There’s an old saying: “If you don’t know a knot, tie a lot.” It’s funny advice, really. Outdoor sports enthusiasts should know lots of knots, but we should know how to tie them correctly every time.

This story was originally featured on Field & Stream. Fishing line has advanced remarkably in the past few decades. Nylon monofilament, fluorocarbon, and so-called “superline” give fishermen ...