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Indicator · Rainbow Trout

Gary Borger 9-Foot Bottom-Bouncing Nymph Leader

Gary Borger's 9-foot leader for bouncing a nymph along the bottom: 45" of .020" butt, 17" of .013", and a long 45" tippet of 0X (.011"). Two No. 4 split shot ride 10" above a size 8 stonefly nymph, and a small yarn indicator on the butt shows the take. The stout tippet holds up to the shot, snags and big fish on 4-7 wt rods.

BBy BarblessOctober 15, 2026

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.020"
.013"
~13 lb0X.011"
BUTT · 45"
TAPER · 17"
TIPPET · 45"
Total length8' 11"
Rod4-7 wt
Flies1
Knots3
WaterFreestone river, Big river

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

Build your leader

8' 11" of line · 3 pieces · Butt to tip

Butt .020"20X

Tie it

0 of 3 done

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

How to tie it

  1. Build the tapered leader

    Join the 45" butt to the 17" mid with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 45" of 0X with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 2 split shot No. 4 onto the 45" tippet, 10" above the Kaufmann's Stone. Add a yarn Small onto the 45" butt, 6' 2" above the Kaufmann's Stone.

    Tie a triple surgeon's knot

  2. Tie on the Kaufmann's Stone

    Tie the Kaufmann's Stone to the 45" 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 upstream or up and across into runs and riffles about 3 to 4 feet deep. Let the shot sink until it ticks the bottom, then lead the drift with the rod tip so it bounces along at current speed. Watch the yarn indicator and set on any stop, dip or twitch. Add or take off shot until it touches bottom every few feet without hanging up.

If you snag on every drift, take off one shot or slide the indicator down the butt. If you never feel or see the shot tick, add weight or slide the indicator up.

Common questions

  • Why such a heavy 0X tippet?

    Split shot, big stonefly nymphs and the rocks on the bottom are hard on tippet. 0X stands up to them and lets you pull free of many snags.

  • Where does the indicator go?

    On the butt, about 6 feet above the fly, for water about 3 to 4 feet deep. Slide it up for deeper water and down for shallower.

  • How much weight should I use?

    Start with two No. 4 split shot 10" above the fly and add or remove one at a time until the shot ticks bottom every few feet.

  • Will the shot slide down onto the fly?

    It can if pinched loosely on the slick 0X. Pinch it firmly and check its position after every snag.

Rainbow TroutBrown TroutCutthroat TroutIndicatorNymphFreestoneBig river

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