HOW TO: Tying a Euro Nymphing Trout Leader

Tying your own Euro Nymphing Trout Leader - Deschutes Angler Owner and Guide Amy Hazel takes us through how to make a Euro Nymph Leader for your Euro Nymphing Setup.
Here in Central Oregon on the Deschutes River, Euro Nymphing has taken off in the past two years, with catch rates and numbers of fish increasing with experience in this technique. With a reported 2'000+ Native Redside Trout per mile of Deschutes River, using the Euro Nyphing technique produces amazing results.
MATERIALS LIST:
MAXIMA:
www.deschutesa...
RIO Two-Tone Indicator Tippet:
www.deschutesa...
RIO Tippet Rings:
www.deschutesa...
Fluorocarbon:
www.deschutesa...

[@milanbogdanovic6120]

This is without a doubt, hands-down, the best video on KZbin that I have seen out of dozens regarding tying a euro nymph trout leader. The whiteboard diagram was exceptional and lacking in all the other videos that I’ve seen. The close-up camera work was also exceptional and extremely helpful. Wonderful job and please keep putting out such awesome videos! PS: I just picked up a Contact 2, Thomas and Thomas euro nymphing rig with a Galvan 3.7 real completely set up to fish but if I ever need to change my leader system or redo the current one, I will be referring to this video which I have saved. Thank you!

[@bobdonaldson445]

I use this formula and materials and absolutely love it. Really like the Chameleon. The whiteboard is very helpful to anyone new getting into euro nymphing.

[@SultanofSpey]

It's been along time since I've made it that far west and I sure do miss you guys at Deschutes Angler. Still some of the best teaching I've ever got. Great to see you're still going strong.

[@tannerfurniss1955]

Clear and concise explanation. This is a great shop, Amy is fabulous.

[@DeschutesAnglerFly]

Appreciated Tanner ... apologies for the late reply.

[@gerardnglavin6249]

Very helpful and extremely well explained. Thanks so much for posting.

[@jfsebastian7811]

Great dexterity on tying those blood knots 👍

[@richludt2962]

This is a GREAT video on building a euro nymph fishing leader. Thanks!

[@gscotty311]

Many thanks Amy! Great video!

[@nervousstranger]

I'm doing 20' of 20#, 10' 15#, 2' 11# sighter to tippet ring, then however deep water I'm fishing I adjust my tippet length.

[@DeschutesAnglerFly]

Also a great idea ... how has it been working for you? Tight lines!

[@ryantherock7664]

so is the 24" section added to the END of the 8ft tippet section?and is the triple surgeons tied approx 8" up from the end of the 8ft section?

[@Berger511]

Hi Amy, good video. Why using 5x fluorocarbon tippet? Maybe using a 4X gives your leader more suppleness? The heavier fly on the bottom is not a rule, it works when in faster or deeper water. In shallower depth it maybe better to to use the smaller fly on bottom. Thnx

[@irideaduck939]

Using the smallest diameter tippet reduces the overall drag of the water on your set-up ... thus hopefully improving the overall dragless presentation. I was told to not worry about suppleness, just focus on drag.

[@glynweston8839]

Hi - why specifically Maxima Chameleon for the butt section? Chameleon is often recommended for home made nymph leaders and I assumed it was for the lo vis or maybe low stretch or because it allowed you to feel more on tight line. But I noticed it is very stiff and has a lot of memory compared with other fishing line that have the above qualities. If you wanted to go even longer (say 24-30 feet) so that the fly line never came off the reel would you just use 50% longer butt sections or would this change the dynamics? Or perhaps just use 12 feet of 20 lb line? I could not find the ready made leaders on the web site. Thanks!

[@thelurewasher]

Glyn Weston it is very supple and doesn't retain memory like other mono's do. Also there's just something about the way it cinches down with knots. So perfect.

[@unionse7en]

Instead of a surgeons, how about a blood knot to provide a *perpendicular* tag end for the uppermost fly...less tangles?

[@DeschutesAnglerFly]

We've seen them with blood knots - the surgeons and the technique is what works well for us on the Deschutes - depending on water type and visibility, maybe a knot change could be useful.

[@randymatson5710]

Doesn't the UV light degrade the mono

[@robertpayne6781]

What are you using for your main line? As in what are you connecting the 20lb maxima too?

[@connortruman3906]

I beleive they use a regular euro fly line. Its slightly thinner than a regular line but still as strong.

[@DeschutesAnglerFly]

Robert - any line will do, since theoretically were not casting the line at all, but the leader, sighter, tippet and flies. Using a Euro line can be advantageous if your looking for longer casts, but in general, and here on the Deschutes were fishing close. But always remember, the more length you have out of the rod tip, the more difficult it becomes to practice this specific type of nymphing. Tight lines!

