Sign in

Streamer · Rainbow Trout

9-Foot Streamer Leader for Floating Lines

A 9-foot (108 inch) streamer leader for floating lines. It runs 48 inches of 25 lb mono (.021"), 36 inches of 16 lb mono (.016") and 24 inches of 10 lb fluorocarbon tippet (.011"). The extra length keeps the fly line away from wary fish in clear or slow water, and the stout butt still turns over a streamer.

BBy BarblessOctober 15, 2026

LikeSave
Clone and edit
25 lb.021"
16 lb.016"
10 lb0X.011"
BUTT · 48"
TAPER · 36"
TIPPET · 24"
Total length9' 0"
Flies1
Knots3
WaterTailwater, Spring creek, Lake or reservoir

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

Build your leader

9' 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 48" butt section to the 36" transition section with a blood knot. Add 24" 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 24" 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 where fish are wary: clear rivers, slow pools, flats and lakes. Cast to cover or across the current, let the fly sink, then strip it back with varied strips and pauses, or let it swing across the current. Keep the rod tip low and strip-set on the take.

If the fly collapses short on the cast, open the loop and slow down. With a very heavy or bulky fly, cutting the tippet back helps it turn over.

Common questions

  • Why 9 feet for a streamer leader?

    In clear or slow water, the extra length keeps the fly line farther from the fish. The 108 inch leader also gives the fly more time to sink on a floating line.

  • Will it turn over a big fly?

    The 25 lb butt turns over most streamers. With very heavy or bulky flies, or into wind, open the loop and slow the stroke, and cut the tippet back if the fly still piles up.

  • Why fluorocarbon at the tip?

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

  • 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 TroutStreamerTailwaterSpring creekLake

More streamer rigs

Explore all

  • Tarpon Leader with a 30 lb Bite Tippet

    A 10-foot tarpon leader for an 8-10 wt rod, aimed at juvenile and mid-size fish. The butt steps down from 42" of 40 lb mono (.024") through 30" of 30 lb (.021") and 18" of 20 lb (.017") to an 18" class tippet of 15 lb mono (.015"). Last comes a 12" bite tippet of 30 lb fluorocarbon (.020") to stand up to a tarpon's rough mouth, with a 1/0 Tarpon Toad on a non-slip loop knot.

    Total length10' 0"
    TechniqueStreamer
    Knots5
    Time to tie4.5min
    BBy Barbless

  • DIY Saltwater Fly Leader

    A simple all-fluorocarbon saltwater leader for 7 to 9 weight rods. It steps down from 36 inches of 40 lb (.026") to 12 inches of 30 lb (.022"), 24 inches of 20 lb (.018") and 24 inches of 15 lb (.016"), joined with triple surgeon's knots, for 8 feet in all. The fly is tied on with a non-slip loop knot so it swims freely.

    Total length8' 0"
    TechniqueStreamer
    Knots4
    Time to tie2.25min
    BBy Barbless

  • Crossover Mono Rig for Streamers and Nymphs

    A mono rig that switches between streamers and nymphs without rebuilding the leader. It runs 288 inches of 20 lb Maxima Chameleon, 24 inches of 12 lb Maxima HV, then a sighter of 12 inches of red mono (Amnesia or Sufix Neon Fire) and 12 inches of Umpqua Sighter with a backing barrel marker. A 4 mm tippet ring holds 14 inches of RIO Two Tone and 36 inches of 3X fluorocarbon to the fly.

    Total length32' 2"
    TechniqueStreamer
    Knots5
    Time to tie2.5min
    BBy Barbless

More from Barbless

  • Standard Indicator Nymphing Rig, 4X

    A 10' 8" indicator nymphing leader on Maxima Chameleon. The butt steps from .017" to .010", then 18" of .009" runs to a 4 mm heavy tippet ring, with 24" of 3X and 24" of 4X fluorocarbon below it. A 3/4" trapped-air indicator, one No. 4 split shot and a #16 Tungsten Bead Pheasant Tail make it a ready-to-fish indicator rig for riffles and runs.

    Total length10' 8"
    TechniqueIndicator
    Knots6
    Time to tie4min
    BBy Barbless

  • Tight-Line Nymphing Mono Rig, 5X

    A tight-line mono rig for euro nymphing with a 5X point. It runs 288" of 20 lb Maxima Chameleon (.017"), 24" of 12 lb Maxima HV, a 12" red sighter section and 12" of Umpqua Sighter (.009") with a backing barrel marker, then a 4 mm tippet ring. Below the ring, 14" of RIO Two Tone, 36" of 4X and 20" of 5X fluorocarbon lead to a #16 tungsten Pheasant Tail. No indicator or split shot: the fly carries the weight.

    Total length33' 10"
    TechniqueEuro
    Knots6
    Time to tie3.5min
    BBy Barbless

  • Tight-Line Dry-Dropper Mono Rig, 5X

    A tight-line mono rig that fishes a dry and a nymph together. It runs 288" of 20 lb Maxima Chameleon (.017"), 24" of 12 lb Maxima HV, a 12" red sighter section and 12" of Umpqua Sighter (.009") carrying a backing barrel marker, then a 4 mm tippet ring. A 6" tag of 3X mono off the ring holds a #12 Stimulator; below the ring, 14" of RIO Two Tone, 24" of 4X and 24" of 5X fluorocarbon lead to a #16 tungsten Pheasant Tail.

    Total length33' 2"
    TechniqueDry dropper
    Knots8
    Time to tie4min
    BBy Barbless
All rigs by Barbless