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Albright Knot


      The Albright Knot is a suitable connection between smaller diameter tippets and heavy mono shock leaders as well as between mono and wire.  It is the only knot I use to connect wire to mono when constructing fly leaders.

      To eliminate the possibility that the wire may pull free from the mono, some anglers prefer to make a haywire twist loop in the end of the wire prior to tying the Albright Knot.  

      I usually forgo the haywire loop, preferring instead to make a slight bend in the doubled over wire.  I started doing this to allow the wire and the leader to pull in a straight line and help relieve pressure at the end of the knot.  Thus far, I have yet to have the wire to pull free from the mono.

      Tying the Albright is rather straight forward.  Careful attention to alignment of the wraps is essential for a strong knot.  All wraps should remain side by side, miss aligned wraps will dramatically reduce the ultimate strength of this knot.  Ten wraps will work for 20 lb tippets and twelve turns should be used for anything smaller. 

      By using hard mono for your tippet, carefully making the bend in the end of the wire loop, and keeping all wraps in alignment when tightening.  This knot will test close to 100 %.   Soft mono is a poor choice for attaching to wire.  

 

1.   Fold leader wire about two inches from end. Squeeze loop finger tight.  Don't squeeze so tight that  that your tippet will not easily pass through the loop.

 

2.  Using pliers, bend the very tip of the loop about 30 degrees.

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3.  Pass about 4 inches of the mono through the wire loop

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4.  Pinch wire and mono together, then wrap the tag end toward the end of the wire loop.

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5.  Keep wraps properly aligned.  On the bent side of the wire, insert the tag end between the standing end of the mono and the wire.

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6.  Begin tightening by pulling on the standing end of the mono, allowing the mono to slip through you thumb and fore finger of your holding hand.  Keep all wraps in alignment.   

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7.  A tug now and then on the tag end will be necessary to keep everything lined up as the knot cinches down. 

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8.  All wraps must remain side by side for a strong knot.  Do not trim the tag end of the mono too short.

Harry   Hall 

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