[@105mania6]

How to set up with rod 6-7ft long?

[@liamronan4296]

Use a 9 or 10 foot rod for euro nymphing

[@BEN10TO10]

Hi, I'm a relative new comer to this and found your video useful. I have a couple of questions, what would be the effect of connecting the fluorocarbon section of leader directly to the fly line without the tapered part of the leader ? Would using a tippet ring not add 'weight' to the middle of the leader rather than the weighted nymph at the end. These are probably 'numpty' questions but as I say I'm a novice trying to understand.

[@DeschutesAnglerFly]

Hi Ben ... sorry for the crazy tardy reply. Were just figuring out that people actually comment on KZbin! Who knew??? I am presuming that after a year things have changed for you in regards to info. and what you know about Euro Nymphing - but in general and just for newbies that may be looking at this - it would be challenging to use the setup without the middle single pice of mono - since in general, the actual 'fly line' is being used very little unless your trying to present at a distance. Large(r) to small(er) taper is a core concept for fly fishing and fly lines in general.

[@algarcia157]

Great video! I am an absolute rookie, so forgive me if this question sounds stupid, but I am learning. Why would it not be acceptable to just use like a single 10 foot piece of Maxima Chamaeleon 15 pound line all the way to the indicator section? just for simplicity sake. There has to be a good reason, but I’m just curious what that reason is. Thanks!

[@BillSaltbush]

The thrust of your question makes perfect sense. I'm guessing that I know why you haven't received an answer (after a month). I use a parallel (15lb straight line) leader all the way to the sighter piece.

[@irideaduck939]

It is acceptable to use a single piece and many use it that way, even someone (DO) on the USA fly fishing team. My current set-up is 16-18 feet of 12 lb max Cham to a tippet ring, then 5x for the remainder. My cortland level line rarely comes off my reel. Personally I'd prefer not running any knots through the rod eyelets while fishing. Also, I use a 16-20 knot and prefer it over the clinch knot.

[@sghitza1]

There is definitely nothing wrong with using one piece for simplicity just like you sad. Especially if you run your leader all the way into the reel and you don't plan to actually cast your leader. The reason they are building that way is to achieve a tapered leader ( has to be longer than your typical 9ft leader) in order to be able to cast it easier.

[@DeschutesAnglerFly]

Hi Bill ... we didn't answer because we were terrible at answering social media (we are trying to remedy this asap) ... and because were fly fishermen who just learned in 2020 that people actually comment on videos we uploaded on KZbin!! Were behind the times a bit out here in Maupin, but were learning and catching up. Tight lines everyone ... I think the comments and yours covered the question Guns answered effectively.

[@ipisca]

Great video! Question: can use another tippet ring instead of the triple surgeon knot? Thnx

[@jesseaskew957]

Nacho P, yes you can use another tippet ring.

[@tightliningmd]

I do the same basic set up. I do a bit longer in each section of the Maxima Chameleon line. This is a GREAT rig. Takes some getting used to and practice. However, I find it to be the most effective fishing method, regardless of the season. I would really encourage anyone who is interested in this style of fishing to watch "Dynamic Nymphing" by George Daniel. I would almost guarantee this channel did, as the set up is almost identical. They cover techniques and fly tying. Nice video!

[@tzzzz20]

Thanks for the leader build. Is this the same leader you would use if fishing shallow water say 2'-3' feet. Thnx Tony ZZZZ

[@tightliningmd]

Absolutely. I prefer fishing this set up in riffles and run. Deep holes and flat water are no good for this set up, in my opinion. The general rule of thumb is have one and a half the depth of the water to your bottom fly. So if you are fishing 2-3 feet of water have about 4-5 feet of tippet. When in doubt go a little longer. Just make sure you are ticking the bottom. Include a split shot when needed, and I prefer fishing with jig head hooks for my nymphs and tungsten beads.

[@DeschutesAnglerFly]

Hi Nacho! Absolutely! This is the budget version. I like to tie a tippet ring down where the surgeon's knot is - much easier to build it back again.

[@loganbrower3445]

Why do you go from 20lb to 15lb to 12lb maximuma?

[@Garnetttt]

It becomes very hard to cast

[@Rostodon]

Far to many knots. Every knot is a weak link.....keep it simple and keep your leader stronger

[@gladegoodrich2297]

When I see decked out fly fisherman I just laugh. Why do you make it so complicated? Been fishing for 70 years and know that it's not that hard.

[@isupportthecurrentthing5225]

Too many knots