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Dry dropper · Rainbow Trout

Dry-Dropper Rig on a 9- to 12-Foot Leader

A dry-dropper on a 9 foot tapered mono leader. It steps from 36 inches of .017" through .015", .013", 0X and 2X to 24 inches of 4X tippet tied to a size 10 to 14 foam or parachute dry. Off the dry's hook bend, 18 inches of 5X fluorocarbon hangs a size 16 to 22 bead-head nymph, so the whole rig runs about 10 and a half feet.

BBy BarblessOctober 15, 2026

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.017"
.015"
.013"
~13 lb0X.011"
~9.5 lb2X.009"
~6.5 lb4X.007"
~4.5 lb5X.006"
BUTT · 36"
TAPER · 16"
TAPER · 12"
TAPER · 10"
TAPER · 10"
TIPPET · 24"
DROPPER · 18"
Total length10' 6"
Flies2
Knots8
WaterFreestone river, Small stream, Tailwater

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

Build your leader

10' 6" of line · 7 pieces · Butt to tip

Butt .017"23454X5X

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 36" butt to the 16" mid with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 12" of .013" with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 10" of 0X with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 10" of 2X with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 24" of 4X with a triple surgeon's knot.

    Tie a triple surgeon's knot

  2. Tie on the foam or parachute

    Tie the foam or parachute to the 24" tippet with an improved clinch knot. Tie 18" of 5X to its hook bend with a clinch knot.

    Tie an improved clinch knotTie a clinch knot

  3. Tie on the Bead-head Pheasant Tail

    Tie the Bead-head Pheasant Tail to the 18" dropper with an improved clinch knot.

    Tie an improved clinch knot

The knots

  • Triple surgeon's knot · 3 turns×5
    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×2
    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
  • 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.
    4. Wet it and pull the standing line to tighten. Trim the tag.
    The clinch knot, step by step

When and how to fish it

Fish it in riffles, runs and along banks where trout feed both at the surface and just below. Cast upstream or up and across with an open loop, mend to keep the dry drifting drag free, and watch it. Set if it dips, stalls or a fish eats it. The nymph rides just under the dry, covering the top of the water column on every drift.

If the dry keeps sinking, the nymph is too heavy for it. Go to a bigger foam dry or a lighter nymph before you add floatant.

Common questions

  • How long should the dropper be?

    The build uses 18 inches of 5X fluorocarbon. Go longer in deeper runs and shorter in skinny water so the nymph rides near the fish.

  • Why tie the dropper off the hook bend?

    It is quick to rig, keeps the dry's eye free to float, and the nymph trails straight behind the dry, so a take shows right away.

  • Why 5X fluorocarbon for the dropper and 4X for the dry?

    The 4X tippet turns over the bulky dry and carries both flies. The finer 5X fluorocarbon sinks and is harder to see, which helps the small nymph.

  • What dry should I use?

    A size 10 to 14 foam pattern or parachute that floats high enough to hold up the nymph. Use foam for heavier nymphs.

Rainbow TroutBrown TroutCutthroat TroutDry dropperFreestoneSmall streamTailwater

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