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Dry fly · Rainbow Trout

Light Leader Tip for Dry Flies

A 15-foot dry-fly leader for flat, clear water and wary trout. A 72 inch RIO Powerflex butt runs to a 4 mm tippet ring, then 36 inches of .013 and 24 inches of 2X copolymer and a 12 inch step of 4X to a second 4 mm ring, with 36 inches of 5X RIO Suppleflex at the fly. The long, fine tip lets a small dry drift without drag.

BBy BarblessOctober 15, 2026

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30 lb.017"
RIO Powerflex
20 lb.013"
RIO Powerflex
10 lb2X.009"
RIO Powerflex
~6.5 lb4X.007"
4.7 lb5X.006"
RIO Suppleflex
BUTT · 6 FT
TAPER · 36"
TAPER · 24"
TAPER · 12"
TIPPET · 36"
Total length15' 0"
Flies1
Knots3
WaterSpring creek, 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 30 lb2344.7 lb

Tie it

0 of 5 done

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

How to tie it

  1. Add the tippet ring - heavy

    Tie the tippet ring - heavy to the 6 ft butt. Tie 36" of 20 lb to its other eye. Add 24" of 10 lb with a double surgeon's knot. Add 12" of 4X with a triple surgeon's knot.

    Tie a double surgeon's knotTie a triple surgeon's knot

  2. Add the tippet ring - heavy

    Tie the tippet ring - heavy to the 12" mid. Tie 36" of 4.7 lb to its other eye.

  3. Tie on the fly

    Tie the fly to the 36" tippet with an improved clinch knot.

    Tie an improved clinch knot

The knots

  • Double surgeon's knot · 2 turns×1
    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 once more, twice in all.
    4. Wet the knot and pull all four ends evenly until it seats. Trim both tags.
    The double surgeon's knot, step by step
  • Triple surgeon's knot · 3 turns×1
    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

Fish it on spring creeks, tailouts and slow flats where trout rise to small dries and see the leader. Cast upstream or across with an open loop and stop the rod a little high so the 5X lands in soft curves. Let the fly drift without mending if you can, and lift gently on the take. Retie the 5X to the second ring as it shortens.

If the 5X piles up in a heap, the loop is too slow or the wind is too strong for 15 feet of leader. Cut the 5X back toward 24 inches and cast a slightly tighter loop.

Common questions

  • Why 15 feet of leader?

    On flat, clear water a long leader keeps the fly line far from the fish, and the 36 inches of 5X adds slack at the fly so it drifts without drag.

  • What are the two tippet rings for?

    The first 4 mm ring lets you replace the lighter taper without cutting into the 72 inch butt. The second sits above the 5X, so new tippet ties on without shortening the 4X step.

  • What size dry flies does it suit?

    Small dries on 5X: mayflies, midges and small caddis. For bigger, bushier flies, tie 4X to the second ring instead.

  • Will it cast in wind?

    It is a calm-water leader. In a breeze, shorten the 5X and tighten your loop, or switch to a shorter leader.

Rainbow TroutBrown TroutCutthroat TroutDrySpring creekTailwater

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