Non-Slip Loop Knot Guide: How to Tie Lefty Kreh's Loop

The non-slip loop knot belongs in every angler’s arsenal as one of the most reliable connections for flies, lures, and hooks. Developed by legendary angler Lefty Kreh during extensive strength testing, this knot evolved from the original Homer Rhodes Loop Knot and was featured in the influential book “Practical Fishing Knots,” co-authored with Mark Sosin. Also known as Kreh Loop or the Non-Slip Mono Knot, it creates a fixed loop that allows tackle to move through a much greater range of motion than standard knots like the Improved Clinch Knot or Uni Knot, giving your presentation a more natural action that attracts fish.

What Is the Non-Slip Loop Knot and When to Use It

The non-slip loop knot forms a strong, secure loop at the end of your fishing line that maintains its size under pressure. Unlike knots that cinch tight against the hook eye, this connection allows the fly or lure to swing freely, creating lifelike movement in the water. The knot undergoes a fascinating transformation as it tightens—the outer wraps become internal and vice versa—creating a secure structure that often retains 80-90% of line strength when tied correctly.

This knot excels for fly fishing applications, particularly with streamers like Clouser Minnows where maximum action is essential. Saltwater anglers rely on it for bonefish and tarpon fishing, where natural fly movement makes the difference between hookups and refusals. It’s equally effective on nymphs, especially bead heads, giving them jig-like movement that triggers strikes. Bass anglers use it with poppers to create erratic surface action. The loop connection works well whenever you want tackle to move independently of your retrieve. However, avoid using it for dry flies except poppers, as most delicate presentations benefit from direct-tie knots. The non-slip loop knot can be time-consuming to tie, especially with heavier tippet, and requires practice to seat properly, but the enhanced lure action justifies the extra effort.

How to Tie the Non-Slip Loop Knot

Follow these steps carefully to create a reliable connection that won’t fail when you hook into that fish of a lifetime:

Form the Initial Overhand Knot: Start by measuring 6-7 inches up your tippet or fishing line from the end. Create a simple overhand knot at this point, but don’t tighten it completely—leave it slightly loose. This initial loop determines your final loop size, so position it thoughtfully.
Thread Through the Hook Eye: Take the tag end (also called the bitter end) and pass it through the eye of your hook, lure, or fly. Then bring the tag end back up and pass it through the opening in the overhand knot you created. Pay attention to direction—the line should go back through the hole in the exact opposite way it came out, not from underneath and out the top.
Adjust the Loop Size: Pull gently on the tag end to close down the loop that goes through the hook eye, but don’t fully tighten the overhand knot yet. Make it smaller and bring it down reasonably close to the hook eye. At this stage, you’re looking at what resembles a simple slip knot. Adjust now because once tightened, the loop size is fixed.
Wrap Around the Standing Line: Pinch the overhand knot between your thumb and index finger to hold it steady. Take the tag end and begin making wraps around the running line or standing line. The number of wraps depends on line test weight: use 2-3 wraps for lines over 60 pounds, 4-5 turns for medium-weight mono and fluorocarbon (15-60 pounds), and 6-7 wraps with lighter tippet under 15 pounds. For typical bonefish tippet of 10-20 pound test, exactly 5 wraps provide optimal strength.
Complete the Final Pass: After completing your wraps, pass the tag end back through the hole in the overhand knot one final time. This is critical—notice how all three passes enter and exit through the same side of the hole. This consistent direction is what gives the knot its non-slip characteristic.
Moisten and Tighten: Before seating the knot, lubricate it thoroughly with saliva. With all the wraps rubbing together, lubrication prevents friction damage and helps the knot cinch properly. Pull in opposite directions on both the standing line and the tag end simultaneously to compress the knot while maintaining your loop. This can take effort, especially with heavier line—using forceps or pliers to grip the tag end makes the process much easier. Trim the excess tippet, leaving about 1/8-inch protruding as insurance, since the knot draws up under pressure from a running fish and a close-trimmed tag end might pull through.

Practice this technique several times with scrap line before tying it streamside, as proper execution requires muscle memory to achieve consistently strong results.

