Build Perfect Nymph & Streamer Leaders | Micro Swivels + Tippet Rings | Fly Fishing Tutorial

In this fly fishing tutorial, Brian Flechsig at Mad River Outfitters breaks down how to build the perfect nymph or streamer leaders and the importance of using Micro Swivels and Tippet Rings.
Micro Swivels: www.madriveroutfitters.com/p-...
RIO Tippet Rings: www.madriveroutfitters.com/p-...
Tippet Rings: www.madriveroutfitters.com/p-...
Maxima Ultragreen: www.madriveroutfitters.com/p-...
RIO Big Nasty Leaders: www.madriveroutfitters.com/p-...
Amnesia: www.madriveroutfitters.com/p-...
Hemostats: www.madriveroutfitters.com/p-...
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Shot and Edited by Dev Fogle
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Welcome to Mad River Outfitters, hosted by professional fly fishing guide, Brian Flechsig and his team of fly fishing guides at Mad River Outfitters. On this channel you will find honest fly fishing education, fly fishing tutorials and product reviews. We're passionate about fly fishing and that's what we hope to share here. More information about who we are can be found on our website (www.madriveroutfitters.com) and also on our Instagram (@madriveroutfitters).
#FlyFishing #Fishing #Leaders

[@RT-sc8qu]

Best fly fishing coach, ever!

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching!

[@caryverhalen]

Fantastic content, really enjoyed learning from you Brian, thanks!

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching.

[@paulwallace4802]

Brilliant it is great to have you back

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching and please stay tuned.

[@jeremyfree2fish586]

Love your stuff very helpful thank you for making these videos

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching.

[@jimower24]

Truly enjoy your videos Brian. Very informative and easy to understand. Keep up the great job. 👍🏻👏🏻🎣🐟😎🇺🇸

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks so much for watching and please stay tuned.

[@elessar60]

It's so much fun to watch your videos. I learn so much from each one.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching.

[@Carson.Cannon]

It’s been cool to see the studio change over time. Love the new setup! Also ready for the book or be released !!

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Always evolving. Thanks for watching and please stay tuned.

[@andykjohnsonjohnson7622]

Nice video Brian 👍 🎣. Very helpful information 🙂

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for being here.

[@stevenhill9228]

Really like your videos, learning a bunch, thank you.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks so much for watching. We appreciate it.

[@toddwmac]

Thanks Brian....great stuff as always.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching!

[@twsdlbh]

Thank you so much for this advice.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching.

[@farmerbob4554]

Using the hemostats to tie on a tippet ring - very good tip. Thanks!

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Happy to help and thanks for watching.

[@quintili1]

Great info, I just placed an order with you guys. I think I'm going to give the micro swivels a shot on my streamer rig.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

You'll love them. Makes life easy.

[@kamiltamiola2066]

Excellent set of tips as always, Brian! Warmest greetings from Valle d'Aosta at the foothills of Mont Blanc!

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching.

[@musicalintuition]

Love watching your videos Brian. You're an awesome teacher and I like your no BS approach. I think you're becoming somewhat of a legend! Keep up the good work! Everything you do is very inspiring. Kudos!

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks so much for watching. We really appreciate it. Stay tuned.

[@hirkojs]

Mega Thx for an excellent video to help me start building my own leaders!

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for being here.

[@waynespringer4328]

I've seen this video 4 or 5 times. Each time I seem to learn a little something new from Bryan. Thank you. WayneO

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching and please stay tuned.

[@madseason29]

I’m new to trout fishing and you blew my mind 😂

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks so much for watching!!! Please stay tuned.

[@nathanadams6633]

Thanks for the info Brian.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching!

[@dinoconsabor]

Excellent tip about the micro swivels and using the hemostats to secure small objects when tying knots.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for being here.

[@davidbundesen5867]

Excellent discussion on streamer leaders.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for being here.

[@jeffcrider7216]

Thank you for all you do !!! I'm planning a trip to your shop ... See you soon

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for being here and hope to see you soon.

[@mikebowman6017]

Really enjoy watching your vedoes, they are very eduction w/ i'am just beginning to strat this fishing style. Keep up the great work.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching.

