How to Tie Tapered Fly Leaders

Tapered leaders are used with fly fishing setups. As their name suggests, the leader line has a slight taper, making it handy when using smaller, lightweight dry flies. The thicker end of the leader is tied off to the main line, leaving the thinner end for the fly itself. Because it is tapered, the thin side is used because it is less visible and creates less water disturbance with the small dry flies.

Instructions

    • 1

      Bring the thick end of the tapered leader up to the main fishing line. Most leaders and main lines have pre-tied loops at the end. Push the loop at the end of the leader through the loop on the leader.

    • 2

      Bring the leader line up and through the loop on the leader and pull the leader and main line in opposite directions, locking the loops together and making one solid line.

    • 3

      Tie your fly to the thin end of the leader using an improved clinch knot.

    • 4

      Thread the end of the leader through the eye hook on the fly and bring the line back over on itself. Wrap at least five wraps of the line off the fly around the leader line, then push the end back through the wraps toward the fly.

    • 5

      Dip the leader and fly into the water to lubricate, then pull the wraps tight. Clip off the excess line to make the fly neat and ready for the cast.