Rigs Lab · Gear & fly fishing rigs + leaders

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rigs to tie
134
knots
42
fly lines
639
leader materials
128
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21 to 40 of 74 rigs

  • A mono rig built to fish a weighted streamer on a tight line: 288 inches of 20 lb Maxima Chameleon, 24 inches of 12 lb Maxima HV, 12 inches of 12 lb red sighter mono and 12 inches of 2X Gold Label with a Backing Barrel marker, to a 4 mm tippet ring. Below the ring are 36 and 24 inch pieces of 2X fluorocarbon to a size 8 tungsten jig streamer.

    Total length33' 0"
    TechniqueStreamer
    Knots5
    Time to tie2.5min
    20 lb.017"
    Maxima Chameleon
    12 lb.013"
    Maxima HV
    12 lb.013"
    10 lb.012"
    Stren Gold Stren
    Fluorocarbon Tippet · 36"
    ~9.5 lb2X.009"
    BUTT · 24 FT
    TAPER · 24"
    TAPER · 12"
    TAPER · 12"
    TIPPET · 60"
  • A mono rig set up to fish a dry fly: 288 inches of 20 lb Maxima Chameleon, 24 inches of 12 lb Maxima HV, 12 inches of 12 lb red sighter mono and 12 inches of 2X Gold Label with a Backing Barrel marker, to a 4 mm tippet ring. Below the ring a short dry-fly taper runs 10 inches of 2X, 6 inches of 3X and 20 inches of 4X to the fly. It lets a nymph angler fish a dry without changing to a fly line leader.

    Total length31' 0"
    TechniqueDry
    Knots6
    Time to tie3min
    20 lb.017"
    Maxima Chameleon
    12 lb.013"
    Maxima HV
    12 lb.013"
    10 lb.012"
    Stren Gold Stren
    ~9.5 lb2X.009"
    ~8 lb3X.008"
    ~6.5 lb4X.007"
    BUTT · 24 FT
    TAPER · 24"
    TAPER · 12"
    TAPER · 12"
    TAPER · 10"
    TAPER · 6"
    TIPPET · 20"
  • A micro-thin mono rig for tight-line nymphing: 312 inches of .008 Maxima Chameleon, a 20 inch RIO two-tone sighter, and 48 inches of 5X fluorocarbon tippet to a tungsten jig nymph. The thin butt sags less than heavier mono, so a light fly stays in contact farther from the rod tip. The weighted fly does the work, with no indicator and no split shot.

    Total length31' 8"
    TechniqueEuro
    Knots3
    Time to tie1.5min
    5 lb3X.008"
    Maxima Chameleon
    7 lb3X.008"
    RIO Two Tone Indicator
    ~4.5 lb5X.006"
    BUTT · 26 FT
    SIGHTER · 20"
    TIPPET · 48"
  • George Harvey's 10-foot dry fly leader, finished in 4X. It starts with a soft .015" butt and steps down .002" at a time through four 18" sections (.015", .013", .011", .009"), then 15" of 3X and a long 36" tippet of 4X, for 10' 3" in all. The soft butt and long tippet are meant to land the fly with slack in the tippet, so it floats drag-free over mixed currents. It suits a 5 wt rod.

    Total length10' 3"
    TechniqueDry
    Knots6
    Time to tie3.5min
    .015"
    .013"
    ~13 lb0X.011"
    ~9.5 lb2X.009"
    ~8 lb3X.008"
    ~6.5 lb4X.007"
    BUTT · 18"
    BUTT · 18"
    TAPER · 18"
    TAPER · 18"
    TAPER · 15"
    TIPPET · 36"
  • Gary Borger's leader formula built as an all-round 9-foot trout leader: 51" of .020" butt, 13" of .013", 26" of 2X (.009") and an 18" tip of 4X (.007"). Borger's idea is a heavy butt that carries the cast and a quick step down to the tippet, so the leader turns over the fly with energy to spare. It suits dry flies and nymphs on 4-6 wt rods.

    Total length9' 0"
    TechniqueDry
    Knots4
    Time to tie2min
    .020"
    .013"
    ~9.5 lb2X.009"
    ~6.5 lb4X.007"
    BUTT · 51"
    TAPER · 13"
    TAPER · 26"
    TIPPET · 18"
  • Gary Borger's 9-foot leader for bouncing a nymph along the bottom: 45" of .020" butt, 17" of .013", and a long 45" tippet of 0X (.011"). Two No. 4 split shot ride 10" above a size 8 stonefly nymph, and a small yarn indicator on the butt shows the take. The stout tippet holds up to the shot, snags and big fish on 4-7 wt rods.

