Loop-to-loop
Blood
Improved blood
Albright
.030"
.024"
.015"
BUTT · 6 FT
TAPER · 48"
TIPPET · 18"
Non-slip loop
.027"
TIPPET · 12"
Total length12' 6"
Rod11-12 wt
Flies1
Knots4
WaterSaltwater flats and coast
- FlyThe tarpon fly, stripped slowly across the fish's path on a non-slip loop knot.
Build your leader
12' 6" of line · 4 pieces · Butt to tip
| Section | Length | Diameter and size | Material | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01butt section | 6 ft | .030" | Mono | Fly line loop |
| 02Mid | 48" | .024" | Mono | Blood knot |
| 03class tippet | 18" | .015" | Mono | Improved blood knot |
| 04shock or bite tippet | 12" | .027" | Fluorocarbon | Albright knot |
Tie it
0 of 4 doneThese are the finished lengths. Leave extra for tying each knot.
How to tie it
Build the tapered leader
Join the 6 ft butt section to the 48" mid with a blood knot. Add 18" of .015" with an improved blood knot. Add 12" of .027" with an Albright knot.
Tie a blood knotTie an improved blood knotTie an albright knot
Tie on the fly
Tie the fly to the 12" shock or bite tippet with a non-slip loop knot.
The knots
Blood knot · 5 turns×1
- Overlap the two ends by about six inches.
- Wrap one tag end around the other line five times, then bring it back and pass it between the two lines where they cross.
- Wrap the other tag end five times the opposite way and pass it back through the same opening from the other side.
- Wet the knot and pull the two standing lines steadily until the wraps seat. Trim both tags close.
Improved blood knot · 5 turns×1
- Double about four inches of the thinner line and overlap the doubled end with the heavier line.
- Wrap the doubled line around the heavier line five times, then bring it back and pass it between the lines where they cross.
- Wrap the heavier tag around the doubled line five times the opposite way and pass it back through the same opening from the other side.
- Wet the knot and pull both standing lines steadily until the wraps seat. Trim the tags and the doubled end.
Albright knot · 10 turns×1
- Fold the end of the heavier line back on itself to make a narrow loop a couple of inches long.
- Push the lighter line up through the loop, leaving about eight inches to work with.
- Pinch everything together and wrap the lighter line back over itself and both sides of the loop ten times, working toward the loop's closed end.
- Feed the lighter tag back out through the loop on the same side it went in.
- Wet it, pull the lighter standing line to slide the wraps snug against the loop's end, then pull all four ends tight. Trim both tags.
Non-slip loop knot · 5 turns×1
- Tie a loose overhand knot in the tippet a few inches from the end.
- Pass the tag through the hook eye and back through the overhand knot on the side it came out of.
- Wrap the tag around the standing line four to seven times, fewer for heavier line.
- Pass the tag back through the overhand knot, entering on the side it last came out of.
- 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.