of reasons, such as connecting monofilament or braided lines, creating loop-to-loop connections, and tying tippets, streamers, and other rigs. Perfection loops are also used to join two lines of different diameters, such as a leader and tippet, and can be used to create a fixed loop in the middle of a line.
What is the strongest loop knot?
The strongest loop knot is the Palomar knot, which is used to tie a loop in the middle of a fishing line. This knot is considered to be the strongest loop knot because it is almost 100% tied, meaning that it has very little slack and is extremely secure. The Palomar knot is also known for its ease of use and strength when tied correctly.
Is a perfection loop strong?
Yes, a perfection loop is a very strong knot. It is often used for a variety of applications, such as fly fishing and other outdoor activities, and is considered to be very reliable and secure.
Where is a perfection loop used?
A perfection loop knot is often used for a variety of reasons, such as connecting monofilament or braided lines, creating loop-to-loop connections, and tying tippets, streamers, and other rigs. It is also used to join two lines of different diameters, such as a leader and tippet, and can be used to create a fixed loop in the middle of a line.
How strong is a perfection loop?
When tied correctly a perfection loop is a very strong knot and can achieve up to 95% knot strength. This means if you’re using a 10lb line it will break at 9.5lbs of pressure.
Can you tie a perfection loop on a fly line?
You can tie a perfection loop on a fly line and it will be solid but it’s not recommended. This is because when tying it, you’ll create a bulky knot at the end of the line which will splash and spook fish when you cast your line.
It is a great backup knot for a loop at the end of your fly line if you have no other option though.
How do you make a small perfection loop?
When using the perfection knot for fly fishing, you don’t want the loop to be too big as it can cause disturbance on the water.
To do this, in Step 2 make the second loop as small as you can, and then in Step 3 when you split the loops with the tag end, make sure the end goes between your thumb and the first loop and it will always become as small a perfection loop as possible.
See our post here for a step by step guide on snell knot tying.
When would you use a perfection loop?
You would use perfection loop knots when you want to create a loop at the end of your leader or tippet. It’s one of the best knots to use to attach leaders to fly lines or attach a fly to your tippet lines.
I love this knot because the standing line sits straight as an arrow and when combined with a loop around your fly, creates the best swimming action to entice a fish.
