According to an article published in the February 2009 Issue of Field & Stream, tests have proven the San Diego Jam Knot to beat all other knots in strength tests when it comes to attaching a fly or other lure to the eye of a hook. That is because the San Diego Jam Knot uses wraps around both the tag end and the standing line. This feature is what gives the San Diego Jam Knot its superior strength to beat the Clinch Knot and the Improved Clinch Knot.
Tying the San Diego Jam Knot:
Step #1 – Thread the line through the hook eye, doubling it back to a length of about 10 inches.
Step #2 – Wrap the tag end over itself and the standing line, six times going in the direction of the hook.
Step #3 – Thread the tag end of the line through the first open loop at the eye of the hook.
Step #4 – Thread the tag end through the open loop at the other end of the knot.
Step #5 – Pull both the tag end and the standing line to tighten the knot while ensuring that the coils stay in a spiral without overlapping.
As with all knots, do not forget to lubricate the line with water or saliva prior to pulling tight and be sure to cut the tag ends correctly. If these practices are followed completely, the knot strength will be approximately 90 to 95% as strong as the line itself.
To learn more about more about the most popular fishing knots go to Trout University Class 104 Basic Knots.