Pitzen Knot

The Pitzen Knot is a small, incredibly strong terminal knot that has earned a devoted following among European competition fly anglers and ultralight tackle enthusiasts. Also known as the 16-20 Knot because it was originally tested and trusted for hooks in the size 16 to 20 range, this knot consistently tests at or near 100 percent of the line’s rated breaking strength when tied correctly. Its compact profile sits tight against the hook eye without a bulky knot body, allowing tiny flies and micro jigs to move naturally in the current. The Pitzen Knot is particularly popular in the Euro nymphing community where light tippets in the 6X and 7X range are the norm and every ounce of knot strength matters because you cannot afford any weakness between you and a fish on gossamer-thin tippet.

How to Tie the Pitzen Knot

1. Thread the tag end through the hook eye from the point side, pulling about six inches of line through.
2. Bring the tag end back alongside the standing line, creating a parallel doubled section.
3. Pinch the standing line and tag end together about two inches above the hook eye with your thumb and forefinger.
4. With your other hand, take the tag end and wrap it back toward the hook eye around both the standing line and the section of tag end running alongside it. Make three to four tight wraps, working toward the hook.
5. After the final wrap, pass the tag end through the loop that remains between your pinch point and the first wrap. The tag should go through the loop closest to your fingers, not the one near the hook.
6. Moisten the entire knot thoroughly with saliva.
7. Pull the tag end first to begin seating the wraps, then pull the standing line steadily to cinch the knot down tight against the hook eye.
8. Trim the tag end close to the knot body, leaving just a tiny nub.

When to Use the Pitzen Knot

• Euro nymphing and tight-line nymphing where light tippet in the 5X to 7X range demands a knot that preserves every bit of breaking strength.
• Competition fly fishing where regulations often prohibit certain gear advantages, making knot strength one of the few controllable variables.
• Ultralight spinning and micro fishing with two-pound to four-pound test line and tiny jigs or hooks where a weak knot means lost fish.
• Any terminal connection to a small hook or fly where you want a compact, low-profile knot that does not impede the natural movement of the offering.

Pro Tips

• Three wraps are sufficient for monofilament in the 4X to 6X range. Adding a fourth wrap helps with thinner 7X tippet or very slick fluorocarbon, but more than four wraps creates unnecessary bulk without adding strength.
• The direction you pass the tag end through the final loop matters. It must go through the loop nearest your pinch fingers, not the loop near the hook. Passing through the wrong loop creates a different, weaker structure.
• Seat the knot in two stages: first tighten by pulling the tag end to gather the wraps, then finish by pulling the standing line to cinch everything against the hook eye. Rushing this into one motion can cause the wraps to overlap and weaken the knot.
• Test each Pitzen Knot with a firm pull before fishing. Because the knot relies on precise wrap alignment, a poorly seated knot will fail at much lower strength, and it is better to discover that before a fish finds it for you.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Extremely high knot strength, consistently testing between 95 and 100 percent of line rating when properly tied.
• Very compact and low profile, allowing small flies and lures to move with maximum natural action.
• Quick to tie once practiced, taking only a few seconds per connection even with cold or wet fingers.
• Uses minimal line for the knot body, preserving tippet length over the course of a day of retying.

Cons:

• The tying technique is less intuitive than a standard clinch knot, and the loop direction for the final tuck can be confusing at first.
• Best suited for monofilament and fluorocarbon; it does not perform well with braided line due to braid’s slippery texture.
• Requires careful, deliberate seating in two stages. Rushing the tightening step significantly reduces strength.
• Less widely known outside of European competition circles, so finding tutorials or guidance can be harder compared to mainstream knots.