How to Tie Double Trailing Fishing Hooks

Where permitted, it is not uncommon for an angler to fish multiple flies at the same time by affixing the extra flies to "dropper strands" that branch off from the main leader at intervals. Dropper strands are particularly easy to include in a leader that you tie yourself using several monofilament strands of different diameters.

Things You'll Need

  • Monofilament fishing lines (various diameters)
  • Scissors or trimmers
  • Flies
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Instructions

    • 1

      Begin creating your leader by using a blood knot to join a section of larger-diameter monofilament line to a section of slightly smaller-diameter monofilament line. The lengths and diameters of these sections will vary depending on how the leader will be used, but many trout leaders begin by joining a three-foot section of 30 lb. test line to a 1.5-foot section of 20 lb. test line. The blood knots used to connect the leader sections lie flat against the finished leader and are small enough to pass easily through the rod guides. See the "Resources" section below for instruction on how to tie a blood knot.

    • 2

      Continue using blood knots to connect sections of progressively smaller-diameter lines to the leader you began creating in Step 1. The length and diameter of each section will vary depending on how the leader will be used.

    • 3

      Use more blood knots to attach the last two sections of monofilament line to the leader. However, when tying each knot make sure that one of the knot's tag-ends is much longer than usual (approximately one foot). Trim the other tag end away, but leave this longer tag end attached to the line as a dropper strand.

    • 4

      Tie the flies of your choosing to the dropper strands using improved clinch knots. Use another improved clinch knot to tie a third fly to the end of the main leader.

    • 5

      If needed, apply a floatant to any dry flies that you have attached to your leader. You are now ready to fish.