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Indicator · Rainbow Trout

15.5-Foot Indicator Nymphing Leader, 5X

A 15.5-foot stillwater indicator rig for hanging a small chironomid near the bottom of a clear lake. An 18" butt of 20 lb Seaguar Blue Label leads into 120" of 10 lb (2X, .009") Blue Label, a #12 barrel swivel and 48" of 5X (.006") fluorocarbon to a size 16 tungsten-bead chironomid. A 7/8" release indicator rides near the top, and a No. 4 split shot sits just above the swivel.

BBy BarblessOctober 15, 2026

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20 lb.016"
Seaguar Blue Label
10 lb2X.009"
Seaguar Blue Label
~4.5 lb5X.006"
BUTT · 18"
TAPER · 10 FT
TIPPET · 48"
Total length15' 6"
Rod5-6 wt
Flies1
Knots2
SeasonMost of the year
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

15' 6" of line · 3 pieces · Butt to tip

Butt 20 lb25X

Tie it

0 of 3 done

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

How to tie it

  1. Build the leader

    Join the 18" butt to the 10 ft mid with a double surgeon's knot. Add a release 7/8" onto the 10 ft mid, 13' 6" above the Tungsten-bead chironomid. Add a split shot No. 4 onto the 10 ft mid, 49" above the Tungsten-bead chironomid.

    Tie a double surgeon's knot

  2. Add the barrel swivel

    Tie the barrel swivel to the 10 ft mid. Tie 48" of 5X to its other eye.

  3. Tie on the Tungsten-bead chironomid

    Tie the Tungsten-bead chironomid to the 48" tippet with an improved clinch knot.

    Tie an improved clinch knot

The knots

  • Double surgeon's knot · 2 turns×1
    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 once more, twice in all.
    4. Wet the knot and pull all four ends evenly until it seats. Trim both tags.
    The double 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

Anchor over 10 to 15 feet of water near a drop-off or weed edge. Set the indicator so the fly hangs about a foot off the bottom, cast, and let the shot and fly sink until the indicator stands upright. Leave it still or retrieve with a very slow hand-twist. When the indicator dips, stalls or slides, lift into the fish gently: 5X breaks on a hard strike.

Find the depth first: clip a weight to the fly, lower it until it touches bottom, then set the indicator so the fly hangs a foot higher.

Common questions

  • Why is there a swivel?

    The #12 swivel joins the 10 lb fluoro to the 5X tippet, adds a little weight, and stops the No. 4 split shot from sliding down onto the fly.

  • How deep can it fish?

    With the indicator near the top of the 120" section, the fly hangs about 13 feet down. Slide the indicator down for shallower water.

  • Why a release indicator?

    When a fish is on, it slides down the leader so the fish can be netted without the indicator jamming in the rod tip.

  • When should I use the 4X version?

    For bigger chironomids, wind chop, weedy water and bigger trout. The 5X earns its place on calm, clear days with small flies.

Rainbow TroutBrown TroutCutthroat TroutTiger TroutMidgeIndicatorNymphStillwaterLake

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