Fishing Knots
Blood Knot
Barrel knot
DIFFICULTY ●●●●○
The classic line-to-line splice: each tag end wraps five times around the other line and tucks back through the center gap in opposite directions, forming a slim symmetrical barrel.
See it tied step-by-step ↗Why it earns its place
Joins two similar-diameter lines into a connection slim enough to slide through rod guides — which is why fly anglers building tapered leaders still swear by it.
Where it fails
Fiddly with cold fingers and weak if the two lines differ much in thickness (use a uni-to-uni or surgeon's instead). Count your wraps and cinch both sides evenly.
Quick facts
| Type | Line-to-line splice |
| Line | Similar diameters |
| Strength | ~85–90% tied well |
| Best for | Fly leaders, slim joins |