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Stillwater · Rainbow Trout

10.5-Foot Stillwater Leader for Intermediate Lines

A 10.5-foot mono stillwater leader built for an intermediate sinking line. It steps from a 43 inch butt of .011" down through 35 inches of .010" and 28 inches of .009" to a 20 inch tippet of 3X, .008", joined with triple surgeon's knots. The length keeps the fly line's splash away from the fly, and the slow-sinking line carries the fly down to cruising trout.

BBy BarblessOctober 15, 2026

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~13 lb0X.011"
~11.5 lb1X.010"
~9.5 lb2X.009"
~8 lb3X.008"
BUTT · 43"
TAPER · 35"
TAPER · 28"
TIPPET · 20"
Total length10' 6"
Rod4-6 wt
Flies1
Knots4
WaterLake or reservoir

Drag the drawing to pan. Tap a fly for what it does, a knot for how to tie it.

Build your leader

10' 6" of line · 4 pieces · Butt to tip

Butt 0X233X

Tie it

0 of 4 done

These are the finished lengths. Leave extra for tying each knot.

How to tie it

  1. Build the tapered leader

    Join the 43" butt to the 35" mid with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 28" of 2X with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 20" of 3X with a triple surgeon's knot.

    Tie a triple surgeon's knot

  2. Tie on the fly

    Tie the fly to the 20" tippet with an improved clinch knot.

    Tie an improved clinch knot

The knots

  • Triple surgeon's knot · 3 turns×3
    1. Lay the new line alongside the end of the leader so they overlap about six inches, the ends pointing opposite ways.
    2. Holding the two lines as one, tie an overhand knot, passing the whole new piece through the loop.
    3. Pass the same ends through the loop twice more, three times in all.
    4. Wet it and pull all four ends evenly to seat the knot. Trim the tags.
    The triple surgeon's knot, step by step
  • Improved clinch knot · 5 turns×1
    1. Pass the tippet through the hook eye and pull about five inches through.
    2. Wrap the tag around the standing line five to seven times.
    3. Pass the tag through the small loop just above the eye, then back through the large loop you just made.
    4. Wet it and pull the standing line so the wraps snug down against the eye. Trim the tag.
    The improved clinch knot, step by step

When and how to fish it

Fish it on a 4-6 wt with an intermediate line over weed beds, drop-offs and shallow flats. Cast, count the line down until the fly runs just above the weeds, then strip it back with slow pulls and pauses. It also trolls well behind a float tube or pontoon. When a count brings back weed, cut the count; when nothing touches, add a few seconds.

Keep a log of the count that produced the first fish and repeat it; the fish hold at one depth more often than not.

Common questions

  • Why use a long leader on a sinking line?

    The intermediate line sinks slowly, and the 10.5 feet of mono keeps the line's bulk well ahead of the fly in clear lake water, so cruising trout see the fly and not the line.

  • What flies suit the 3X tippet?

    Leeches, buggers, damsel nymphs and other stripped stillwater flies. The .008" tippet is strong enough for lake trout that hit a stripped fly hard.

  • Can it go lighter?

    Yes. For small flies in very clear water, add 18 to 24 inches of 4X below the 3X with a triple surgeon's knot.

  • Does it work on a floating line?

    It will cast, but it is built for an intermediate line that carries the fly down. On a floating line the fly fishes only as deep as its own weight takes it.

Rainbow TroutBrown TroutCutthroat TroutTiger TroutStillwaterLake

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