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Streamer · Steelhead

9-Foot Heavy Steelhead Streamer Leader

A 9-foot-4-inch (112 inch) tapered steelhead leader for 8 to 10-weight rods and floating lines, built to turn over weighted streamers and swung flies. Seven Maxima sections step from a 28 inch, 40 lb (.024") butt through short middle pieces to 30 inches of 10 lb (.012") Maxima Ultragreen tippet, joined with blood knots and a triple surgeon's knot. It is a workhorse for swinging and stripping streamers in steelhead runs.

BBy BarblessOctober 14, 2026

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40 lb.024"
Maxima Clear
30 lb.022"
Maxima Clear
25 lb.020"
Maxima Clear
20 lb.017"
Maxima Clear
15 lb.015"
Maxima Clear
12 lb.013"
Maxima Ultragreen
10 lb.012"
Maxima Ultragreen
BUTT · 28"
BUTT · 22"
TAPER · 8"
TAPER · 8"
TAPER · 8"
TAPER · 8"
TIPPET · 30"
Total length9' 4"
Rod8-10 wt
Flies1
Knots7
WaterBig river, Freestone river

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

Build your leader

9' 4" of line · 7 pieces · Butt to tip

Butt 40 lb2345610 lb

Tie it

0 of 7 done

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

How to tie it

  1. Build the tapered leader

    Join the 28" butt to the 22" butt with a blood knot. Add 8" of 25 lb with a blood knot. Add 8" of 20 lb with a blood knot. Add 8" of 15 lb with a blood knot. Add 8" of 12 lb with a blood knot. Add 30" 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 30" tippet with an improved clinch knot.

    Tie an improved clinch knot

The knots

  • Blood knot · 5 turns×5
    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

Cast down and across, throw an upstream mend to slow the fly and let it sink, then swing it on a tight line through runs, tailouts and slots where steelhead hold. In softer water, strip the fly back with pauses. Slow the swing in cold water and step downstream between casts. When a fish takes on the swing, let the line come tight before lifting.

With heavy flies, open the loop, slow the stroke and let the backcast straighten before coming forward; a tight loop is what makes a weighted fly foul the line. If the fly still collapses, shorten the 30 inch 10 lb tippet a few inches.

Common questions

  • What size streamers does this leader handle?

    The 40 lb butt and 10 lb tippet turn over typical weighted steelhead streamers and swing flies on an 8 to 10-weight rod. With the heaviest flies, open the loop and slow the cast.

  • Does it work on a floating line?

    Yes, it is built for one. A floating line keeps a weighted fly fairly shallow, so mend upstream and give the fly time to sink before it swings.

  • When do I replace the tippet?

    Replace the 30 inches of 10 lb Ultragreen when it frays, shows nicks or has been cut back under about 24 inches. The rest of the taper lasts many trips.

  • Why so many short middle sections?

    The steps from 25 lb down to 12 lb are 8 inches each, so the diameter drops evenly and the cast carries through to a heavy fly. Avoid retying those knots or the sections get too short.

SteelheadStreamerSteelheadBig riverFreestone

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