The blood knot is one of the best for
joining monofilament of similar diameters. With light lines
differences in diameter are less critical and the blood knot
is commonly used for making tapered fly leaders. When you
first tie this one you may feel like you need twenty fingers,
but you’ll quickly get the hang of it.
1) Lay the lines parallel and facing
in opposite directions and cross the end of one over the
other. Wrap this line three or four times around the other
and place the end of this line in the crotch or the V
formed by the two lines.
2) Do the same with the other line,
being sure to pass the end through the loop in the opposite
direction to the first line.
3) Slowly pull on the standing
ends of the lines to draw the knot together. When the
knot is formed, lubricate with saliva and pull the knot
up tight.
4) Trim the tag ends off so
that they don’t catch in the rod guides.
