The Ossel Hitch is used to tie a rope to an object, but it has a cool history related to fishing.
So, what does “Ossel” mean?
It’s a Scottish fisherman’s word for a gill net and the line attaching the net to a submerged rope.
It secures the lower ends of floating ropes that support the nets.
Let’s learn it in detail.
Ossel Hitch Details
Type: Hitch
Other Names: None
ABoK Reference: Not Available
How to Tie the Ossel Hitch Knot
- Pass the working end down behind the rope and bring it to the front.
- Wrap the tag end behind the standing end and to the front.
- Pass it under the rope.
- Feed it under the first turn.
- Tighten the knot.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Quick and easy to tie
- Holds strong with underwater movements
Cons
- Works best with same diameter ropes
Application and Uses
The Ossel Hitch is a go-to knot for fishermen for years.
It’s mainly used to attach the nets to the submerged float ropes.
It’s strong, holds pretty well under tension in wet conditions and is easy to untie after going through heavy loading.
Other Similar Knots
Ossel Knot
The Ossel Knot is used on the upper ends of the Ossel ropes.
It’s stronger than the Ossel Hitch as it has to resist being bashed on the surface of the rough sea.
Ground Line Hitch
The Ground Line Hitch is tied with a thin cord onto a thicker line.
It’s used by the cod fisherman on their trawl nets and as a picket line hitch to tie horses.
This hitch is used to attach the net to the groundline (rope on the bottom of the net like the gillnet).
Geoffrey Budworth suggests using a slipped version of this knot especially when the ropes are not swinging.
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