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Nymph · Rainbow Trout

Gary Borger 10-Foot Dead-Drift Nymph Leader, 5X

Gary Borger's 10-foot dead-drift nymph leader, finished in 5X. It runs 51" of .020" butt, 13" of .013", 51" of 2X (.009") and a 6" tip of 5X (.006"), for 10' 1" in all. The long level 2X section lets a weighted nymph sink freely, and the finer tip suits small nymphs in clear, slow water on a 3-6 wt rod.

BBy BarblessOctober 15, 2026

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.020"
.013"
~9.5 lb2X.009"
~4.5 lb5X.006"
BUTT · 51"
TAPER · 13"
TAPER · 51"
TIPPET · 6"
Total length10' 1"
Rod3-6 wt
Flies1
Knots4
WaterFreestone river, Tailwater, Spring creek

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

Build your leader

10' 1" of line · 4 pieces · Butt to tip

Butt .020"235X

Tie it

0 of 4 done

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

How to tie it

  1. Build the tapered leader

    Join the 51" butt to the 13" mid with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 51" of 2X with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 6" of 5X with a triple surgeon's knot.

    Tie a triple surgeon's knot

  2. Tie on the Beadhead Pheasant Tail

    Tie the Beadhead Pheasant Tail to the 6" tippet with an improved clinch knot.

    Tie an improved clinch knot

The knots

  • 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

Tie on a small beadhead nymph, cast upstream or up and across, and let it sink. Lead it downstream at the speed of the current with the rod tip up and little line on the water. Watch the butt section or the fly line tip and set with a gentle lift on any pause. The fly sets the depth, so go heavier on the bead for deeper runs.

The 6" 5X tip goes fast. When it gets down to about 4", cut back to the 2X and tie on a fresh 6" of 5X with a triple surgeon's knot.

Common questions

  • When should I pick 5X over the 4X version?

    Use 5X for smaller nymphs, clear water and slow, smooth currents where fish get a good look. The rest of the leader is the same.

  • Why is the 2X section so long?

    The 51" level 2X piece sinks with the fly instead of holding it up, so the nymph gets down while the heavy butt still turns the leader over.

  • Do I need split shot?

    This build carries none. A beadhead or other weighted nymph does the sinking.

  • Isn't a 6" tippet short?

    It is, and it shortens with every fly change. Replace it when it gets down to about 4".

Rainbow TroutBrown TroutCutthroat TroutNymphFreestoneTailwaterSpring creek

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