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Streamer · Rainbow Trout

5-Foot Tapered Leader for Sink-Tip Lines

A 5-foot leader for sink-tip lines: 36" of 20 lb fluorocarbon joined with a triple surgeon's knot to 24" of 10 lb fluorocarbon. Short and dense, it keeps a streamer near the depth of the tip, with a little more distance from the line than a 4-foot leader for clearer water.

BBy BarblessOctober 15, 2026

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20 lb.016"
10 lb1X.010"
BUTT · 36"
TIPPET · 24"
Total length5' 0"
Flies1
Knots2
WaterBig river, Freestone river, Tailwater

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 20 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 36" butt Section to the 24" tippet Section with a triple surgeon's knot.

    Tie a triple surgeon's knot

  2. Tie on the fly

    Tie the fly to the 24" tippet Section 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 sink tip, cast across or down and across, and give the tip a few seconds to sink. Then strip the streamer back or let it swing across the current on a tight line. Vary the count and the retrieve until fish show where they are holding.

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 5 feet instead of 4?

    The longer 20 lb butt adds turnover and puts a little more distance between the line and the fly, which helps in clear water.

  • Why fluorocarbon?

    It is denser than nylon, so it sinks with the tip, and it stands up to abrasion near rocks and wood.

  • Will the fly ride up?

    A little more than on a 4-foot leader. Use a weighted streamer, or cut the butt back, if it rides too high.

Rainbow TroutBrown TroutCutthroat TroutStreamerBig riverFreestoneTailwater

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