[@johnuriniuk588]

Great tip for future trips

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching.

[@cep14254]

Great information Brian. Like your simple formulas for leaders and the use of swivels. Since I am just getting into streamer fishing, this is great! Love your KZbin channel. Keep it up!!

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching and please stay tuned. As long as folks keep supporting the shop, we’ll keep making videos!!

[@cep14254]

@@Madriveroutfitters You can count on me! Also really like the segments with Blane Chocklett. Keep them coming!!

[@kasiaamparano9203]

You guys are great!! The simplest explanations or beginners! Recommending to all who are interested.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for being here. Much appreciated.

[@idrisabdul1279]

thanks Brian...you teach me a lot about fly fishing...greeting from Malaysia

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching.

[@JD-HALL]

Good tutorial here. I want one of those hats!

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching. Our current selection of hats can of course be found on our website.

[@everettstevenson6110]

The more I fish, the more I appreciate the knowledge shared in these videos even though I have seen them before.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching.....again.

[@chromeslayer5269]

I have sure been anxious for your end of the line book🤷🏼‍♂️

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Hopefully soon?

[@lambertsaldi1550]

Brian great review thank you l use micro swivels period. The Vermonter

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for being here.

[@terryyarnall9495]

As always, a ton of information and extremely well presented. MRO has helped me to be a better fly fisherman. Also, much of what you present can be used when spin casting for trout and fishing for bass in general.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching.

[@gregelliott9498]

Awesome. This is very informative and helpful. Can't count the number of your videos I've watched but this is one of the most helpful. Also got to visit the shop for the first time last month. Loved it. Cost me a mortgage payment, but loved it.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching and thanks for the support.

[@johnnylightning1491]

Thanks Brian, Now all I have to do is watch it again and copy down your formulas. Keep the good stuff coming.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching.

[@paulbugeja5425]

Love your patience in regards to tip rings for dry fly leaders and tying on tippet while on snap ring, "this is America", Flip clip. You make excellent videos!

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching and please stay tuned.

[@MrDaveB123]

Oh boy What a ton of new terminology I have been Spin and bait cast fishing for 35 years This is something I have wanted to get into for years but wow its a whole new world !!! But I like the way you keep it pretty easy to follow. Thanks

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching. We appreciate it and please stay tuned.

[@CatfishWeekly]

Excellent video!

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching.

[@phoult37]

I throw big gurglers for bass and they do tend to twist up my tippet; that micro swivel looks like a great solution! Thanks for the video and info.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks so much for watching and let us know how it goes!!

[@Whiteyholmes08]

Man, this was really helpful to me… Thanks…

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching and happy to help.

[@davidanderson4166]

If this the info that we can expect from your promised book, I can hardly wait. 😀

[@Madriveroutfitters]

And much, much more. Stay tuned.

[@treycolvin4499]

Love your videos. They have helped me immensely. How about one on some standard saltwater leaders you would build for various applications like your LA redfish trip etc.? Thanks!

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Stay tuned. A follow up to Brian's Redfish video is coming soon!

[@richardtaylor8312]

Hi Brian, Thank you for your comprehensive information, perfectly delivered, and easy to understand. As a retired clinician I would just like to add a comment on your use of haemostats particularly in this edition. I use my haemostat a lot, but I still call it my “Spencer Wells Artery Forceps” after the surgeon who originally invented the device in the UK. In 1879. How amazed would that man be today if he knew the extent his simple artery forceps was being used for other purposes!....Tight Lines-and Thanks again.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for sharing.

[@shawnu22]

That was one great video..........I need more mono!

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks so much. Let us know if we can send you some.

[@josephwaynedry509]

Just made my first order from your website. Your website and KZbin channel is a god send. Everything is super informative and has really helped me out. I appreciate it, keep up the good work

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks so much. We appreciate the support.

[@user-ml4vu2qh1y]

Just made my first purchase too. Could not believe that the leader and tippet material I purchased was cheaper than Amazon. Also love how well the website is designed and organized. Made finding what I needed so easy.

[@woods2creeksoutdoorsdulins448]

Great video thanks for the tip!!!

