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Wet fly and soft hackle · Rainbow Trout

Three-Fly Wet Fly Team Leader

A wet fly team leader for swinging three flies at once. It starts with 72" of tapered leader cut back to 3X, then 4X Maxima Chameleon in 6", 18" and 24" sections joined with triple surgeon's knots. Two 4" tags off those knots hold the droppers, and the point fly ties to the end. The team covers three depths on every swing.

BBy BarblessOctober 15, 2026

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FIRST DROPPER TAG · 4"
4 lb4X.007"
Maxima Chameleon
SECOND DROPPER TAG · 4"
4 lb4X.007"
Maxima Chameleon
~8 lb3X.008"
4 lb4X.007"
Maxima Chameleon
4 lb4X.007"
Maxima Chameleon
4 lb4X.007"
Maxima Chameleon
BUTT · 6 FT
TAPER · 6"
TAPER · 18"
TIPPET · 24"
Total length10' 0"
Flies3
Knots6
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

10' 8" of line · 6 pieces · Butt to tip

Butt 3X234 lb

Tie it

0 of 6 done

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

How to tie it

  1. Build the tapered leader

    Join the 6 ft tapered leader (cut back) to the 6" top section to dropper knot with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 18" of 4 lb with a triple surgeon's knot. Add 24" of 4 lb with a triple surgeon's knot.

    Tie a triple surgeon's knot

  2. Tie on the fly

    Tie the fly to the 24" point section with an improved clinch knot.

    Tie an improved clinch knot

  3. Add the fly

    Leave 4" of 4 lb as a tag off the triple surgeon's knot. Tie the fly to the 4" first dropper tag with an improved clinch knot.

    Tie a triple surgeon's knotTie an improved clinch knot

  4. Add the fly

    Leave 4" of 4 lb as a tag off the triple surgeon's knot. Tie the fly to the 4" second dropper tag with an improved clinch knot.

    Tie a triple surgeon's knotTie 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×3
    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 tailouts during caddis and mayfly emergences or whenever trout are taking just under the surface. Cast across or down and across, make one mend, and let the flies swing on a tight line. Lead the swing with the rod tip and let the flies hang below at the end. When a fish pulls, let it turn and tighten, without a hard strike.

If the flies tangle, open up the casting loop and stop flicking the line. A wide, unhurried cast keeps three flies separate.

Common questions

  • Why tie the dropper tags off the lower end of the knot?

    A tag that points toward the fly stands off the leader and pulls straight against the knot, so it is stronger and tangles less than a tag pointing up.

  • How far apart are the flies?

    The two dropper tags are 18" apart, and the point fly sits 24" below the second tag, enough space to stop the flies wrapping each other on the cast.

  • What flies go on a wet fly team?

    A bushy soft hackle on the top dropper, a slimmer wet fly in the middle, and a heavier or darker fly on the point to fish deepest.

  • Is 4X strong enough?

    For trout on soft hackles and small wets, yes. Keep the tension steady on a take rather than jerking the rod.

Rainbow TroutBrown TroutCutthroat TroutWetFreestoneTailwater

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