Tying a Leader to a Hook

• 1). Before you begin fishing, consider what type of leader you might want to use. Leaders come in breaking strengths from 6X (3 lb.) to1X (12 lb.), lengths from 7 1/2 to 9 feet, and in fluorocarbon or regular nylon mono-filament. For dealing with more finicky, educated fish, a longer, lighter leader is recommended. When your leader begins to shorten from changing flies, extra tippet can be added to the end with a Blood Knot or Double Surgeon's knot to make it longer.
  
  
• 2). Carefully removing and uncoiling your leader after removing from the package is key to avoiding tangles and knots before you have even begun to fish. Remove the leader from the package and extend your fingers through the coiled loop, applying pressure from the inside out to maintain tension. Take the blunt, thick end of the leader and unwind it back around the coil until, like a Slinky, the leader unravels from around your fingers. Stretch the leader out along its length to straighten it and attach it to your fly line via Perfection Loop or Blood Knot.
  
  
• 3). Locate the end of your leader and attach it to your hook with a Clinch Knot. To do this, pass the tag end of the leader through the eye of the hook and wrap it back around the leader five to seven times. Next, pass the tag end of the leader through the loop created nearest the eye of the hook. To make your Clinch Knot an Improved Clinch knot, pass the tag end of your leader back through the larger loop created when passing through the small loop. Before cinching your knot and trimming your tag end, wet the knot, usually with saliva, in order to keep friction from heating and weakening the tippet. Test your knot with a tug--and begin fishing.