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Steelhead and spey · Chinook Salmon

5.5-Foot Short Shock Tippet Leader, .016"

A 5.5-foot steelhead leader with a heavy point: 28" of .026" mono joined with a double uni knot to 38" of .016" mono. Built for sink tips and Skagit heads on 7-9 wt rods, it keeps the fly near the depth of the tip and the thick point shrugs off rocks, wood and hard takes.

BBy BarblessOctober 15, 2026

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.026"
.016"
BUTT · 28"
TIPPET · 38"
Total length5' 6"
Rod7-9 wt
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

5' 6" of line · 2 pieces · Butt to tip

Butt .026".016"

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 28" butt to the 38" tippet with a double uni knot.

    Tie a double uni knot

  2. Tie on the fly

    Tie the fly to the 38" tippet with an improved clinch knot.

    Tie an improved clinch knot

The knots

  • Double uni knot · 5 turns×1
    1. Overlap the two lines by about six inches.
    2. With one tag, form a loop over both lines and wrap through it around both lines five times. Snug it.
    3. Repeat with the other tag, wrapping the other way.
    4. Pull the two standing lines to slide the knots together. Trim both tags.
    The double uni 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. Swing the fly across the current on a tight line with the rod tip pointed at it, stepping downstream between casts. When a fish takes, wait for the line to come tight before lifting.

Tie the double uni knot with more turns on the .016" side than on the .026" side, wet it, and pull both ends evenly so it seats.

Common questions

  • Why such a heavy point?

    The .016" mono resists abrasion on rocks and wood and holds big, hot fish in heavy water, where a fine tippet would break.

  • Why a double uni knot?

    It joins lines of very different diameter, like .026" and .016", more reliably than a blood knot.

  • Can I use it on a floating line?

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

  • What rod does it suit?

    A 7-9 wt single-hand, switch or spey rod casting a sink tip.

Chinook SalmonSteelheadSteelheadStreamerBig river

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