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Dry fly · Rainbow Trout

Gary Borger Leader Formula

Gary Borger's leader formula built as an all-round 9-foot trout leader: 51" of .020" butt, 13" of .013", 26" of 2X (.009") and an 18" tip of 4X (.007"). Borger's idea is a heavy butt that carries the cast and a quick step down to the tippet, so the leader turns over the fly with energy to spare. It suits dry flies and nymphs on 4-6 wt rods.

BBy BarblessOctober 15, 2026

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.020"
.013"
~9.5 lb2X.009"
~6.5 lb4X.007"
BUTT · 51"
TAPER · 13"
TAPER · 26"
TIPPET · 18"
Total length9' 0"
Rod4-6 wt
Flies1
Knots4
WaterFreestone river, Tailwater

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

Build your leader

9' 0" of line · 4 pieces · Butt to tip

Butt .020"234X

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 26" of 2X with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 18" of 4X with a triple surgeon's knot.

    Tie a triple surgeon's knot

  2. Tie on the fly

    Tie the fly to the 18" 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

For dries, cast upstream or up and across and let the fly drift without drag. For nymphs, tie on a beadhead, let it sink, and lead it downstream with the rod tip at current speed. The heavy butt turns over bushy dries and weighted flies in wind. Change the tip to suit the fly: finer for small dries, heavier for big nymphs.

If small dries land hard, the tip is too short for them. Add a longer 4X tip, or a finer one, so the fly lands with a little slack.

Common questions

  • Why such a heavy, long butt?

    Borger built his leaders around a stiff .020" butt that carries the cast most of the way, then steps down quickly. That turns flies over well, even bulky dries and weighted nymphs.

  • Can I use it for both dries and nymphs?

    Yes. With 4X at the tip it handles most trout dries and nymphs. Go finer for tiny dries on flat water, or use Borger's dead-drift nymph leader for deep nymphing.

  • What rod does it suit?

    A 4-6 wt. The .020" butt is heavy for lighter rods.

  • What knots join it?

    Triple surgeon's knots join every section, which handle the big step from the .020" butt, and an improved clinch knot ties on the fly.

Rainbow TroutBrown TroutCutthroat TroutDryNymphFreestoneTailwater

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