How to Tie the Improved Clinch Knot

Hi all, Warren here from Toit Fishing. Today, we’re delving into the Improved Clinch Knot. If you haven’t seen our video on the Clinch Knot, I recommend checking that out first.

The Improved Clinch Knot has been used reliably for many years. The main difference between the Clinch Knot and the Improved Clinch Knot is the introduction of a secondary tuck through the second loop at the end of the Clinch Knot.

Knot Terminology

For those who haven’t seen our earlier tutorials, here are a few reminders on knot terminology:

• Tag End: The end of your line which you will use to create the knot.
• Standing End: The remainder of the line that runs up to the rest of the mainline or the next knot.
• Turn (Wrap): A turn typically refers to the tag end passing completely around the standing end or another detail within a knot—a full 360-degree revolution.
• Cinch: The act of tightening the knot until it binds down to its completed state.

Let’s get into the steps to tie the Improved Clinch Knot.

Step-by-Step Guide to Tying the Improved Clinch Knot

1. Pass the Tag End Through:
   • Pass the tag end through the eye of the hook or the item you are tying and pull through about 8-10 inches.

1. Pinch and Hold:
   • Pinch the hook end with your left two fingers and grab the standing end using your right ring finger and pinky, leaving your thumb, index, and middle fingers free for knot tying.

2. Create Wraps:
   • Wrap the tag end around the standing end five times.

3. Pass Through the Loop:
   • Pass the tag end through the loop formed behind the first wrap.

4. Secondary Loop:
   • Pass the tag end back through the new secondary loop that was formed.

5. Prepare for Cinch:
   • Hold both the tag end and hook end as shown, and pull the standing end until you have a length of loose knot that fits in your mouth.
   • Wet the entire knot with saliva to keep the line lubricated.

6. Slow Tightening:
   • Hold the standing end in one hand and the hook in the other. Slowly pull these opposing ends apart, forcing the knot towards the loop end until it starts to gather and cinch down. Use your left thumb nail and index finger to help compact the knot. Ensure to do this slowly to reduce friction heat.

7. Final Tightening:
   • Hold the hook to the side with the hook eye and knot held with your left thumb nail and index finger. Grab the tag end with a pair of pliers and tighten the lower end of the knot.
   • Revert to holding both the hook and standing end and cinch down hard.

8. Trim Tag End:
   • Trim the tag end about 1/8 inch or 3mm from the knot.

Tips and Observations

With the Improved Clinch Knot, you should notice that both the front and back of the knot have four full wraps. One wrap is typically lost as the knot unwinds and tightens down.

The additional tuck at the end through the secondary loop creates a more standard approach to the number of loops or wraps. If you’re doing five wraps for most monofilament, you may need to add an extra wrap for braid and very thin lines.

Heat is worth mentioning again due to the friction generated during tightening. Always check the standing end part of the line near the knot to ensure it stays straight and isn’t warped or twisted, which indicates heat. This compromises the knot, so don’t skimp on saliva for lubrication.

It’s also crucial to test your knot. Pull the two opposing parts apart—in this case, the hook and the standing end—to ensure there is no slippage or breaking for that type or thickness of line.

Final Thoughts

When considering the Improved Clinch Knot, I often ask myself, “Why create an improved version when the original is already good?” The improvements likely address slippage and other issues with the original. With the commercial availability of Dyneema and Spectra braided lines in the early 1990s, knots had to evolve. The Improved Clinch Knot was designed even before this, in the early 70s, and addresses slippage issues with thin monofilament.

It’s fascinating to see how knots evolve. Is the Improved Clinch Knot better than a properly tied Clinch Knot? I can’t definitively say that today. However, I can confirm it’s a good knot. I’ve used it since the early 80s, and it still holds up well. It’s a little more complicated but still manageable for beginners and youngsters.

Conclusion

We’ll end this tutorial here, but I encourage you to join us for an in-depth review of this knot in our next content piece. Grab a tea first!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. Your support is most welcome. If you have any really old knot tips from old fishing books, please share them. Hopefully, you learned something new or felt inspired to tie a better knot. All the best! – Wozza

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