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Nymph · Carp

16-Foot Flats Carp Leader

A 16-foot all-fluorocarbon leader for sight-fishing carp on shallow flats. It steps down from 24" of 40 lb (.023") through 12" of 30 lb (.020"), 36" each of 20 lb (.016"), 15 lb (.014") and 10 lb (.011"), to 48" of 8 lb tippet (.010"). The length keeps the fly line well away from wary fish, and the fluoro sinks a size 8 weighted carp fly quickly to the bottom.

BBy BarblessOctober 15, 2026

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40 lb.023"
30 lb.020"
20 lb.016"
15 lb.014"
10 lb0X.011"
8 lb1X.010"
BUTT · 24"
TAPER · 12"
TAPER · 36"
TAPER · 36"
TAPER · 36"
TIPPET · 48"
Total length16' 0"
Rod6-8 wt
Flies1
Knots6
WaterLake or reservoir, Big river

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

Build your leader

16' 0" of line · 6 pieces · Butt to tip

Butt 40 lb23458 lb

Tie it

0 of 6 done

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

How to tie it

  1. Build the tapered leader

    Join the 24" 40lb to the 12" 30lb with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 36" of 20 lb with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 36" of 15 lb with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 36" of 10 lb with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 48" of 8 lb with a triple surgeon's knot.

    Tie a triple surgeon's knot

  2. Tie on the Weighted carp fly

    Tie the Weighted carp fly to the 48" 8lb with an improved clinch knot.

    Tie an improved clinch knot

The knots

  • 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

Fish bright days on a 6-8 wt floating line. Find a carp feeding head-down, cast so the fly lands a few feet ahead and beyond it, then strip it into the fish's path and let it fall to the bottom. Watch the fish for the take: a tip down, a stop or a flare of the gills. Strip-set firmly, then keep the rod low and steer it away from weeds.

If the fish spook as the fly lands, cast farther ahead and drag the fly into position, or switch to a lighter fly that enters the water quietly.

Common questions

  • Why such a long leader for carp?

    Carp on shallow flats spook at line splash and shadow. 16 feet of fluoro keeps the fly line far from the fish.

  • Why all fluorocarbon?

    Fluoro sinks and is hard to see, so a weighted fly gets to the bottom fast and the leader does not lift it off the mud. It also stands up better to abrasion.

  • How do I see the take?

    Watch the fish, not the line. A carp that tips down, stops or flares its gills over the fly has likely eaten it.

  • What tippet strength works?

    The 8 lb tip suits clear flats. Step up to 10 lb around weeds, wood or rocks.

CarpNymphLakeBig river

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