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Stillwater · Tiger Trout

6.5-Foot Stillwater Leader for Sinking Lines

A 6.5-foot (77 inch) stillwater leader for sinking and intermediate lines on a 4-6 wt. It steps from 29 inches of 0X through 20 inches of 1X and 16 inches of 2X to 12 inches of 3X, a short, gentle taper that sinks with the line. The fly fishes at the depth the line sets, which is the point of a sinking line.

BBy BarblessOctober 15, 2026

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~13 lb0X.011"
~11.5 lb1X.010"
~9.5 lb2X.009"
~8 lb3X.008"
BUTT · 29"
TAPER · 20"
TAPER · 16"
TIPPET · 12"
Total length6' 5"
Rod4-6 wt
Flies1
Knots4
WaterLake or reservoir

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

Build your leader

6' 5" of line · 4 pieces · Butt to tip

Butt 0X233X

Tie it

0 of 4 done

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

How to tie it

  1. Build the tapered leader

    Join the 29" butt to the 20" mid with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 16" of 2X with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 12" of 3X with a triple surgeon's knot.

    Tie a triple surgeon's knot

  2. Tie on the fly

    Tie the fly to the 12" tippet with an improved clinch knot.

    Tie an improved clinch knot

The knots

  • Triple surgeon's knot · 3 turns×3
    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

Cast, then count the line down to where fish are feeding: just over the weed tops, along a drop-off or near the bottom. Retrieve slowly with a hand twist or short strips and pauses, and change speed until fish respond. Takes are often a steady pull, so keep the rod tip low and strip-set.

Count every cast down and note the number that gets bites. When the fly picks up weed, take a few seconds off the count.

Common questions

  • Why is a sinking line leader so short?

    A long leader lets the fly ride up above the line. At 77 inches, the fly stays close to the line and fishes at the depth you counted down to.

  • What flies suit it?

    Leeches, small streamers, nymphs and chironomids for lake trout. The 3X tip handles most stillwater flies on a 4-6 wt.

  • Can I use fluorocarbon instead of mono?

    Yes. The build is mono, but tying the same lengths and diameters in fluorocarbon sinks a little faster and is tougher in weed.

  • Will it work on a floating line?

    It will cast, but a floating line and short leader keep the fly shallow. It is built for intermediate and full-sink lines.

Tiger TroutBrown TroutRainbow TroutCutthroat TroutStillwaterNymphLake

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