What Size Leader & Tippet to Use

A typical fly-fishing setup consists of the floating fly line, a leader, a tippet or both a leader and a tippet. The floating fly line is heavy and floats, while the tippet and leader are smaller diameter monofilament lines where the fly ties on. As the floating line is flicked back and forth, it gives the leader or tippet a snap that lets you plant the fly onto the water's surface far from you and your rod. Like most other aspects of fly-fishing, figuring out what tippet and leader to use is part science and part art.

  1. Tippet Choice

    • As a general rule, the larger the diameter a tippet has, the stiffer and harder it is to straighten it out during the fly cast. Water conditions and the size of the fly in use play into the decision for what size tippet to use on the setup. Dirty water, turbulent water and fast moving water demand a larger diameter tippet, while clear water requires a thinner one. When there's clear water, fish tend to spook easier, requiring a thinner line that's nearly invisible when it hits the surface. The turbulent water requires the harder and wider tippet to straighten out on the moving water's surface.

    Leader Choice

    • A leader is chosen based on length and size (pound test). Leaders attach directly to the floating line, usually by a knotless loop that hooks to the float line. Made of monofilament cord, leaders are chosen via the pound test rating as dictated by the fly size and the species of fish you want to catch. For example, if you're fishing for arctic grayling or small brook trout, pair up the leader to the rod size. A typical rod size is a 5 for such species and a leader for the rod would typically be rated at 5 pounds. Your length is chosen based on the waters you fish. If the river or lake is wide and open, use a longer leader such as a 9-footer; if it's full of branches and overhangs, use a 7-footer.

    Tapered Leaders

    • Many leaders have the last 20 percent tapering off in diameter so that they make less of a ripple when they hit the water. Easily spooked fish such as trout, require a very small taper, while other species such as salmon or steelhead require a larger taper to no taper to account for the weight and fight of the fish.

    Leaders & Tippets for Saltwater Fish

    • Saltwater fish are usually larger species that require strong, tough and hard leaders or tippets. As a general rule, saltwater has more movement in the form of swells or surf. Go with a leader and tipper rated up to 30 pounds, without a taper. To get the fly out onto the rough surface effectively, you need this extra weight. The thicker the diameter, the heavier the leader or tippet, making them solid choices for saltwater fishing.