Pro Tips for a Stronger Non-Slip Loop Knot

Use Tools for Heavy Tippet: When working with line over 15-pound test, hemostats, forceps, or fishing pliers provide the grip needed to properly seat the knot. Trying to tighten heavy mono or fluorocarbon with bare fingers often results in incomplete seating and reduced strength.
Keep Loops Small but Functional: Smaller loops allow a wide range of motion while still sitting close enough to the hook eye that they don’t look unnatural. Excessively large loops can tangle with vegetation during retrieves and create an awkward presentation.
Count Your Wraps Precisely: The number of wraps directly affects knot strength. Too few wraps and the knot may slip; too many and it becomes bulky and difficult to tighten properly. With 5x fluorocarbon tippet, which is notoriously slippery, always use 6 wraps around the mainline for security.
Tighten Slowly and Deliberately: Rush the final tightening and you’ll create an unreliable connection. Pull the knot down snug slowly, letting the fly swing loosely, then pull the standing line and the fly in opposite directions to finish seating. The tag end should face the hook, preventing it from catching grass and debris on the retrieve.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Inconsistent Pass Direction: The most critical error is passing the tag end through the overhand knot from different directions. All three passes must enter and exit from the same side. Reversing direction on any pass fundamentally weakens the structure and can cause the loop to slip under load.
Trimming the Tag Too Close: While a neat knot looks professional, cutting the tag end flush with the knot is asking for trouble. The non-slip loop knot tightens further when a fish runs, and without that small nubbin of line extending from the knot, the tag can pull completely through, causing catastrophic failure.
Skipping Lubrication: Dry-tightening this knot generates tremendous friction as multiple wraps compress together. This heat and abrasion can weaken the fishing line by 20% or more. Always moisten the knot with saliva before final tightening—it’s a simple step that dramatically improves reliability.
Wrong Wrap Count for Line Weight: Using the same number of wraps regardless of tippet diameter is a recipe for inconsistent performance. Light tippet needs more wraps (6-7) to grip properly, while heavy line requires fewer (2-3) to avoid excessive bulk that prevents proper seating.

Best Line Types for the Non-Slip Loop Knot

Monofilament: Mono works exceptionally well with this knot, offering good grip and forgiving characteristics during tightening. The material’s slight stretch helps absorb shock when fighting fish. Standard nylon monofilament in the 10-20 pound range ties easily and seats reliably with 4-5 wraps, making it an excellent choice for anglers learning the technique.
Fluorocarbon: Fluorocarbon tippet presents more challenges due to its stiff, slippery nature, but the non-slip loop knot handles it better than many alternatives. The key is adding extra wraps—use 6 for lighter fluorocarbon under 12 pounds. Take extra care moistening and slowly tightening, as fluorocarbon is less forgiving of rushed technique. The resulting connection provides excellent abrasion resistance and near-invisibility underwater.
Braided Line: While primarily designed for mono and fluorocarbon, this knot can work with braided line when you need a loop connection. Increase the wrap count significantly—8-10 wraps minimum—since braid’s slick coating provides less friction. Some anglers prefer alternative loop knots like the Perfection Loop for braid, but the non-slip loop knot remains viable when tied with sufficient wraps and careful attention to seating.

Non-Slip Loop Knot vs Rapala Knot

The Rapala Knot creates a similar loop connection and shares many applications with the non-slip loop knot. Both allow free lure movement and work well with similar line types. However, many anglers find the non-slip loop knot easier to tie consistently, particularly in challenging conditions on the water. The Kreh Loop also tends to retain slightly more line strength in testing. The Rapala Knot uses a different wrapping pattern that some find more intuitive, so choice often comes down to personal preference and which technique you’ve practiced more. For maximum reliability, master one loop knot thoroughly rather than switching between several.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you tie a loop knot that doesn’t slip?

The key to a truly non-slip loop is ensuring all three passes through the overhand knot enter and exit from the same side, using the correct number of wraps for your line weight (4-7 depending on test strength), and moistening before slowly tightening the connection. The tag end must pass back through the overhand knot after wrapping around the standing line, creating the locking mechanism that prevents slippage.

Which loop knot is the strongest?

The non-slip loop knot ranks among the strongest loop connections available, with Lefty Kreh’s testing showing it retains most of the line’s rated strength—in some tests the strand broke rather than the knot failing. The Perfection Loop offers comparable strength, while the Bimini Twist provides maximum strength but requires more complex tying. For practical fishing applications, the Kreh Loop offers an excellent balance of strength and ease of tying.

When should you use a non-slip loop knot for fishing?

Use this knot whenever you want your fly or lure to move independently of the line for natural action. It excels for streamers, saltwater flies for bonefish and tarpon, nymphs (especially bead heads), poppers, and any moving presentation where the tackle should swing freely. Avoid it for delicate dry fly presentations where a direct connection works better, and skip it when fishing in heavy cover where the loop might snag vegetation.

How many wraps should you use on a non-slip loop knot?

The number of wraps depends on line test weight: use 6-7 wraps for tippet under 15 pounds, 4-5 turns for 15-60 pound test mono and fluorocarbon, and only 2-3 wraps for lines over 60 pounds. For typical bonefish fishing with 10-20 pound tippet, exactly 5 wraps provides optimal strength. Fluorocarbon requires one additional wrap compared to mono of the same weight due to its slippery surface.

Master the Non-Slip Loop Knot

While the non-slip loop knot requires more time and practice than simple direct-tie knots, the enhanced action it provides your flies and lures makes it absolutely worth mastering. Start by practicing at home with heavier line until the steps become automatic, then work your way down to lighter tippet. With repetition, you’ll tie it confidently streamside and enjoy the improved presentations that lead to more hookups and landed fish.