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Wet fly and soft hackle · Rainbow Trout

12-Foot Upstream Spider Wet Fly Leader

A 12-foot leader for fishing soft-hackled spiders upstream on freestone rivers. A 90 inch mono taper steps down from a .017" butt to 5X at .006", then 54 inches of 6X tippet finishes it. The long, fine tip lets the spider land softly and drift naturally just under the surface, where trout take emerging insects.

BBy BarblessOctober 15, 2026

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.017"
.015"
.013"
~13 lb0X.011"
~9.5 lb2X.009"
~6.5 lb4X.007"
Leader · 10"
~4.5 lb5X.006"
~3.5 lb6X.005"
BUTT · 30"
TAPER · 16"
TAPER · 12"
TAPER · 8"
TAPER · 8"
TAPER · 6"
TAPER · 54"
Total length12' 0"
Flies1
Knots8
WaterFreestone river, Small stream

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

Build your leader

12' 0" of line · 8 pieces · Butt to tip

Butt .017"2345676X

Tie it

0 of 8 done

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

How to tie it

  1. Build the tapered leader

    Join the 30" butt to the 16" mid with a blood knot. Add 12" of .013" with a blood knot. Add 8" of 0X with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 8" of 2X with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 6" of 4X with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 10" of 5X with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 54" of 6X with a triple surgeon's knot.

    Tie a blood knotTie a triple surgeon's knot

  2. Tie on the fly

    Tie the fly to the 54" step-down with an improved clinch knot.

    Tie an improved clinch knot

The knots

  • Blood knot · 5 turns×2
    1. Overlap the two ends by about six inches.
    2. Wrap one tag end around the other line five times, then bring it back and pass it between the two lines where they cross.
    3. Wrap the other tag end five times the opposite way and pass it back through the same opening from the other side.
    4. Wet the knot and pull the two standing lines steadily until the wraps seat. Trim both tags close.
    The blood knot, step by step
  • Triple surgeon's knot · 3 turns×5
    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

Wade upstream and cast a short line up and slightly across into riffles, pocket water and the edges of runs. Let the spider drift back toward you just under the surface, lifting the rod to keep the line tight without moving the fly. Watch the leader where it enters the water and tighten at any check, twitch or flash. Fish each cast for a short drift, then pick up and cast again a step higher.

Keep the line short enough to see the leader on the water; most takes show there as a small stop or draw before you feel anything.

Common questions

  • Why fish spiders upstream?

    Casting up lets the spider drift down at the current's speed like a natural emerger, and approaching from below keeps you behind the trout.

  • Why 6X tippet?

    The .005" tippet lets a small spider sink and drift naturally, and it is strong enough to hold a wild trout on a short, tight line.

  • How do I tie it from scratch?

    Cut mono to the listing: 30 inches of .017", 16 of .015", 12 of .013", 8 of .011", 8 of .009", 6 of .007" and 10 of .006". Join them in that order, then add the 54 inches of 6X with a triple surgeon's knot.

  • How do I know when a fish takes?

    Watch the leader. A stop, a twitch or a flash under the surface is a take. Tighten by lifting the rod smoothly.

Rainbow TroutBrown TroutCutthroat TroutBrook TroutWetFreestoneSmall stream

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