The World’s Fair Knot is a versatile and reliable fishing knot that has been gaining popularity among anglers, thanks to its simplicity and strength. Created by Gary L. Martin, it first gained attention when it was demonstrated at the 1982 Knoxville World’s Fair, where it was recognized as the best new, easy-to-tie, all-purpose fishing knot in Dupont Corp’s Great Knot Search competition.
As a terminal tackle knot, it connects a fishing line to a lure or a hook, ensuring a secure connection during the casting and reeling process. Its dependability and ease of use make it an excellent option for both beginners and seasoned anglers. With a few straightforward steps, the World’s Fair Knot can quickly become an essential part of any fisherman’s arsenal, offering a robust alternative to some other popular knots.
History of the World’s Fair Knot
Gary L. Martin
Gary L. Martin created the World’s Fair Knot, a dependable and easy-to-tie fishing knot. It was designed to connect a line to a lure effectively. This innovative fishing knot design eventually went on to gain recognition and praise within the sports industry.
Great Knot Search
The World’s Fair Knot was first showcased and demonstrated by Martin at the 1982 Knoxville World’s Fair, where it participated in Dupont’s “Best New Knot” competition. Among 498 entries, the World’s Fair Knot stood out and proved itself to be a valuable addition to the world of fishing knots. This earned the knot its unique name, associating it with the impactful event that gave it international exposure.
Outdoor Writers
In the world of fishing enthusiasts, outdoor writers played an essential role in spreading the word about the World’s Fair Knot. As the knot gained popularity, many writers and publications highlighted the knot’s use in various fishing scenarios, such as attaching terminal tackle and drop shot rigs. Pro bass fishermen have also adopted this knot for their gear setups, further cementing the World’s Fair Knot’s position as an indispensable tool for fishing enthusiasts around the globe.
Tying the World’s Fair Knot
The World’s Fair Knot is a dependable and easy-to-tie fishing knot that works well with monofilament or fluorocarbon lines. It was created by Gary L. Martin of Lafayette, Indiana, and was chosen as the best new, easy-to-tie, all-purpose fishing knot by a panel of outdoor writers in Dupont Corp’s Great Knot Search. In this section, we will explore the process of tying the World’s Fair Knot, focusing on tying instructions, the double strand, and the tag end.
| Double a 6 inch length of line and pass the loop through the eye. |  |
| Bring the loop back next to the doubled line and grasp the doubled line through the loop. |  |
| Put the tag end through the new loop formed by the double line. |  |
| Bring the tag end back through the new loop created by step 3. |  |
| Pull the tag end snug, and slide the knot up tight. Clip the tag end. | |
Tying Instructions
- Begin by doubling back the end of the monofilament or fluorocarbon line on itself to create a 6-inch long knot.
- Pass the loop through the eye of the tackle, leaving a section hanging free.
- Fold the extra part of the loop backward, ensuring it covers the double line of the fishing thread.
- Put the tag end through the new loop formed by the doubled line.
- Bring the tag end back through the new loop created in step 3, securing the knot.
The World’s Fair Knot is now successfully tied, providing a strong and versatile connection for a variety of fishing applications.
Double Strand
Creating a double strand is essential for the World’s Fair Knot. It serves as the foundation for the knot-tying process, allowing the knot to be strong and secure. The double strand is formed by folding the fishing line back on itself, ensuring that it is long enough (approximately 6 inches) to create the necessary loops and provide adequate room for the knot to be tied.
Tag End
The tag end is a crucial part of tying the World’s Fair Knot. When passing the loop through the eye of the tackle in step 2, it is necessary to have a section of the tag end hanging free, so it can be folded back over the double line and manipulated through the loops. This part of the process secures the knot, ensuring that it remains tight and durable even when subjected to the stress of various fishing situations.
Applications of the World’s Fair Knot
Drop Shot Rigs
The World’s Fair Knot is often used in drop shot rigs, a popular technique in bass fishing. Pro bass fishermen prefer this knot when tying drop shot rigs because it allows them to easily adjust the tag end to their desired length, which corresponds to the weight that will be attached to it. The knot’s dependability and ease of tying with either monofilament or fluorocarbon line make it an essential addition to any fishing tackle toolkit.
Fly Fishing
In fly fishing, the World’s Fair Knot can be utilized for connecting the tippet to the fly. Its strong and easy-to-tie properties make it an optimal choice for anglers who need a reliable knot for their delicate tippet material. Plus, the loop created by the knot allows for better fly action in the water, making it an excellent choice for fly fishing enthusiasts.
