Just found this...may have to give it a try:
Use a Stronger Tippet Knot
by Kent Hull
You should use this knot instead of a surgeon's knot, especially if you're using a fluorocarbon tippet. Why? Because using a surgeon's knot, any breakoff will almost always occur at the tippet knot (unless you're using a very weak hook knot). If you're using strong tippet material such as Rio, Dai-Riki or Frog's Hair, this tippet knot will let you make use of the full strength of the tippet you paid for. And if you're using fluorocarbon tippet, you don't want to break off at the tippet knot. Fluorocarbon is forever, so any broken-off tippet will be in the lake or stream for many, many years to pose a threat to wildlife. This knot is the strongest known knot for tying on a fluorocarbon tippet, and is second only to the ligature knot for nylon. In 6X tippet material, this can mean a full pound more strength than a surgeon's knot. (American Angler Vol 27 Issue 6, pP 61-64). (This Rod Tip would also have described the ligature knot if I had succeeded in learning to tie it consistently so it wouldn't slip.)
This is called the Orvis tippet knot, because it won a contest run by Orvis about fifteen years ago to discover a new and stronger knot. There are three variations, the tippet knot, a loop knot, and a hook knot. In this example, the leader is to the left (red) and the tippet is to the right (blue).
Overlap the ends about four inches. (Figure 1) Holding the two lines on the leader (left) side, form a loop as shown in Figure 2. This is important: in these knots, all turns go around the same way and each turn is in a loop above the last.
Now bring the right ends (leader end and tippet body) behind the loop you formed in Figure 1, through it and up. (Figure 3) Do it again, so there are two turns of the right ends through the loop. (Figure 4)
Lubricate the knot (saliva, floatant or knot lube) and tighten by pulling the right ends and the left ends away from each other. Pull hard to seat the knot. As with all knots, properly setting the knot is essential for the knot to have full strength. You can view animated instructions for tying these knots at
www.orvis.com.
Next month: The Orvis (hook) Knot and the "Lefty Kreh" loop knot. (Lefty insists he didn't invent it though he strongly recommends it, and about everyone who uses it, learned it from Practical Fishing Knots by Lefty Kreh and Mark Sosin.)
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