How to Tie a Backing Knot

Avid anglers rely on knots to secure lures to their fishing line, as well as to connect different diameters of fishing line. Fly fishermen refer to an Albright knot as a backing knot, because it is used to connect the flyline, which is thicker fishing line to the backing, which is lighter fishing line.

Things You'll Need

  • Fishing line
  • Scissors
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Instructions

    • 1

      Lay the thicker fishing line to the left of you and the thinner fishing line to the right on a working surface, with the ends of both facing one another.

    • 2

      Make a loop in the thicker fishing line by pinching a two-inch section near the end with your fingers, and hold it between the thumb and index finger of your left hand.

    • 3

      Grasp the thinner fishing line and stick it through the closed end of the loop, leaving about eight inches. Pinch the thinner fishing line with the thicker line already in your left hand and hold it.

    • 4

      Wrap the thinner fishing line around the thicker fishing line about 10 times. Wrap away from you and from left to right. As you wrap, move your thumb and index finger of your left hand along to hold the wraps in place.

    • 5

      Pull the thinner fishing line back through the loop the same way it entered on the tenth and final wrap. Wet both of the lines where the loops are and grasp both the thin and thick ends of the fishing line.

    • 6

      Pull tightly and you should have a strong, tight, sturdy knot between the two widths of fishing line. Make sure the wraps do not go over one another and that they don't slide off. Trim the ends of both the thick and thin fishing line, so they don't get tangled in the reel.