I don’t know how many knots there are in the fishing world. There must be hundreds – maybe thousands. Of those, there are a few dozen in common use: Trilene, clinch, Palomar, nail, surgeon’s, blood, Sebile, slim beauty, etc. All these knots have a purpose, and each can certainly be used by local fishermen. But memorizing a bunch of knots is a pain, and if you don’t tie them regularly your fingers will forget them. Do you really want to carry a book or a set of cards with you every time you go out on the water? I sure don’t — I’d rather spend my time fishing.

What if I told there was one knot you could use for almost all your fishing needs? That’s why the uni-knot was invented. In its most basic form, it’s one of the best knots for tying on a hook. When you’re fishing a lure and trying to get the most action out of it, with just a minor modification it can be used as a loop knot. And there’s also the double uni, which is a great way to connect two lines — for example, when you’re tying a leader to your main line.