Blood Knot

Variations

1. Improved blood knot – Fares well in connecting a thicker line to a thinner one. For example a heavy shock material to a lighter class tippet.
2. Half blood knot – For attaching a fishing hook to the line. It can also join a line to a snap, swivel or lure.

Uses

1. In fly fishing.
2. To construct fishing leaders.
3. As a decorative stopper knot in sailing
4. For leader to tippet and line to leader connections.

Steps to Tying a Blood Knot Directions

1. Wrap the red rope around the blue one 5 times
2. Pass the red one through the central loop formed
3. Wrap the blue rope around the red one
4. Make 5 turns
5. Pass the blue one through the central loop
6. Pull the tag ends and the standing parts to tighten
7. Cut off the tag ends
8. The red and blue lines are now joined

Alternatives

1. Double surgeon’s knot – Slips less though weaker.
2. J knot – Slightly more powerful albeit difficult to tie.
3. Double uni– Stronger for braided lines.
4. Uni knot – Sturdier and less unwieldy.
5. Uni to uni – Retains around 90% of the line strength making it more robust.
6. Albright knot – Joins lines of different diameters.
7. Double fisherman’s knot – Employs fewer twists in the 2
8. Nail knot– Unites varying diameter lines. Also used in carp fishing versus the blood knot’s use in fly fishing only.