Terminal Tackle Knots
The World’s Fair Knot is a versatile terminal tackle knot that can be employed to attach a line to a lure or swivel. Tying this knot involves doubling a 6-inch length of line, passing the loop through the hook eye or swivel eye, and then completing a series of loops and passes to create a secure connection. The knot’s ability to easily and securely connect the fishing line to various types of terminal tackle makes it an indispensable asset for anglers across different fishing scenarios.
Comparisons With Other Knots
Orvis Knot
The Orvis Knot is a reliable and strong fishing knot that can be used to attach a hook, lure, or fly to the fishing line. It is particularly suitable for use with fluorocarbon lines because it has a high strength and slip-resistant properties. The Orvis Knot is easy to tie, but might need some practice when fishing in challenging conditions.
Fish N Fool Knot
The Fish N Fool Knot is another popular choice in the world of fishing knots. Its strength and efficiency make it a great option for knot tying, especially when attaching hooks and lures to fishing lines. This knot is well-suited for fluorocarbon lines due to its ability to maintain the line’s original strength.
Contest Knot
The Contest Knot, along with the World’s Fair Knot, has been acclaimed as one of the top-performing fishing knots. Both these knots have proven their efficiency in various fishing knot competitions, making them a valuable addition to any angler’s knot-tying arsenal. Despite their similarities, the Contest Knot may differ slightly in tying technique and appearance compared to the World’s Fair Knot.
It is important to note that the ideal choice of knot may vary based on factors such as the type of fishing line used, the size of the hook or lure, and the angler’s personal preference. Practical experience and practice in tying these knots will help in determining which knot performs best under specific fishing conditions.
Variety of Line Sizes and Considerations
The World’s Fair Knot is a versatile and easy-to-tie fishing knot that can accommodate a variety of line sizes. It is popular among anglers because it is suitable for both monofilament and fluorocarbon lines, two of the most commonly used materials in fishing lines.
When tying the World’s Fair Knot, there are a few considerations to keep in mind, depending on the type of line being used. For instance, monofilament lines tend to have more stretch and less sensitivity compared to fluorocarbon lines. This means that when using a monofilament line, it might be necessary to pull the knot tighter to ensure a secure connection.
On the other hand, fluorocarbon lines are known for their durability, abrasion resistance, and lower visibility underwater. These attributes make fluorocarbon lines a popular choice for tying the World’s Fair Knot, especially when targeting wary fish or fishing in clear water. However, fluorocarbon lines can be stiffer than monofilament lines, so care should be taken when tying the knot to avoid damaging the line.
One of the key advantages of the World’s Fair Knot is its adaptability to a variety of line sizes. Whether using heavy or light line, the knot can be easily adjusted to provide a secure connection to hooks, lures, or swivels. This adaptability makes it an essential addition to any angler’s repertoire of fishing knots.
In summary, the World’s Fair Knot is a versatile and reliable fishing knot that can be tied with both monofilament and fluorocarbon lines across a range of line sizes. By taking into consideration the properties of the line material and adjusting the tying technique accordingly, anglers can ensure a strong and secure connection to their terminal tackle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the history of the World’s Fair Knot?
The World’s Fair Knot was created by Gary L. Martin of Lafayette, Indiana. It was selected by a panel of outdoor writers as the best new, easy-to-tie, all-purpose fishing knot in Dupont Corporation’s Great Knot Search source.
How do you tie a World’s Fair Knot?
To tie a World’s Fair Knot, double a 6-inch length of line and pass the loop through the eye. Bring the loop back next to the doubled line and grasp the doubled line through the loop. Put the tag end through the new loop formed by the double line source. Detailed instructions, pictures, tutorials, and videos can be found here.
In which World’s Fair was the knot introduced?
The World’s Fair Knot was first demonstrated at the 1982 Knoxville World’s Fair, from where it got its name source.
What are common uses for the World’s Fair Knot?
The World’s Fair Knot is an easy-to-tie terminal tackle knot commonly used for connecting line to swivel or lure in fishing source. It is a useful addition to a fisherman’s knot arsenal due to its strength and versatility source.
What makes the World’s Fair Knot unique?
The World’s Fair Knot is unique because of its combination of simplicity, strength, versatility, and the fact that it was recognized as the best all-purpose fishing knot in a major knot search competition source.
Are there any variations of the World’s Fair Knot?
There do not seem to be any well-known variations of the World’s Fair Knot specifically mentioned in the provided search results. However, there are many other knots used in fishing and outdoor activities that may have similar functions or characteristics.
Ed spent his childhood in the backwoods of Maine, where harsh winters taught him the value of survival skills. With a background in bushcraft and off-grid living, Ed has honed his expertise in fire-making, hunting, and wild foraging. He writes from personal experience, sharing practical tips and hands-on techniques to thrive in any outdoor environment. Whether it’s primitive camping or full-scale survival, Ed’s advice is grounded in real-life challenges.