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Streamer · Rainbow Trout

6-Foot Streamer Leader for Floating Lines

A 6-foot (72 inch) streamer leader for floating lines. It runs 36 inches of 25 lb mono (.021"), 24 inches of 16 lb mono (.016") and 12 inches of 10 lb fluorocarbon tippet (.011"). The heavy butt and short length turn over weighted and bulky streamers with control, and the fluoro tip is tough against teeth, rocks and wood.

BBy BarblessOctober 15, 2026

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25 lb.021"
16 lb.016"
10 lb0X.011"
BUTT · 36"
TAPER · 24"
TIPPET · 12"
Total length6' 0"
Flies1
Knots3
WaterFreestone river, Big river, Tailwater

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

Build your leader

6' 0" of line · 3 pieces · Butt to tip

Butt 25 lb210 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 36" butt section to the 24" transition section with a blood knot. Add 12" of 10 lb with a triple surgeon's knot.

    Tie a blood knotTie a triple surgeon's knot

  2. Tie on the fly

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

    Tie an improved clinch knot

The knots

  • Blood knot · 5 turns×1
    1. Overlap the two ends by about six inches.
    2. Wrap one tag end around the other line five times, then bring it back and pass it between the two lines where they cross.
    3. Wrap the other tag end five times the opposite way and pass it back through the same opening from the other side.
    4. Wet the knot and pull the two standing lines steadily until the wraps seat. Trim both tags close.
    The blood knot, step by step
  • 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

Use it from the bank or a drift boat to pound streamers tight to banks, logjams and drop-offs. Cast close to cover, let the fly sink for a moment, then strip it back with varied strips and pauses. Most takes come on the pause or right after the fly lands. Keep the rod tip low and strip-set rather than lifting.

If the fly is riding too high, let it sink longer before the first strip or switch to a weighted fly. A floating line will not pull it down, so the fly and the count do the work.

Common questions

  • Why is a streamer leader so short?

    A short, stout leader turns over heavy and wind-resistant streamers and keeps them under control. Trout chasing a streamer rarely notice a 72 inch leader.

  • Why fluorocarbon at the tip?

    The 10 lb fluoro sinks, resists abrasion from rocks, wood and teeth, and is less visible than mono.

  • How long does the tippet last?

    Each fly change eats into the 12 inch tippet. When it gets short, tie on a fresh 12 inches of 10 lb fluoro with a triple surgeon's knot rather than tying the fly to the 16 lb.

  • Which knots does it use?

    A blood knot joins the 25 lb butt to the 16 lb transition, a triple surgeon's knot joins the 10 lb fluoro, and an improved clinch knot ties on the fly.

Rainbow TroutBrown TroutCutthroat TroutSmallmouth BassStreamerFreestoneBig riverTailwater

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