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Steelhead and spey · Steelhead

4-Foot Winter Steelhead Leader, 12 lb

A 4-foot winter steelhead leader for sink tips, all in Maxima Ultra Green: 20" of 30 lb (.022"), 10" of 20 lb (.017") and 18" of 12 lb (.013"), joined with triple surgeon's knots. Short and stout, it turns over big weighted winter flies and keeps them near the depth of the tip.

BBy BarblessOctober 15, 2026

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30 lb.022"
Maxima UG
20 lb.017"
Maxima UG
12 lb.013"
Maxima UG
BUTT · 20"
TAPER · 10"
TIPPET · 18"
Total length4' 0"
Flies1
Knots3
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 · 3 pieces · Butt to tip

Butt 30 lb212 lb

Tie it

0 of 3 done

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

How to tie it

  1. Build the tapered leader

    Join the 20" butt to the 10" mid with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 18" of 12 lb with a triple surgeon's knot.

    Tie a triple surgeon's knot

  2. Tie on the fly

    Tie the fly to the 18" tippet with an improved clinch knot.

    Tie an improved clinch knot

The knots

  • Triple surgeon's knot · 3 turns×2
    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 the butt to the sink tip, cast across or down and across, and mend once to let the tip sink. Let the fly swing slowly across the current on a tight line, mending upstream to slow it in cold water. Step downstream between casts. When a fish takes, wait for the line to come tight before lifting.

If the fly hangs bottom on every swing, go to a lighter tip or cast more downstream before shortening the leader.

Common questions

  • Why only 4 feet?

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

  • Why step through 20 lb?

    The 10" of 20 lb bridges the stiff 30 lb butt to the 12 lb point, so each triple surgeon's knot joins pieces close in size.

  • Is 12 lb enough for winter steelhead?

    For most rivers, yes. Maxima Ultra Green is abrasion resistant, and the heavier butt takes the wear near the tip.

  • When do I replace the point?

    When it shows nicks or has been cut back to under about a foot. Tie on a fresh 18" of 12 lb.

SteelheadSteelheadStreamerBig river

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