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Streamer · Rainbow Trout

5-Foot Sinking Line Trout Streamer Leader

A 5-foot trout streamer leader for full sinking lines: 24" of 0X fluorocarbon at .011" joined with a triple surgeon's knot to 36" of 2X fluorocarbon at .009". Short and dense, it keeps a streamer down near the depth of the line for trout holding deep in lakes, pools and big runs.

BBy BarblessOctober 15, 2026

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~13 lb0X.011"
~9.5 lb2X.009"
BUTT · 24"
TIPPET · 36"
Total length5' 0"
Flies1
Knots2
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

60" of line · 2 pieces · Butt to tip

Butt 0X2X

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 24" butt to the 36" tippet with a triple surgeon's knot.

    Tie a triple surgeon's knot

  2. Tie on the fly

    Tie the fly to the 36" 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 the butt to the sinking line, cast, and count the line down to the depth you want to fish. Strip the streamer back with pulls of varied speed and length, pausing now and then to let it drop. Change the count until you find fish, then repeat it.

Wet the fluorocarbon and pull the triple surgeon's knot down slowly. Cinched dry, stiff fluorocarbon kinks and breaks at the knot.

Common questions

  • Why so short on a sinking line?

    A long leader lets the fly ride up above the line. At 5 feet the streamer stays close to the depth the line reaches.

  • Why 2X?

    At .009", 2X turns over weighted trout streamers and stands up to hard strikes, while still being thin enough for clear water.

  • Why fluorocarbon?

    It is denser than nylon, so the leader sinks with the line, and it resists abrasion near rocks and weed.

  • Can I go lighter or heavier?

    Step to 3X for small streamers in very clear water, or to 1X for big articulated flies.

Rainbow TroutBrown TroutCutthroat TroutStreamerStillwaterLakeBig river

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