Knots; Needle Knot

The needle knot is my go to knot for attaching my leader to fly line on my trout setups. This is a very strong connection and most importantly a very smooth connection that slides through your fly rod guides without catching. I like this knot over a loop to loop or the nail knot because I have never had this knot hang up on a guide. I fish a lot of long leaders(11-13') on my trout rods, when landing fish I normally have to reel the flyline/leader connection several feet into the rod guides. When using light tippet(5x/6x) if the fish makes a last minute run and the flyline/leader connect hangs on a guide the fish will likely break you off. May not be a big deal if it wasn't a big fish, but if it was... This video does a really good job describing this knot.

Knots; Non Slip Loop Knot

The non slip loop knot is my go to knot for when I want a loop knot. On my warm water leaders this is how I attach two different tippet strengths. By creating a loop to loop connection I can easily change out tippets for varies applications. This knot does use a lot of tippet/material to tie but I like it more than the perfection loop, especially on lighter tippets under 12lbs. I have had no problems with this knot breaking prematurely or failing me. It is a good knot for mono, flouro and wire and I like that the tag end points towards the loop. This prevents the knot from catching on grass and moss and other debris fouling up the presentation/fly.

Knots; Perfection Loop

I like the perfection loop with heavy tippet of 20 lb or more. I have found, especially with fluorocarbon, that this knot will break relatively easily with lighter tippet. I think it has something to do with the way the knot tightens down causing a pinch in the line that creates a weak point. One thing that is very important is the tag end needs to be at 90 degrees when the knot is completed, if not it did not set properly and will fail. It's not the easiest knot to control the loop size, especially when used with a fly. A little adjusting as you tighten the knot will be needed to make sure the loop is not to large. However it is a popular knot for your leader butt while creating a loop to loop connection to your fly line. I also like using this knot on wire bite tippet, since wire is fairly expensive and this knot doesn't have a lot of waste.

Knots; Improved Clinch Knot

Likely the first knot you learned as a fisherman, This is a great knot and still one I use often; likely because I have tied it so many times I could do it with my eyes closed. Generally use this knot with lighter tippet, trout stuff in the 4x, 5x, and 6x and smaller flies. Be careful as I have had this knot slip on me if I use it with light tippet and larger size flies, for example 6x and a size 8 wooly bugger. This is a very fast, effective knot that uses minimal tippet to tie. Since this is a friction knot make sure you lubricate the knot with spit or dunking in the water before tightening it down. While clinching this knot down do so in a slow steady fashion or you risk heating the line up and causing a weaker knot that might cost you a good fish.

Knots: San Diego Jam

Going to go over a few knots that I use frequently. First is the San Diego Jam. I started using this knot when I switched over to fluorocarbon. Fluorocarbon weakens significantly when it heats up from friction knots like the clinch knot. I have also noticed it seems to weaken with knots that pinch down on the line like the perfection loop. I primarily use the San Diego Jam on 8lb-20lb leaders. I have had nearly zero failure with this knot. It also is a great knot for the attaching a trailer fly to the bend of the hook of your lead fly. With a little bit of wiggling you can loosen this knot up and slid it off bend of the hook if you want to remove the trailer fly.  Only complaint is it does use up more leader than some of your other knots. Give it a try I think it will quickly become one of your favorite knots.