[jyl]

I used to use a lot of fishing knots, but nowadays I get by with:
1. To make a loop at the end of a line: bowline OR (lazy alternate) simply turn end of line back on itself to a bight then tie overhand knot
2. To make a loop on the middle of a line: fisherman’s dropper OR (lazy alternate) simply gather line into a bight and tie overhand knot
3. To tie the end of line to something: fisherman’s knot OR a couple clove hitches OR simply wrap line around the thing twice then pass line under the wrap then secure with two half hitches
4. To tie a load down: trucker’s hitch aka tautline hitch.

I know the above include some pretty lame alternates but I find if you’re not tying slipperly line (like mono), don’t care about easy untying or ultimate strength, my lazy alternates seem to work fine.