+ How to Tie a Fisherman's Knot — Step-by-Step Climbing Knot Guide | BoulderingList

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Fisherman's Knot

intermediate

The fisherman's knot joins two ropes by tying an overhand knot in each rope around the other rope. Strong but harder to untie than the double fisherman's.

When to Use

Joining two ropes of similar diameter — common in fishing and rope work, less common in modern climbing where the double fisherman's is preferred.

The fisherman's knot (also called the "angler's knot" or "true lover's knot") joins two ropes of similar diameter. Each rope is tied with an overhand knot around the other rope; when the two knots are pulled together, they jam against each other and lock. The result is a strong, low-profile join that holds well under tension.

In modern climbing, the standard knot for joining two ropes (for rappelling on doubled ropes) is the double fisherman's knot rather than the single fisherman's — the double version is more secure and the standard taught in every climbing course. The single fisherman's remains common in fishing, sailing, and general rope work.

The fisherman's knot has one notable property: it is very difficult to untie after loading. The two overhand knots compress against each other under tension and stay locked. For climbing applications, this is generally a good thing (the knot will not shake loose) but means you cannot reuse the rope segment without cutting.

How to Tie the Fisherman's Knot

Step 1

Lay the two rope ends parallel, with each rope's working end pointing past the other rope's standing part. About 30 cm of overlap.
Step 2

With the first rope's working end, tie an overhand knot around the second rope's standing part.
Step 3

With the second rope's working end, tie an overhand knot around the first rope's standing part. The two overhand knots should sit a few centimetres apart.
Step 4

Pull both standing parts to slide the two overhand knots together. They should click together and lock against each other.
Step 5

Pull hard on both standing parts to fully seat the knots. Trim any excess tail past the knots if needed.

Tips for Tying It Well

Make sure each overhand knot is dressed cleanly before sliding them together. Twisted overhands weaken the join.
Leave at least 5 cm of tail past each overhand knot.
For climbing applications, prefer the double fisherman's knot — same idea but with two wraps in each overhand for additional security.

Common Mistakes

Tying the second overhand knot around the wrong rope. Each overhand should be around the OTHER rope's standing part, not its own.
Not seating the knots together firmly enough. A loose fisherman's can slip under cyclic loading.
Using it for climbing applications where double fisherman's is the standard. For rappelling on joined ropes, always use the double.

Related Knots

Double Fisherman's Knot

intermediate

The double fisherman's knot is the climbing standard for joining two ropes. Two double-overhand knots tied around each other create a low-profile, bombproof join.

Overhand Knot

beginner

The overhand knot is the simplest knot — a single loop with the working end passed through. Used as a stopper, a backup, and the foundation for more complex knots.

Water Knot

beginner

The water knot (also called the "tape knot") is the standard knot for joining two ends of flat webbing — used to make slings and runners.

Take it further

Browse the full climbing knots library, or find a climbing gym to practice tying knots in real climbing situations.

All Climbing Knots Find a Gym Beginner's Guide

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