Fly Fishing Leader, Tippet & Backing

Leader, tippet and backing are important for casting accuracy, clean fly presentation and the ability to fight fish effectively. Whether you are delicately presenting dry flies, nymphing in fast current, or battling hard-running species, a well-matched setup makes a real difference on the water.

The leader, tippet and backing system

• Tapered leaders deliver smooth turnover for accurate presentations, in fluorocarbon and nylon.
• Precision tippet material adds strength and abrasion resistance where it counts.
• High-capacity backing gives you security to handle long runs from powerful fish.

Choose fluorocarbon for low visibility and abrasion resistance, nylon for suppleness and easy handling, and backing to fill the reel and protect against big fish. The lineup features RIO, Cortland, Scientific Anglers and Airflo. To match a leader and tippet to your fly, read our guide to balancing your fly with your tippet, and to build your own tapered leaders, see our five essential leader knots.

What is the difference between leader and tippet?

The leader is the tapered section attached to the fly line, while the tippet is the finer end material tied to the fly, replaced as it is used up.

Fluorocarbon or nylon tippet?

Fluorocarbon sinks and is low-visibility for nymphing and clear water, while nylon is more buoyant and supple, which suits dry flies.