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Nymph · Rainbow Trout

Bergman 8-Foot Nymph Leader

Ray Bergman's 8 foot nymph leader. Six 16 inch sections of mono taper from .017" at the butt to .006" (5X) at the tip, with blood knots in the butt and triple surgeon's knots through the 0X, 2X and 5X pieces. It is a short, controllable leader for one nymph on a 3 to 5 weight rod. There is also a 4X variation; see the questions below.

BBy BarblessOctober 14, 2026

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.017"
.015"
.013"
~13 lb0X.011"
~9.5 lb2X.009"
~4.5 lb5X.006"
BUTT · 16"
TAPER · 16"
TAPER · 16"
TAPER · 16"
TAPER · 16"
TIPPET · 16"
Total length8' 0"
Rod3-5 wt
Flies1
Knots6
WaterSmall stream, Freestone river

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

Build your leader

8' 0" of line · 6 pieces · Butt to tip

Butt .017"23455X

Tie it

0 of 6 done

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

How to tie it

  1. Build the tapered leader

    Join the 16" butt to the 16" mid with a blood knot. Add 16" of .013" with a blood knot. Add 16" of 0X with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 16" of 2X with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 16" of 5X 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 16" tippet with an improved clinch knot.

    Tie an improved clinch knot

The knots

  • Blood knot · 5 turns×2
    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×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

Fish it on small and medium streams with a short line. Cast the nymph upstream and across, mend once so it sinks, and lead it down with the rod tip. Watch the leader where it enters the water and the tip of the fly line, and set on any pause, twitch or draw. Use a beaded nymph when you need the fly near the bottom.

If takes are hard to see, shorten the cast. A short line keeps the leader straight to the fly, so the stop shows up at the leader the moment a fish eats.

Common questions

  • Which tippet should I use?

    The build is the same either way up to the tippet, 16" of .006" (5X) or .007" (4X). Go heavier for bigger flies and stronger fish.

  • Do I need an indicator with this leader?

    No. This is a short nymph leader fished on a tight, short line, and the take shows at the leader and the fly line tip.

  • Can I use a heavier fly?

    A beaded nymph turns over fine. A very heavy fly will hinge the .006" tip, so use the 4X tippet or shorten it a few inches.

  • How do I know when to replace the tip?

    When the .006" section is rough, frayed or short enough that the fly sits near the 2X knot, replace the 16 inch piece.

Rainbow TroutBrown TroutCutthroat TroutBrook TroutNymphSmall streamFreestone

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