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Indicator · Rainbow Trout

13-Foot Simple Indicator Nymphing Leader

A simple indicator nymphing leader, 12' 11" long, for a 5-6 wt line. It starts with a 22" butt of .012" mono and 79" of 0X mono, then steps down through 20" of 3X fluorocarbon to 22" of 5X fluorocarbon. Below that is a 2 mm tippet ring and a final 12" of 5X to the fly. A 1/2" trapped-air indicator rides on the 0X, and a BB split shot sits just above the ring to get the nymph down.

BBy BarblessOctober 14, 2026

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.012"
~13 lb0X.011"
~8 lb3X.008"
~4.5 lb5X.006"
~4.5 lb5X.006"
BUTT · 22"
TAPER · 6.6 FT
TAPER · 20"
TAPER · 22"
TIPPET · 12"
Total length12' 11"
Rod5-6 wt
Flies1
Knots6
WaterFreestone river, Tailwater, Big river

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

Build your leader

12' 11" of line · 5 pieces · Butt to tip

Butt .012"2345X

Tie it

0 of 5 done

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

How to tie it

  1. Build the tapered leader

    Join the 22" butt to the 6.6 ft mid with a triple surgeon's knot. Add a trapped-air (Thinga) 1/2" onto the 6.6 ft mid, 8' 0" above the fly. Add 20" of 3X with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 22" of 5X with a triple surgeon's knot. Add a split shot BB onto the 22" mid, 13" above the fly.

    Tie a triple surgeon's knot

  2. Add the tippet ring - light

    Tie the tippet ring - light to the 22" mid with an improved clinch knot. Tie 12" of 5X to its other eye with an improved clinch knot.

    Tie an improved clinch knot

  3. Tie on the fly

    Tie the fly to the 12" 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×3
    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

Cast the indicator upstream or across, then mend so it floats at current speed with the nymph drifting below it. Set the hook on any pause, dip or twitch of the indicator. The indicator starts 96" above the fly, which suits water about 4 to 5 feet deep. Slide it to roughly 1.5 to 2 times the depth for other water. Open your casting loop a little so the shot and indicator don't tangle.

If the fly isn't reaching bottom, add one more BB shot above the tippet ring before you move the indicator. Most short drifts come from too little weight, not a shallow indicator.

Common questions

  • Why is there a tippet ring above the fly?

    The BB shot pinches on just above the ring, so it stays 12" above the fly and can't slide down onto it. The ring also lets you replace the short 5X piece to the fly without cutting into the rest of the leader.

  • Where should I set the indicator?

    About 1.5 to 2 times the water depth above the fly. It starts 96" above the fly. Slide it up the 0X section for deeper runs or down for shallow riffles.

  • How do I know if I have enough weight?

    The fly should touch bottom now and then. If the indicator races ahead of surface bubbles or you never feel bottom, add a second shot above the ring. If you snag on every drift, take weight off or set the indicator lower.

  • What flies suit the 5X tippet?

    Small to mid-size nymphs and emergers. For big stoneflies or heavy beadheads, go up to 4X or 3X below the ring.

  • Why fluorocarbon at the tip?

    Fluorocarbon sinks faster than mono and resists abrasion along the bottom, which helps a nymph get down and stay there.

Rainbow TroutBrown TroutCutthroat TroutIndicatorNymphFreestoneTailwaterBig river

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