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Dry fly · Brown Trout

Gary Borger 15-Foot Stout Dry Fly Leader

A 15-foot dry fly leader with a long, heavy butt: 84" of .017", 12" of .012", 36" of 2X, 36" of 4X and 12" of 5X. The stout butt carries the cast and turns over larger dries in wind, while the long finer sections still let the fly land softly. It is built for 3-5 wt rods on bigger water. There's also a 6X variation; see the questions below.

BBy BarblessOctober 14, 2026

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.017"
.012"
~9.5 lb2X.009"
~6.5 lb4X.007"
~4.5 lb5X.006"
BUTT · 7 FT
TAPER · 12"
TAPER · 36"
TAPER · 36"
TIPPET · 12"
Total length15' 0"
Rod3-5 wt
Flies1
Knots5
WaterBig river, Freestone river, Tailwater

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

Build your leader

15' 0" of line · 5 pieces · Butt to tip

Butt .017"2345X

Tie it

0 of 5 done

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

How to tie it

  1. Build the tapered leader

    Join the 7 ft butt to the 12" mid with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 36" of 2X with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 36" of 4X with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 12" of 5X with a triple surgeon's knot.

    Tie a triple surgeon's knot

  2. Tie on the fly

    Tie the fly to the 12" tippet with an improved clinch knot.

    Tie an improved clinch knot

The knots

  • Triple surgeon's knot · 3 turns×4
    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 upstream or up and across and let the fly drift with no drag. Keep slack out of the line on the water but let the tippet land with a little S in it. Use it on medium and larger rivers, in wind, or with flies too bulky for a long fine leader. Mend early and follow the fly with the rod tip.

If the drift drags or the fly lands in a pile, check the 5X tip. When it gets short, tie on a fresh 12". Dress only the fly with floatant: a floating tippet casts a shadow next to the fly.

Common questions

  • Why is the butt so long?

    The 84" .017" butt carries the energy of the cast most of the way down the leader, so it turns over bigger dries and pushes through wind better than a leader that tapers early.

  • Is there a 6X version?

    Yes. Keep everything the same and make the 12" tip .005" (6X) instead of 5X. Go finer for smaller flies and clear, flat water.

  • What knot ties on the fly?

    An improved clinch knot. Triple surgeon's knots join the leader sections.

  • How often should I replace the 5X tip?

    Whenever it gets short from fly changes, or shows a nick or a curl. A fresh 12" keeps the leader landing as designed.

Brown TroutRainbow TroutCutthroat TroutDryBig riverFreestoneTailwater

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