On an active retrieve, a short leader keeps the fly directly connected to the line. A long, fine leader would let it sag and drift, and you would feel fewer takes.

Weighted wet flies, larger nymphs and small streamers. For smaller flies or clear water, the 3X version is the same leader with a finer tippet.

Can I dead-drift a nymph on it?

It will work in a pinch, but the short 26" tippet holds the fly up. Borger's longer dead-drift leader is built for that.

What knots does it use?

Triple surgeon's knots join the butt to the .013" section and the .013" section to the 2X tippet. An improved clinch knot ties on the fly.

Nymph · Rainbow Trout

Gary Borger 7.5-Foot Active Retrieve Leader, 2X

Gary Borger's 7.5-foot leader for flies you move: 51" of .020" butt, 13" of .013", and 26" of 2X (.009") tippet. The short, stout design keeps the line straight to the fly, so stripped and swung wet flies and nymphs stay under control and takes are felt. It casts well on 4-7 wt rods and turns over weighted flies.

BBy BarblessOctober 15, 2026

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.020"

.013"

~9.5 lb2X.009"

BUTT · 51"

TAPER · 13"

TIPPET · 26"

.020"

.013"

~9.5 lb2X.009"

BUTT · 51"

TAPER · 13"

TIPPET · 26"

Total length7' 6"

Rod4-7 wt

Flies1

Knots3

WaterFreestone river, Big river, Lake or reservoir

Move across the drawing to pan. Point at a fly or a knot to see what it is; select a knot for how to tie it.Drag the drawing to pan. Tap a fly for what it does, a knot for how to tie it.

Build your leader

7' 6" of line · 3 pieces · Butt to tip

Butt 51" · .020"13" · .013"26" · 2X

Butt .020"22X

Section	Length	Diameter and size	Material	Connection
01Butt	51"	.020"	Mono	Fly line loop
02Mid	13"	.013"	Mono	Triple surgeon's knot
03Tippet	26"	~9.5 lb · 2X · .009"	Mono	Triple surgeon's knot

Tie it

0 of 3 done

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

How to tie it

Build the tapered leader
Join the 51" butt to the 13" mid with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 26" of 2X with a triple surgeon's knot.
Tie a triple surgeon's knot
Tie on the fly
Tie the fly to the 26" tippet with an improved clinch knot.
Tie an improved clinch knot

The knots

Triple surgeon's knot · 3 turns×2
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 across or down and across, let the fly sink, then retrieve it with strips or a hand-twist, or let it swing with short pulls. Keep the rod tip low and pointed at the fly. Set with a strip when the line tightens. Use it in rivers and lakes wherever the fly is moving rather than drifting free.

If you miss takes, the rod tip is probably too high. Point it at the fly, keep slack out of the line, and set by stripping, not lifting.

Common questions

Why so short?
On an active retrieve, a short leader keeps the fly directly connected to the line. A long, fine leader would let it sag and drift, and you would feel fewer takes.
What flies go on 2X?
Weighted wet flies, larger nymphs and small streamers. For smaller flies or clear water, the 3X version is the same leader with a finer tippet.
Can I dead-drift a nymph on it?
It will work in a pinch, but the short 26" tippet holds the fly up. Borger's longer dead-drift leader is built for that.
What knots does it use?
Triple surgeon's knots join the butt to the .013" section and the .013" section to the 2X tippet. An improved clinch knot ties on the fly.

Rainbow Trout Brown Trout Cutthroat Trout Nymph Wet Stillwater Freestone Big river Lake

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