What does half-again mean?

Each section is half the length of the one before it: 60 inches, then 30, then 15. The tippet at the end is longer, 27 inches here, so the fly lands softly.

Can the tippet be heavier or lighter?

Yes. Keep the butt sections and swap the 27 inch tippet for the strength the fish and cover call for, stepping no more than one size from the 15 lb section above it.

A 7 to 9 wt. The 30 lb butt is stiff enough to turn over weighted and bulky flies on those rods.

Triple surgeon's knots join the sections, and an improved clinch knot ties on the fly.

Streamer · Largemouth Bass

11-Foot Half-Again Leader Formula, 12 lb

An 11-foot leader built on the half-again formula: each section is half the length of the one above it. It runs 60 inches of 30 lb mono, 30 inches of 20 lb and 15 inches of 15 lb, then a 27 inch tippet of 12 lb. The long, heavy butt carries the cast's energy down to the fly, so it turns over weighted and wind-resistant flies for flats and warm-water fishing.

BBy BarblessOctober 15, 2026

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30 lb.022"

20 lb.017"

15 lb.015"

12 lb.013"

BUTT · 60"

TAPER · 30"

TAPER · 15"

TIPPET · 27"

30 lb.022"

20 lb.017"

15 lb.015"

12 lb.013"

BUTT · 60"

TAPER · 30"

TAPER · 15"

TIPPET · 27"

Total length11' 0"

Flies1

Knots4

WaterLake or reservoir, Big river

Move across the drawing to pan. Point at a fly or a knot to see what it is; select a knot for how to tie it.Drag the drawing to pan. Tap a fly for what it does, a knot for how to tie it.

Build your leader

11' 0" of line · 4 pieces · Butt to tip

Butt 60" · 30 lb30" · 20 lb15" · 15 lb27" · 12 lb

Butt 30 lb2312 lb

Section	Length	Diameter and size	Material	Connection
01Butt	60"	30 lb · .022"	Mono	Fly line loop
02Mid	30"	20 lb · .017"	Mono	Triple surgeon's knot
03Step-down	15"	15 lb · .015"	Mono	Triple surgeon's knot
04Tippet	27"	12 lb · .013"	Mono	Triple surgeon's knot

Tie it

0 of 4 done

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

How to tie it

Build the tapered leader
Join the 60" butt to the 30" mid with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 15" of 15 lb with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 27" of 12 lb with a triple surgeon's knot.
Tie a triple surgeon's knot
Tie on the fly
Tie the fly to the 27" 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 7 to 9 wt with a floating line. Cast ahead of cruising fish or to likely cover, let the fly sink to the depth the fish are holding, then strip it back in pulls that match the fly. Set with a strip of the line rather than lifting the rod. Check the 12 lb tippet for nicks after every fish.

Pull each section tight between your hands before the first cast; a coiled 30 lb butt will not turn over cleanly.

Common questions

What does half-again mean?
Each section is half the length of the one before it: 60 inches, then 30, then 15. The tippet at the end is longer, 27 inches here, so the fly lands softly.
Can the tippet be heavier or lighter?
Yes. Keep the butt sections and swap the 27 inch tippet for the strength the fish and cover call for, stepping no more than one size from the 15 lb section above it.
What rod suits it?
A 7 to 9 wt. The 30 lb butt is stiff enough to turn over weighted and bulky flies on those rods.
Which knots join it?
Triple surgeon's knots join the sections, and an improved clinch knot ties on the fly.

Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass Carp Streamer Lake Big river

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