Sign in

Euro nymph · Rainbow Trout

Pure Nymphing River Mono Rig, 5X

A thin mono rig for tight-line nymphing on freestone and tailwater rivers: 288 inches of .008 Maxima Chameleon, a 24 inch RIO two-tone sighter (3X, .008), and 36 inches of 5X fluorocarbon to a tungsten jig nymph. There is no indicator and no split shot: the weighted fly takes it down and the sighter shows the take.

BBy BarblessOctober 15, 2026

LikeSave
Clone and edit
5 lb3X.008"
Maxima Chameleon
7 lb3X.008"
RIO Two Tone Indicator
~4.5 lb5X.006"
BUTT · 24 FT
SIGHTER · 24"
TIPPET · 36"
Total length29' 0"
Flies1
Knots3
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

29' 0" of line · 3 pieces · Butt to tip

Butt 5 lbSighter5X

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 24 ft butt to the 24" sighter with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 36" of 5X with a triple surgeon's knot.

    Tie a triple surgeon's knot

  2. Tie on the Tungsten Jig Pheasant Tail

    Tie the Tungsten Jig Pheasant Tail to the 36" 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

Use it in riffles, pocket water and runs where you can stand within a couple of rod lengths of the fish. Cast the jig upstream, lift the rod so the mono stays off the water, and lead the fly downstream at about the speed of the current. Watch the two-tone sighter just above the surface and set on any pause, twitch or sideways move. Go up a bead size when the fly is not reaching bottom.

If the rig tangles, slow down the cast and open the loop, and let the jig pull the thin mono out rather than forcing it.

Common questions

  • Why .008 mono for the butt?

    Thin mono sags very little between the rod tip and the fly, so a light jig stays in contact and the sighter shows small takes.

  • Do I need split shot or an indicator?

    No. The tungsten jig carries the weight and the 24 inch RIO two-tone sighter (3X, .008) shows the take.

  • How long should the tippet be?

    The build has 36 inches of 5X fluorocarbon. Lengthen it in deep runs and shorten it in shallow water so the sighter stays above the surface.

  • Does it work on tailwaters?

    Yes. 5X fluorocarbon and a small jig suit clear tailwater runs, and the same rig works in freestone riffles.

Rainbow TroutBrown TroutCutthroat TroutEuroNymphFreestoneTailwater

More euro nymph rigs

Explore all

  • Lake Almanor, Ca. Hex Hatch Slip Bobber Dredging Rig

    Featured

    I built this rig to get a weighted hex fly down to the lake bottom where trout are waiting for natural hex emergers to rise up the water column. It uses a slip bobber to suspend the fly 12 to 24 inches above the bottom in 15 to 35 feet of water, letting me fish without casting while the fish camp in place before they start moving up to chase the hatch.

    Total length28' 0"
    TechniqueNymph
    Knots4
    Time to tie2min
    CABy Chad Alderson

  • Hogan's Yuba River Nymph Rig (fall/winter)

    This is my go-to setup for Fall/winter nymphing on the Lower Yuba River. I adjust the weight between AAA, SSG, and AB as well as move the indicator up and down fish varios depths and speeds of water... shallower water lighter weight.

    Total length11' 0"
    TechniqueNymph
    Knots8
    Time to tie3.25min
    HBBy Hogan Brown

  • Thin Mono Rig with a .012 Butt

    A long thin mono rig for euro nymphing: 312" of .012" Maxima Chameleon, a 24" sighter of 12" of Umpqua Sighter and 12" of RIO Two Tone Indicator (both .009"), and 48" of 5X fluorocarbon tippet to a tungsten bead nymph. Triple surgeon's knots join the sections. At 384" overall the thin butt does the work a fly line would, with far less sag.

    Total length32' 0"
    TechniqueEuro
    Knots4
    Time to tie2min
    BBy Barbless

More from Barbless

  • Standard Indicator Nymphing Rig, 4X

    A 10' 8" indicator nymphing leader on Maxima Chameleon. The butt steps from .017" to .010", then 18" of .009" runs to a 4 mm heavy tippet ring, with 24" of 3X and 24" of 4X fluorocarbon below it. A 3/4" trapped-air indicator, one No. 4 split shot and a #16 Tungsten Bead Pheasant Tail make it a ready-to-fish indicator rig for riffles and runs.

    Total length10' 8"
    TechniqueIndicator
    Knots6
    Time to tie4min
    BBy Barbless

  • Tight-Line Nymphing Mono Rig, 5X

    A tight-line mono rig for euro nymphing with a 5X point. It runs 288" of 20 lb Maxima Chameleon (.017"), 24" of 12 lb Maxima HV, a 12" red sighter section and 12" of Umpqua Sighter (.009") with a backing barrel marker, then a 4 mm tippet ring. Below the ring, 14" of RIO Two Tone, 36" of 4X and 20" of 5X fluorocarbon lead to a #16 tungsten Pheasant Tail. No indicator or split shot: the fly carries the weight.

    Total length33' 10"
    TechniqueEuro
    Knots6
    Time to tie3.5min
    BBy Barbless

  • Tight-Line Dry-Dropper Mono Rig, 5X

    A tight-line mono rig that fishes a dry and a nymph together. It runs 288" of 20 lb Maxima Chameleon (.017"), 24" of 12 lb Maxima HV, a 12" red sighter section and 12" of Umpqua Sighter (.009") carrying a backing barrel marker, then a 4 mm tippet ring. A 6" tag of 3X mono off the ring holds a #12 Stimulator; below the ring, 14" of RIO Two Tone, 24" of 4X and 24" of 5X fluorocarbon lead to a #16 tungsten Pheasant Tail.

    Total length33' 2"
    TechniqueDry dropper
    Knots8
    Time to tie4min
    BBy Barbless
All rigs by Barbless