Why is half the leader butt?

A long, stiff butt carries the energy of the fly line into the leader, which is what turns over a heavy or wind-resistant fly. Lefty built the formula around that idea.

Will it land a small fly softly?

Not really. With a .013 tip this is a turnover leader for bigger flies. For small dry flies on a light rod, a longer leader with a finer tippet is the better choice.

Streamers, poppers, baitfish patterns and light saltwater flies fished on a 7-8 wt line.

How do I keep it fishing all day?

Each fly change eats a little of the .013 tip. When it drops well below 24 inches, tie on a fresh piece of the same mono so the taper still turns over.

Streamer · Largemouth Bass

Lefty Kreh's Simple 9-Foot Leader Formula

Lefty Kreh's simple 9-foot leader: about half butt, a quarter middle, and the rest a short step and tippet. Here that is 48 inches of .024 mono, 24 inches of .021, 12 inches of .018 and 24 inches of .013 at the fly, joined by three blood knots. Built for a 7-8 wt line, it turns over streamers, bass bugs and light saltwater flies.

BBy BarblessOctober 14, 2026

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.024"

.021"

.018"

.013"

BUTT · 48"

TAPER · 24"

TAPER · 12"

TIPPET · 24"

.024"

.021"

.018"

.013"

BUTT · 48"

TAPER · 24"

TAPER · 12"

TIPPET · 24"

Total length9' 0"

Rod7-8 wt

Flies1

Knots4

WaterBig river, Lake or reservoir, Freestone river

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

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

Butt 48" · .024"24" · .021"12" · .018"24" · .013"

Butt .024"23.013"

Section	Length	Diameter and size	Material	Connection
01Butt	48"	.024"	Mono	Fly line loop
02Mid	24"	.021"	Mono	Blood knot
03Mid	12"	.018"	Mono	Blood knot
04Tippet	24"	.013"	Mono	Blood knot

Tie it

0 of 4 done

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

How to tie it

Build the tapered leader
Join the 48" butt to the 24" mid with a blood knot. Add 12" of .018" with a blood knot. Add 24" of .013" with a blood knot.
Tie a blood knot
Tie on the fly
Tie the fly to the 24" tippet with an improved clinch knot.
Tie an improved clinch knot

The knots

Blood knot · 5 turns×3
1. Overlap the two ends by about six inches.
2. Wrap one tag end around the other line five times, then bring it back and pass it between the two lines where they cross.
3. Wrap the other tag end five times the opposite way and pass it back through the same opening from the other side.
4. Wet the knot and pull the two standing lines steadily until the wraps seat. Trim both tags close.
The blood 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

Use it when the fly is bulky or wind resistant and turnover matters more than a soft landing. Loop the butt to a floating line, cast with a smooth stroke and let the heavy butt carry the fly all the way out. Strip the fly back at the pace the fish want. Rebuild the .013 tip when it has been cut back.

If the fly collapses short of the target, the .013 tip has usually been cut too short or the loop is too wide. Retie the tip to 24 inches and tighten the casting loop.

Common questions

Why is half the leader butt?
A long, stiff butt carries the energy of the fly line into the leader, which is what turns over a heavy or wind-resistant fly. Lefty built the formula around that idea.
Will it land a small fly softly?
Not really. With a .013 tip this is a turnover leader for bigger flies. For small dry flies on a light rod, a longer leader with a finer tippet is the better choice.
What flies suit it?
Streamers, poppers, baitfish patterns and light saltwater flies fished on a 7-8 wt line.
How do I keep it fishing all day?
Each fly change eats a little of the .013 tip. When it drops well below 24 inches, tie on a fresh piece of the same mono so the taper still turns over.

Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass Brown Trout Rainbow Trout Streamer Big river Lake Freestone

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