    Total length8' 11"
    TechniqueIndicator
    Knots3
    Time to tie1.5min
    .020"
    .013"
    ~13 lb0X.011"
    BUTT · 45"
    TAPER · 17"
    TIPPET · 45"
  • Gary Borger's 7.5-foot leader for flies you move, finished in 3X: 51" of .020" butt, 13" of .013", and 26" of 3X (.008") tippet. The short, stout design keeps the line straight to the fly, so stripped and swung wet flies and nymphs stay under control and takes are felt. It casts well on 4-7 wt rods.

    Total length7' 6"
    TechniqueNymph
    Knots3
    Time to tie1.5min
    .020"
    .013"
    ~8 lb3X.008"
    BUTT · 51"
    TAPER · 13"
    TIPPET · 26"
  • Gary Borger's 7.5-foot leader for flies you move: 51" of .020" butt, 13" of .013", and 26" of 2X (.009") tippet. The short, stout design keeps the line straight to the fly, so stripped and swung wet flies and nymphs stay under control and takes are felt. It casts well on 4-7 wt rods and turns over weighted flies.

    Total length7' 6"
    TechniqueNymph
    Knots3
    Time to tie1.5min
    .020"
    .013"
    ~9.5 lb2X.009"
    BUTT · 51"
    TAPER · 13"
    TIPPET · 26"
  • Gary Borger's 10-foot dead-drift nymph leader, finished in 5X. It runs 51" of .020" butt, 13" of .013", 51" of 2X (.009") and a 6" tip of 5X (.006"), for 10' 1" in all. The long level 2X section lets a weighted nymph sink freely, and the finer tip suits small nymphs in clear, slow water on a 3-6 wt rod.

    Total length10' 1"
    TechniqueNymph
    Knots4
    Time to tie2min
    .020"
    .013"
    ~9.5 lb2X.009"
    ~4.5 lb5X.006"
    BUTT · 51"
    TAPER · 13"
    TAPER · 51"
    TIPPET · 6"
  • Gary Borger's 10-foot dead-drift nymph leader, finished in 4X. It runs 51" of .020" butt, 13" of .013", 51" of 2X (.009") and a 6" tip of 4X (.007"), for 10' 1" in all. The long level 2X section lets a weighted nymph sink freely instead of being pulled up by a taper, and the heavy butt still turns it over on a 3-6 wt rod.

    Total length10' 1"
    TechniqueNymph
    Knots4
    Time to tie2min
    .020"
    .013"
    ~9.5 lb2X.009"
    ~6.5 lb4X.007"
    BUTT · 51"
    TAPER · 13"
    TAPER · 51"
    TIPPET · 6"
  • A dry-dropper on a 9 foot tapered mono leader. It steps from 36 inches of .017" through .015", .013", 0X and 2X to 24 inches of 4X tippet tied to a size 10 to 14 foam or parachute dry. Off the dry's hook bend, 18 inches of 5X fluorocarbon hangs a size 16 to 22 bead-head nymph, so the whole rig runs about 10 and a half feet.

    Total length10' 6"
    TechniqueDry dropper
    Knots8
    Time to tie4min
    .017"
    .015"
    .013"
    ~13 lb0X.011"
    ~9.5 lb2X.009"
    ~6.5 lb4X.007"
    ~4.5 lb5X.006"
    BUTT · 36"
    TAPER · 16"
    TAPER · 12"
    TAPER · 10"
    TAPER · 10"
    TIPPET · 24"
    DROPPER · 18"
  • A tight-line mono rig for small streams with a long, three-color sighter. It runs 480 inches of 20 lb Maxima Chameleon as the casting line, a 24 inch step of 12 lb Maxima Clear, then 12 inches of neon red Suffix and 12 inches of neon green Amnesia, a 4 mm tippet ring, and 12 inches of Cortland bi-color. A 2 mm tippet ring below the bi-color holds 36 inches of 5X fluorocarbon to a tungsten jig nymph.

    Total length48' 0"
    TechniqueNymph
    Knots6
    Time to tie4.5min
    20 lb.017"
    Maxima Chameleon
    12 lb.013"
    Maxima Clear
    12 lb.013"
    Suffix Superior monofilament neon fire (neon red)
    10 lb.012"
    Sunset Amnesia monofilament neon green
    Sighter · 12"
    9 lb1X.010"
    Cortland Indicator Mono Leader Material - Bi-color
    Tippet · 36"
    ~4.5 lb5X.006"
    BUTT · 40 FT
    TAPER · 24"
    SIGHTER · 12"
    SIGHTER · 12"
  • A mono rig for small streams that fishes nymphs tight-line and small streamers on one leader. It runs 480 inches of 20 lb Maxima Chameleon as the casting line, a 24 inch step of 12 lb Maxima Clear, then a two-color sighter of 12 inches of neon red Suffix and 12 inches of neon green Amnesia. A 2 mm tippet ring below the sighter holds 36 inches of 4X fluorocarbon to a tungsten jig nymph.