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching and please stay tuned!

[@huntingicon]

So happy to hear someone condoning the micro swivel. I use them for my try leaders and catch grief from every "traditional" I meet

[@Madriveroutfitters]

That's the fun part of using them. The grief from purists. Thanks for watching.

[@davec4224]

This is some great stuff

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for being here.

[@stealthswim223]

Bought a fly rod last week. Fished maybe 5 times in my life (I’m 29). I had no idea that fishing was this complex. My mind is being blown. As a resident in Hilliard OH I can’t wait to get to your shop and get everything I need!

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching and we'll look to see you soon!

[@nicolelewis1828]

Great video, Brian! I always learn so much! For the tippet rings: I directly use the end of the tippet material to which I am going to tie the tippet ring, to get the ring onto my line. Then, I'll used my bodkin or haemostats to hold the ring once I've tied the knot.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching.

[@dylanworkman1373]

Thanks for all you do. I have been questioning these leader rings and this video was a big help thanks.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Happy to help and thanks for being here.

[@riverrightoutdoors]

More great info ..... 🙏

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching!

[@francisstraughniii2473]

I have been fly fishing 26 years tying my own fly's and building my own rods after watching this I think it's time to make my own leaders great overhead view of the white board.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for being here.

[@freds4712]

Just ordered over $60 worth of stuff. Love these vidoes

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for the support. Much appreciated and it helps immensely of course. Stay tuned.

[@bowhuntznj]

All good stuff and micro swivels work for big bulky dry flys, especially when fishing in rivers to finicky trout that will refuse the same offering on a heavier tippet! Thanks for sharing!🙏

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching!

[@johnm674]

Great info. Thanks

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for being here.

[@Charsept]

Never seen micro swivels. Those look interesting.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

We love them!!!

[@TheSavagederek]

It's amazing how many guys don't fully utilise all the many uses for Hemostats or forceps. I agree, the way you do it is definitely best.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching.

[@flyfishing6569]

Glad your back Brian, I’ve missed you. Your Q&A seriously helped me catch 3 fish my first day with floating line, now I euro nymph and my PB is now a 25” trout, don’t think I’d be able to do that without your knowledge but now I’m euro nymphing

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for being here and please stay tuned.

[@robertgalloway3923]

I wish i could have had this mentorship when i was younger.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Glad you are here now though. Please stay tuned.

[@craigmitchell1993]

Hey Brian longtime fisherman here from Michigan now in KY. I’ve found that learning to tie knots and tie on your own loop connections or droppers when drop shot nymphing double nymphs is much easier than using those tiny freaking metal leader eyelets. Kelly Galloup’s drop shot nymph video describes this well and why many of us use our own knots instead of those little things. Plus the great thing is if you pre tie several loop droppers and keep them with you then you can #1 change flies out easily and quickly but #2 you can slide that five inch loop dropper up or down on the leader depending on where you want to move your fly in the water column to keep your offerings in the optimal strike zone. Love your videos, just wanted to offer some advice for newer anglers to this concept so that they learn early to tie their different knots and make their own and skip the hassle on the water of dropping those tiny little metal rings right into the drink.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching.

[@johnnewman8431]

Great video my friends. Thank you and keep it up.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for being here.

[@bradnickel6685]

Puget Sound beach fishing - these micro swivels look as if they are the way to go!! I gotta try them.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

We'll be happy to send you some. Thanks.

[@bigron8346]

I love your instruction videos can you please make a Spey video showing different shooting heads and sink tips? Also the difference between spey and Skagit and which shooting heads you prefer. Thank you so much.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

That's going to be a good question for the shop. Ryan may have done a video or two on the subject here if you look around a bit. Otherwise, you'd need to call him at the shop. Brian doesn't know how to spell Spey.

[@OriginalGabriel]

Oh man, congrats on that new studio!

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for being here.

[@angleofattack5942]

Like button smashed

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks and hopefully it didn't hurt. We appreciate it!!!

[@dereklandseidel2580]

Brian and Mad River Outfitters gurus, I think I have a simple question and hope to get an answer. Are you just using a surgeon's knot to tie all the sections together? I've been watching these videos like crazy over my first summer of fly fishing. They are top notch.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching. No, he uses Blood Knots. Feel free to contact him at the shop if any further questions.

