Javascript is disabled on your browser.
To view this site, you must enable JavaScript or upgrade to a JavaScript-capable browser.

Login
Register

Your cart is empty

Fishing
Kayak Fishing
Boat Trailering
Apparel
Accessories
Fly Fishing
Brands
- - A - B
  - C - D
  - E - G
  - H - L
  - M - O
  - P - R
  - S
  - T - V
  - W - Z
Sale
- - CLEARANCE
Angler Resources

Home
Fishing
Line
Fly Lines, Leaders & Tippet
Leaders, Tippet & Backing

Fly Lines, Leaders & Tippet

Fly Lines
Leaders, Tippet & Backing

Narrow By

74 Products

Brand

Airflo Fishing
Cortland
Drennan
Fenwick
Frog Hair

Hardy
Maxima
RIO
Scientific Anglers
Seaguar

See More See Less

Fishing-Accessories-Type

Lanyards & Tippet Holders
Leader Loops & Connectors

Line-Type

Wire
Monofilament
Fluorocarbon
Braided
Copolymer

Gel Spun
Nylon
Leader
Tippet
Backing
Tapered
Floating
Sink Tip
Intermediate
Full Sinking
Running & Shooting

See More See Less

Species

Trout
Steelhead
Salmon
Bass
Musky

Spool-Size

Under 25 yds
25-100 yds
101-300 yds
301-600 yds
Over 600 yds

Test

1 lb
2 lb
3 lb
4 lb
5 lb

6 lb
7 lb
8 lb
9 lb
10 lb
12 lb
14 lb
15 lb
16 lb - 20 lb
21 lb - 25 lb
26 lb - 50 lb
51 lb - 75 lb

See More See Less

Water

Freshwater
Saltwater

Leaders, Tippet & Backing

74 Products

Cortland Nylon Tapered Leader

$7.99

Cortland Fluorocarbon Tapered Leader

$12.99

Cortland Indicator Mono Leader Material

$10.99

Cortland Fluorocarbon Tippet

$12.99

Cortland Copolymer Nylon Tippet

$9.99

Airflo Salmon & Steelhead Polyleader

$11.99

Airflo Trout Polyleader

$11.99

Airflo Light Trout Polyleader

$8.99

Airflo Custom Cut Tip

$19.99

Airflo Miracle Braid

$39.99

$26.99

Hardy Gel Spun Fly Line Backing

$74.99

Scientific Anglers InShore Leader

$9.99

Scientific Anglers Sonar Stillwater Booby Tip

$9.99

Cortland Gel Spun Fly Line Backing

$37.99

Scientific Anglers Tri-Color Sighter Tippet

$8.99

Hardy Dacron Fly Line Backing

$9.99

Hardy Fluorocarbon Tippet

$14.99

Hardy Copolymer Tippet

$6.99

Fenwick World Class Nylon Tippet

$3.49

Fenwick World Class Fluoro Tippet

$5.99

RIO 2-Tone Gel Spun Fly Line Backing

$17.99

RIO Multi-Color GSP Fly Line Backing

$599.99

RIO Saltwater Butt Material

$19.99

1 of 4

1
2
3
4

At a Glance: Leaders, Tippet & Backing

Leaders, tippet, and backing are the specialized fishing lines which attach to opposite ends of a fly line to extend the length of the fly line or to finish it off for an optimal fly presentation. Leaders are short pieces of line, typically no longer than the length of the rod being used, and add stealth to otherwise highly visible fly lines due to the clear leader line. Most fly leaders are tapered monofilament or fluorocarbon where the end that attaches to the fly line is quite thick, tapering down to a fine line at the tip where you would tie to the fly hook. Fly fishing uses tapered leaders to allow for the line to turn over and make a soft landing with the fly. As flies are changed or broken off, the very end section of tapered leaders can easily be replaced with tippet material to extend the life and effectiveness of the leader. Tippet is an even shorter piece of line which can replace or just simply finish off a leader. Tippet material is often very soft and supple. Leaders and tippet strength can either be listed breaking strength- pounds as other fishing lines are - or by X-ratings. The X-rating will help determine the size of the flies to use with each. By multiplying the X-rating by 3, you will know that a 4X leader works well with size 12 flies, and so on. Leaders and tippet can be made of monofilament, fluorocarbon, copolymer, wire, and even lead and tungsten core lines for their ability to sink without added weights. Fly line backing is usually a braided line, used underneath the fly line on a fly reel. Putting a backing line on a reel first fills the spool, which increases the retrieve rate as line fills the spool while winding the handle. A full spool also means fewer and larger coils of the fly line which can be retained as spool-memory in the fly line itself if wound onto a very small spindle. The true benefit of backing, though, is the additional line for fighting large fish. The lengths of any given fly line are typically 80 ft - 115 ft and in wide rivers or coastal shorelines, this is not enough line to successfully fight large fish hooked to relatively light leaders. Backing line is typically much thinner than the fly lines and provides that extra amount for a big fish to tire itself out to be landed properly. Whether targeting freshwater or saltwater species, FishUSA leads the competition in offering leaders, tippet, and backing for every fly angler.

Popular brands of leaders, tippet and backing line available at FishUSA include Seaguar, Maxima, RIO, Cortland, and more.

© 2019 FishUSA, Inc.

Newsletter Sign Up

Follow Us

Contact Us
Shipping Rates & Times
International Orders
Visit Us

Return Policy
Price Guarantee
Payment Methods
Order By Mail

Sales & Security Policy
Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions

About Us
Careers
News
Forums & Regional Sites