Tippet and leader connect your fly line to your fly, and picking the right size is one of the easiest ways to improve your catch.
The fly line is thick and visible, so it does not tie directly to the fly. The leader is a tapered length of clear line that attaches to the end of the fly line. It is thick where it joins the fly line and thin at the far end, which helps the cast turn over smoothly.
Tippet is the thinner, replaceable section at the end. You tie the fly to the tippet. As you change flies and retie, the tippet gets shorter, and you add new tippet with a knot such as the surgeon's knot, described in our guide to fly fishing knots. This protects the more expensive leader, which would otherwise be trimmed down.
Leaders and tippet are labeled with an X number, such as 4X or 5X. The key rule is that a bigger number means a thinner line. A 3X tippet is thicker than a 5X, and a 7X is far thinner than a 2X.
The numbers correspond to the diameter of the line, measured in thousandths of an inch. The chart below is a commonly used reference.
| Size | Diameter (inches) | Balances with fly sizes |
|---|---|---|
| 0X | .011 | 1/0, 2, 4 |
| 1X | .010 | 2, 4, 6 |
| 2X | .009 | 4, 6, 8 |
| 3X | .008 | 6, 8, 10 |
| 4X | .007 | 12, 14, 16 |
| 5X | .006 | 14, 16, 18 |
| 6X | .005 | 16, 18, 20, 22 |
| 7X | .004 | 18, 20, 22, 24 |
| 8X | .003 | 22, 24, 26, 28 |
Fly hook sizes work in reverse of what you might expect. A higher hook number means a smaller fly. A size 20 is tiny, and a size 8 is large. Pair a small fly with thin tippet and a large fly with thicker tippet.
One simple starting rule is the rule of three. Divide the hook size by three to get the X size. A size 12 fly then points to 4X, and a size 18 points to 6X. Treat it as a first guess, then adjust to conditions.
Match the tippet to the fly first. Tippet too heavy for a small fly looks unnatural and makes the fly drift badly. Tippet too light for a large streamer can break on a cast or a strong trout.
Then consider the fish. Clear water, pressured trout and small flies all point toward lighter tippet, because trout can see line and wary fish often avoid it. A common beginner error is using tippet that is too heavy. Going down one size can produce more strikes. For small midge patterns, light tippet is the norm, and flies in sizes 18 to 24 are common for midge pupae.
On the other hand, bigger rivers and bigger fish can call for stronger tippet. One conservation group suggests a five or six weight rod with 3X or 4X tippet for large rivers. The goal in either case is to land the fish quickly so it can be released in good shape. See catch and release for why that matters.
A leader is a system, not a single strand. Each time you add tippet, you are lengthening the thin end. When the tippet is very short, the leader is ready for a fresh section. Keep a few spools of tippet in different X sizes, and replace line that has nicks or has been used for a long time. Run your fingers along the last few inches to feel for rough spots before you tie on a new fly.
Most anglers start with a knotless tapered leader, a single piece of line that is thick at one end and thin at the other. Some anglers use leaders made by tying together lengths of line in steps, which they can adjust, but a ready-made tapered leader is simpler and works well. Whichever you choose, the tippet is what you change as you swap flies.
Tippet comes in different materials. Nylon is the traditional choice, while fluorocarbon is commonly sold as a less visible option that sinks. Both come in X sizes. Packaging can list diameter and breaking strength, and two spools with the same X label from different makers may differ a little, so check the diameter on the spool. Try both and see what suits your style, and always use the same size labeling system when you compare them.
Store tippet away from heat and sunlight, and replace spools that have been sitting for years, since old line can lose strength.
The most frequent mistake is carrying only one or two sizes. When a fly changes from a size 12 to a size 18, the tippet should change too. Another is breaking off and retying with a shorter piece of line each time until it becomes too short to do its job. Watch your tippet length, and add a fresh section before it disappears.
Finally, do not assume that the thinnest line is the safest choice. A tippet that is too light will break on strong fish, which leaves a fly stuck in a trout's mouth.
You do not need every size. For trout, a small range from the middle of the chart covers most flies. A beginner might carry three or four spools, covering heavier streamers, general nymphs and dries and light tippet for small flies. Our fly and gear kits will include tippet in a sensible range, and a lesson can show you how to rig it. When you pick flies, our guide to the best flies for trout helps with size.
It is a sizing label for diameter. A higher number means thinner line, so 6X is thinner than 3X.
By the commonly used chart, 4X to 6X can balance with a size 16, depending on the situation. Start in the middle and adjust.
The leader is the tapered section attached to the fly line. Tippet is the thin section at the end that you tie the fly to and replace as needed.
No. Thinner line can look more natural but breaks more easily. Match it to the fly and the size of the fish.
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