[@hanshansen6989]

Thank you very much.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching.

[@refaiabdeen5943]

Cheers Mate!

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Cheers! Thanks for watching.

[@hownowbrowntrouttasmania7389]

Good watch will have to do this things.:)

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Let us know how it goes! Thanks.

[@jet6581]

I have been using a #14 barrel swivel on my steelhead setup. I definitely need a pair of magnifiers if I try these.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching.

[@greghoover4113]

Hey, enjoying your videos. Two comments. First, I tried a swivel while streamer fishing. The swivel broke, probably due to the repeated hinging at that point. It was a traditional swivel, not a new micro. Maybe it was old and/or cheap, I don't know. But it broke. I decided to just use tippet ring, not swivel. Second, a comment about a significant reason to use tippet rings that no one ever talks about. Knot strength. Connecting knots like blood, Uni, etc. have break strengths of 50 to 60%. That means the weakest point on our line is the knot connecting leader to tippet. If you'll use a tippet ring at that point, the knots (Clinch, Uni, etc.) will be in the 80 to 95% break strength range. In other words, a tippet ring will hugely increase the break strength of the weakest point on your line because you replace connecting knots with terminal knots, which are inherently stronger.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching.

[@DAVIDDAMIENR]

Thank You !!!

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching.

[@johnnewman8431]

Oh yeah I bet you guys are digging the new shop.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

They are. All seem happy.....almost giddy.

[@troutsage]

I'd love to see a video on some salt water leader builds!

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Quite a few here on the channel. Let us know if you can't find them. Thanks.

[@johnkinsfather64]

I did use tippet rings but have switched to micro swivels , easier to handle and unwind the Nymph rig when casting.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for sharing.

[@WhiteBuffalo032]

Thank you for the great videos... I have a leader question please. If you were fishing clear highland lakes for pressured largemouth bass , how long of a leader would you use? I think the #8 flyline is spooking some fish.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Please send those questions over to the shop and they will be happy to help. Thanks.

[@ramoonfernandez2503]

Hi Brian, love your videos, they are very helpful... I am going to try mouse fly fishing for the first time here in Alaska.. would you consider that dry fly fishing and not use the tippet ring? Thank you!

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Please send your questions over to the shop via e-mail or give them a call and they will be happy to help. Thanks.

[@MrStingray075]

Another great video. Thanks Brian. Got out on the water this afternoon for the first time this year and tried my hand at streamer fishing for the first time. Made lots of mistakes. I have a quick question about your leader assemblies. Am I right in thinking that each of the sections forming your butt sections are tied together using double surgeons knots?

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching. Please shoot Brian an email through the shop and he’ll get back to you there.

[@aircomp]

Same question here.

[@troutsage]

Great video! Quick question, do you use that snell knot with the amnesia butt section on your nymph leader? Thank you!

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Yes, he always snells the butt section onto the fly line. Feel free to call him at the shop if any further questions. Thanks.

[@sharkhartman]

Great video Brian. I’m setting up a 5wt rod with sinking tip line. I assume that I would want a slightly lighter “MUG” line for the leader or would the .017 and .015 be ok? Also, should I just use a surgeons knot to connect the .017 and .015 lines together?

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching. Feel free to e-mail or call Brian directly through the shop. He'll be happy to help/answer.

[@nickbeute6173]

Great video, thanks for sharing. Question, when building that nymph leader how do you connect the sections: amnesia, to the MUG, and the MUG to the MUG? Lastly do you recommend approximately 2ft of tippet after the tippet ring/swivel? Keeping the overall leader length in that 9ft range. Really enjoying your videos as I am trying to get back into fly fishing.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching. Please send your questions directly to Brian at the shop. Send him an email or give him a call and he’ll be happy to help and answer.

[@davidclendening9732]

I use my tie right to remove the tippet ring works slick

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching!

[@kogabear1]

Not sure when I started using tinny, tinnie swivels, couple years ago I bought a bunch on sale and thought why not. Seem to work really well.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

They do work well.

