Rigs Lab · Fishing knots
Also called Kreh loop
Leaves the fly free to swing on a fixed loop. Good for streamers and nymphs.
Step 1: Tie a loose overhand knot in the tippet a few inches from the end.
Step 2: Pass the tag through the hook eye and back through the overhand knot on the side it came out of.
Step 3: Wrap the tag around the standing line four to seven times, fewer for heavier line.
Step 4: Pass the tag back through the overhand knot, entering on the side it last came out of.
Step 5: Wet it, pull the tag to snug the wraps, then pull the standing line and the fly apart to close the knot. Trim the tag.
I built this rig to get a weighted hex fly down to the lake bottom where trout are waiting for natural hex emergers to rise up the water column. It uses a slip bobber to suspend the fly 12 to 24 inches above the bottom in 15 to 35 feet of water, letting me fish without casting while the fish camp in place before they start moving up to chase the hatch.
A 10-foot tarpon leader for an 8-10 wt rod, aimed at juvenile and mid-size fish. The butt steps down from 42" of 40 lb mono (.024") through 30" of 30 lb (.021") and 18" of 20 lb (.017") to an 18" class tippet of 15 lb mono (.015"). Last comes a 12" bite tippet of 30 lb fluorocarbon (.020") to stand up to a tarpon's rough mouth, with a 1/0 Tarpon Toad on a non-slip loop knot.
A simple all-fluorocarbon saltwater leader for 7 to 9 weight rods. It steps down from 36 inches of 40 lb (.026") to 12 inches of 30 lb (.022"), 24 inches of 20 lb (.018") and 24 inches of 15 lb (.016"), joined with triple surgeon's knots, for 8 feet in all. The fly is tied on with a non-slip loop knot so it swims freely.
An 8-foot snook leader with a heavy butt and a fast taper, built to turn over bulky baitfish flies into the wind. It runs 48 inches of 60 lb mono (.030") to 36 inches of 30 lb mono (.022"), joined with triple surgeon's knots, and ends in a 12 inch bite tippet of 40 lb fluorocarbon (.024"). The bite tippet takes the wear from a snook's rough mouth and gill plates, and the fly hangs on a non-slip loop knot so it swims freely.
An 11.5-foot tarpon leader that tapers in even steps: 36 inches of 60 lb mono (.032"), then 24 inches each of 40 lb (.024"), 30 lb (.022") and 20 lb (.017"), an 18 inch class tippet of 16 lb (.016"), and a 12 inch shock of 40 lb fluorocarbon (.025"). The gradual taper turns over a tarpon fly smoothly, the class tippet sets the breaking strength, and the shock tippet takes the wear of a tarpon's rough mouth. It suits juvenile and mid-sized tarpon on a 9-11 wt.
A 10-foot tarpon leader built the classic way: a 48" butt of 60 lb mono (.032"), 30" of 40 lb mono (.024"), a 30" 16 lb class tippet (.016") and a 12" bite tippet of 60 lb fluorocarbon (.028"). Albright knots join the class tippet to the heavier line on both sides, and a non-slip loop knot ties on the fly so it swims freely.
A heavier do-it-yourself saltwater leader: 36" of 40 lb fluorocarbon, 24" of 30 lb, and a 24" tip of 20 lb, for 7' in all. It is short and stout so it turns over bulky flies in wind and stands up to hard-running fish, rough mouths and structure. The fly goes on with a non-slip loop knot so it swims freely.
A 12.5-foot tarpon leader for an 11-12 wt. It runs 72 inches of 60 lb mono, 48 inches of 40 lb mono and an 18 inch class tippet of 16 lb, ending in a 12 inch bite tippet of 50 lb fluorocarbon. The heavy butt turns over big tarpon flies, the class tippet sets the breaking strength, and the bite tippet takes the wear of a tarpon's rough jaw.
An 11.5-foot tarpon leader for a 12 wt, all fluorocarbon. A 60 inch butt of 60 lb steps to 12 inches of 40 lb and 24 inches of 30 lb, then an 18 inch class tippet of 20 lb and a 24 inch bite tippet of 50 lb. The stepped butt turns over big tarpon flies on a 12 wt line, the class tippet sets the breaking strength, and the bite tippet stands up to a big tarpon's rough mouth.
A 4-foot saltwater leader for full sinking lines. It is 18" of 40 lb fluorocarbon, 12" of 30 lb and 18" of 20 lb, joined with triple surgeon's knots, with the fly on a non-slip loop knot. The short length keeps the streamer down at the depth the line reaches, for stripers, jacks and other fish feeding below the surface.
A 13.5-foot swing leader for a 9-11 wt two-handed rod, built on the 60-20-20 formula. It runs 97" of .018" butt, 32" of .014" and 32" of 0X (.011") tippet, so the butt carries the cast and the tip lays the fly out straight. It suits a floating line and a swung streamer in clear or low water.
A 10-foot tarpon leader for an 8-10 wt rod. The butt steps down from 42" of 40 lb mono (.024") through 30" of 30 lb (.021") and 18" of 20 lb (.017") to an 18" class tippet of 15 lb mono (.015"). Last comes a 12" bite tippet of 40 lb fluorocarbon (.023"), which stands up to a tarpon's rough mouth. The fly is a 1/0 Tarpon Toad on a non-slip loop knot.
