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Steelhead and spey · Steelhead

4-Foot Sink-Tip Steelhead Leader, 10 lb

A 4-foot steelhead leader for sink tips: 12" of 15 lb Maxima joined with a triple surgeon's knot to 36" of 10 lb Maxima. It is short and stout so the sink tip sets the depth and the fly stays down in the swing.

BBy BarblessOctober 15, 2026

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15 lb.015"
Maxima
10 lb.012"
Maxima
BUTT · 12"
TIPPET · 36"
Total length4' 0"
Flies1
Knots2
WaterBig river

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

Build your leader

48" of line · 2 pieces · Butt to tip

Butt 15 lb10 lb

Tie it

0 of 2 done

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

How to tie it

  1. Build the leader

    Join the 12" butt section to the 36" leader tippet with a triple surgeon's knot.

    Tie a triple surgeon's knot

  2. Tie on the fly

    Tie the fly to the 36" leader tippet with an improved clinch knot.

    Tie an improved clinch knot

The knots

  • Triple surgeon's knot · 3 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 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

Loop it to the sink tip, cast across or down and across, and throw one upstream mend to let the tip sink. Then let the fly swing across the current on a tight line, rod tip pointed at the fly. Take a step or two downstream between casts to cover the run. When a fish takes, let the line come tight before lifting the rod.

If the fly snags bottom on every swing, go to a lighter tip before shortening the leader.

Common questions

  • Why only 4 feet?

    On a sink tip, a long leader lets the fly ride up above the tip. At 4 feet the fly fishes near the depth the tip reaches.

  • Is 10 lb enough for steelhead?

    Yes, for most rivers. Maxima at 10 lb is tough and abrasion resistant, and the 15 lb butt takes the wear near the tip.

  • Can I use it on a floating line?

    It is built for sink tips. On a floating line, a swung fly fishes better on a longer tapered leader.

  • What knot ties the fly on?

    An improved clinch knot, which holds well in 10 lb Maxima.

SteelheadSteelheadStreamerBig river

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