[@bradmine378]

I keep the hemostats on and tie both clinch knots works good for me

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching and sharing.

[@bmxjake73]

Very educational w.r.t. the Nymph leader formula. No I am wondering; 1. What Amnesia LB do you recommend for a #1-3 line. 2. Can I also use Amnesia nylon for my dry fly leader?

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Please send those questions over to the shop and they will be happy to answer there. Thanks.

[@scarriec]

Thanks for the informative video. Would it be equally effective to use Maxima Clear 20lb. instead of Amnesia for creating the butt section of a leader for a nymphing rig?

[@Madriveroutfitters]

That would be a question for Brian or the shop directly. Give them a call or shoot them an email and they can help.

[@esanchezp]

Awesome piece of information. Thanks for sharing this. What knot do you use to join the 20lb mono to fly line? and then which one for 20lb to .012MUG to .010 MUG?

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Please send your questions over to Brian at the shop via email or give him a call. He’ll be happy to help. Thanks.

[@nickbeute6173]

Good question Erick - I’m wondering the same. Do you know which knot is used?

[@gbottomly]

Great Content..Just found this video..I was wondering how you attach your butt section to the fly line for nymph fishing trout..

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching. Please send your questions directly to Brian at the shop via e-mail and he‘ll get right back to you there. You can also call him if preferred.

[@rubythroat2258]

Team hemostat here!!

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Go team!

[@mikegardner3749]

Great video on tippett rings. I have made up 2 of each size 2x..4x..6x.and keep in vest 3 ft tips work well. Agree no good for drys.davey knot only loses about 2 inches of tippett. My rec on drys would uni knots

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Mike Gardner Thanks for being here!

[@ross1458]

I use that exact formula for my nymph/spider leader. Once I hit the 5x I use a tippet ring, then 2.5’more 5x, then two more 5x and a tippet ring on the tip. Early in the day I have a drop shot on a 6 or 7 x and on the same ring a SHPT a Spider to match hatch as my dropper and for my op or “Bob” fly. As the hatch progresses I just cut the shot off.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching.

[@curlingfanatic1464]

I wish I lived in the USA. I live in Sweden and here it's illegal to be free. Great video i must say!

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching.

[@Kevinob]

Hi, thanks for the video. Why do you use 2 different types of MUG before the tippet ring or the micro swivel? What is the benefit intead of having just 1 piece of MUG? Thanks

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Taper. Dissipation of energy. Feel free to contact Brian directly through the shop if he can explain further. Thanks.

[@christopherharpster9330]

Boy everyday I'm waking up and putting on my cold weather work clothes instead of flip flops and shorts to fish is really killing my mood. It's like 2 degrees here in Central PA, but in my mind I'm catching Peacock bass in Florida lol

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Soon, very soon. Keep the faith.

[@philscoates8611]

Thanks that was awesome, how much would this change when targeting King salmon or silvers?

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching. Please send your questions over to the shop via phone or e-mail and they will be happy to help.

[@michaelhamilton5418]

Great video. I was wondering use a 5 wt fly line and 6x or 7x tapered leaders.What size tippet ring should I use.? Thankyou

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching. Please send any and all questions directly to Brian at the shop and he'll be happy to help. You can e-mail him or call him.

[@jerryg957]

Thanks

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching.

[@Ten4Ben]

Hey! Super helpful, will put an order in. Surgeons knot for connecting the transitions in the nymph leader? Double/triple?

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for being here and for the support. Please send any and all questions directly to Brian and he’ll be happy to help. You can email him or call him!

[@Ten4Ben]

@@Madriveroutfittersis the Admin email in the bio? Or a separate one? I can check the website. Thanks!

[@Madriveroutfitters]

@@Ten4Ben only one email at the shop! Check the video description below or the website.

[@robertturner8184]

Most helpful video I have seen on leaders and rigging. Thank you! Where'd you get those beefy hemostats?

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching. He shops at Mad River Outfitters. Exclusively.

[@TroutHuntingNZ]

Hey there. I probably just missed it but what knot are u using for the leader build? Not for the tip pit ring but the other joins 20lb down to 10lb ?

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Blood Knots.....always.