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Indicator · Rainbow Trout

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.

BBy BarblessOctober 16, 2026

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20 lb.017"
Maxima Chameleon
15 lb.015"
Maxima Chameleon
12 lb.013"
Maxima Chameleon
8 lb1X.010"
Maxima Chameleon
6 lb2X.009"
Maxima Chameleon
~8 lb3X.008"
~6.5 lb4X.007"
BUTT · 24"
TAPER · 18"
TAPER · 12"
TAPER · 8"
TAPER · 18"
TIPPET · 24"
TIPPET · 24"
Total length10' 8"
Flies1
Knots6
WaterFreestone river, Tailwater, Big river

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

Build your leader

10' 8" of line · 7 pieces · Butt to tip

Butt 20 lb23453X4X

Tie it

0 of 7 done

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

How to tie it

  1. Build the tapered leader

    Join the 24" butt to the 18" mid with a blood knot. Add a trapped-air (Thinga) 3/4" onto the 18" mid, 7' 11" above the Tungsten Bead Pheasant Tail. Add 12" of 12 lb with a blood knot. Add 8" of 8 lb with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 18" of 6 lb with a triple surgeon's knot.

    Tie a blood knotTie a triple surgeon's knot

  2. Add the tippet ring - heavy

    Tie the tippet ring - heavy to the 18" mid. Tie 24" of 3X to its other eye. Add a split shot No. 4 onto the 24" tippet, 26" above the Tungsten Bead Pheasant Tail. Add 24" of 4X with a triple surgeon's knot.

    Tie a triple surgeon's knot

  3. Tie on the Tungsten Bead Pheasant Tail

    Tie the Tungsten Bead Pheasant Tail to the 24" tippet with an improved clinch knot.

    Tie an improved clinch knot

The knots

  • Blood knot · 5 turns×2
    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
  • 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

Fish it in riffles, runs and seams about 4 to 5 feet deep, which suits the indicator's spot about 95" above the fly. Cast upstream or up and across, then mend so the indicator floats at the speed of the current. Any stop, dip or twitch of the indicator is a strike, so set right away. If you never touch bottom, add weight or slide the indicator higher.

If the indicator drags or sinks, the shot is too heavy for a 3/4" trapped-air float. Use a larger indicator, or take off the shot and let the tungsten bead carry the fly.

Common questions

  • Where does the split shot go?

    Pinch one No. 4 shot onto the 3X fluorocarbon just above the triple surgeon's knot, about 26" above the fly. The knot stops it from sliding down onto the nymph.

  • How do I change the depth?

    Slide the trapped-air indicator along the 18" .015" section. For deeper water, take it off and refit it on the 24" butt above the blood knot, since it won't slide past the knot. A rough guide is 1.5 to 2 times the water depth above the fly.

  • Why is there a tippet ring?

    The 4 mm heavy ring keeps the tapered part of the leader intact. You can re-tie the 3X and 4X fluorocarbon below it as often as you need without cutting into the leader.

  • Can I add a second nymph?

    Yes. Tie 12" to 18" of 5X off the bend of the Pheasant Tail to a smaller nymph, and add a little weight if the pair rides high. Check local rules on two flies first.

Rainbow TroutBrown TroutCutthroat TroutIndicatorNymphFreestoneTailwaterBig river

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