How to Attach a Knotless Leader

A leader is a length of monofilament line that tapers from a large end to a small end. The larger end of the leader is attached to the fly line and the smaller end to a length of small-diameter tippet material. The taper in a leader was once achieved by tying different diameters of line together. Modern tapers are achieved from a single length of line. Tying a leader to your fly line involves the use of a specialized nail knot that allows the line to slide through the guides of the fly rod.

Things You'll Need

  • Fly line
  • Leader
  • Small-diameter tube
  • Scissors
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place a 2-inch-long small-diameter tube along the end of your fly line. Use a tube that is 1/16 inch in diameter.

    • 2

      Lay the large diameter end of the leader beside the fly line and tube with the free end pointing up the fly line. Pull 6 inches of the leader up the line.

    • 3

      Hold the fly line, tube and leader in place with your thumb and index finger. Turn back the free end of the leader to form a loop at the end of the small-diameter tube.

    • 4

      Wrap the leader around itself, the fly line and the tube four times.

    • 5

      Turn the free end of the leader back and through the small diameter tube. Feed the leader through the tube and out the opposite end. Remove your thumb and index finger from the first hold position and now hold the wraps around the line and tube securely.

    • 6

      Pull the tube from the leader line. Pull the free end of the leader and the main leader length to tighten the nail knot (see Resources) securely around the fly line. Pull the fly line and leader to further tighten the knot. Trim excess line from the free end of the fly line and leader with scissors.