    Total length47' 0"
    TechniqueNymph
    Knots6
    Time to tie4.5min
    20 lb.017"
    Maxima Chameleon
    12 lb.013"
    Maxima Clear
    12 lb.013"
    Suffix Superior monofilament neon fire (neon red)
    10 lb.012"
    Sunset Amnesia monofilament neon green
    ~6.5 lb4X.007"
    BUTT · 40 FT
    TAPER · 24"
    SIGHTER · 12"
    SIGHTER · 12"
    TAPER · 36"
  • A 5-foot leader for sink-tip lines: 36" of 20 lb fluorocarbon joined with a triple surgeon's knot to 24" of 10 lb fluorocarbon. Short and dense, it keeps a streamer near the depth of the tip, with a little more distance from the line than a 4-foot leader for clearer water.

    Total length5' 0"
    TechniqueStreamer
    Knots2
    Time to tie1min
    20 lb.016"
    10 lb1X.010"
    BUTT · 36"
    TIPPET · 24"
  • A 4-foot leader for sink-tip lines: 24" of 20 lb fluorocarbon joined with a triple surgeon's knot to 24" of 10 lb fluorocarbon. Short and dense, it keeps a streamer down at the depth of the tip, for big trout and other fish holding deep in current.

    Total length4' 0"
    TechniqueStreamer
    Knots2
    Time to tie1min
    20 lb.016"
    10 lb1X.010"
    BUTT · 24"
    TIPPET · 24"
  • A 4-foot tippet section to rebuild a dry fly leader that has been cut back to 2X. It steps 12" of 2X fluorocarbon to 12" of 3X, then 24" of 4X at .007" to the fly, joined with triple surgeon's knots. It restores a fine, supple tip without buying a new leader.

    Total length4' 0"
    TechniqueDry
    Knots3
    Time to tie1.5min
    ~9.5 lb2X.009"
    ~8 lb3X.008"
    ~6.5 lb4X.007"
    TAPER · 12"
    TAPER · 12"
    TIPPET · 24"
  • A 32-foot tight-line nymphing leader for 3-5 wt rods. It runs 288" of 20 lb Maxima Chameleon at .017", steps through Maxima HV and Sunset Amnesia at .013" and Seaguar Gold Label at .011", then a 1X sighter and 36" of 4X fluorocarbon to a tungsten bead perdigon. The thin butt hangs off the rod tip without sag, so the drift stays direct from rod to fly.

    Total length32' 0"
    TechniqueEuro
    Knots6
    Time to tie4min
    20 lb.017"
    Maxima Chameleon
    .013"
    Maxima HV
    .013"
    Sunset Amnesia
    15 lb0X.011"
    ~11.5 lb1X.010"
    ~6.5 lb4X.007"
    BUTT · 24 FT
    TAPER · 23"
    TAPER · 12"
    TAPER · 12"
    SIGHTER · 13"
    TIPPET · 36"
  • A 13.5-foot swing leader for a 9-11 wt two-handed rod, built on the 60-20-20 formula. It runs 97" of .018" butt, 32" of .014" and 32" of 0X (.011") tippet, so the butt carries the cast and the tip lays the fly out straight. It suits a floating line and a swung streamer in clear or low water.

    Total length13' 5"
    TechniqueSteelhead
    Knots3
    Time to tie2.25min
    .018"
    .014"
    ~13 lb0X.011"
    BUTT · 8.1 FT
    TAPER · 32"
    TIPPET · 32"
  • A 10' 2" tapered trout leader that does a bit of everything on a 5-6 wt rod. A 48" butt of .022" Maxima Chameleon steps through .017", .015", .010" and .009" to a 14" tip of 4X at .007". It turns over a dry fly, a small nymph or a light streamer without a change of leader.

    Total length10' 2"
    TechniqueDry
    Knots6
    Time to tie5min
    30 lb.022"
    Maxima Chameleon
    20 lb.017"
    Maxima Chameleon
    15 lb.015"
    Maxima Ultragreen
    8 lb1X.010"
    Maxima Ultragreen
    6 lb2X.009"
    Maxima Ultragreen
    4 lb4X.007"
    Maxima Ultragreen
    BUTT · 48"
    BUTT · 24"
    TAPER · 12"
    TAPER · 12"
    TIPPET · 12"
    TIPPET · 14"
  • A three-piece streamer leader that steps from 30 lb to 20 lb to 10 lb Trilene Big Game, the 3-2-1 in its name. It runs 10 feet: a 72 inch butt, a 24 inch midsection and a 24 inch tippet, joined with triple surgeon's knots. Stiff, simple and quick to tie, it is built to turn over streamers and stand up to fish that grab hard.

    Total length10' 0"
    TechniqueStreamer
    Knots3
    Time to tie1.5min
    30 lb.022"
    Trilene Big Game
    20 lb.018"
    Trilene Big Game
    10 lb.012"
    Trilene Big Game
    BUTT · 6 FT
    TAPER · 24"
    TIPPET · 24"