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Fly Lines
In fly fishing you cast the line not the lure. The heavier the line the bigger the fly it will cast. Therefore, fly rods are made to match a particular line weight. A 7/8 weight rod is best suited for larger wind resistant bass bugs. A six weight is a good all around rod and the recommended choice for the beginner. It is capable of casting dry flies as well as weighted nymphs. 4/5 weights are considered dry fly rods where gentle presentations and light tippets are the order of the day. The fly line must match the weight of the rod. Somewhere near the rod butt will be inscribed its weight. Next you will decide which taper is best for your fishing conditions. Because of the manufacturers propensity to satisfy the fly fisherman's every desire, there are an almost infinite selection of tapers and variations of the same taper. Do not be overwhelmed, just be aware that fly lines basically come in level, double, weight forward, and shooting tapers.These are described as follows.
Level lines are useless for fly fishing. Without any taper they cannot transfer the energy in a gradual succession. Don't waste your money on a level line.
Double taper lines typically have a tapering section 6 to 10 feet long on each end of the line with a level section (the belly) in between them. The long taper keeps the fly farther away from the heavier belly section and thus allows a delicate presentation. They are also the easiest to cast long roll casts. This would be the taper of choice for restrictive conditions requiring rolls casts and delicate presentations. A double tapered line can also be the most economical line because it has two usable ends. It is recommended that they be reversed on the reel several times a season to prevent the coiled end from taking a set and becoming unusable. The disadvantage to double tapered lines are that they are more difficult to cast long distances and do not cast well against the wind. This taper would not be a choice for open water or wind resistant flies.
Weight forward lines are by far the most popular lines and with good reason. The weight of a fly line is measured in the first 30 feet. Unlike the double tapers that gradually distribute this weight, the weight forward concentrate the weight more towards the end of the line. It then tapers down to a thin running line that allows easier long distance casts. The more forward the weight is placed, the more "shooting" power it has but at the expense of a delicate presentation. Getting a distant roll cast with a weight forward line is difficult. Once the running line gets past the tip-top of the rod, there is not enough energy in the thin running line to turn over the fat belly section..
Shooting taper lines (also known as a shooting head) are short sections of fly line that are attached to a separate running line. They are specifically used for long distance casting and are anything but delicate. Because they are so short, a number of different types and densities can be kept in a wallet or pocket and interchanged easily, as the particular fishing conditions require.
Fly lines are either Floating or Sinking. which come in various densities. The more dense the line the faster its sink rate. This is important when fishing deeper waters. Fly lines also come in a combination float/sink lines known as sinking-tips. The body of the line floats whereas the tip sinks. An alternative is to buy a floating line then attach a section of sinking tip. These lines require more skill to cast.
Leaders - Other than it being awfully difficult getting the thick fly line through the small eye of the fly, you will need a terminal piece of line called a leader. This is a tapered piece of monofilament that gradually dissipates the energy from the fly line before it reaches the fly. Lengths and tippet size (last few inches of the leader) will vary depending on fly size and fishing conditions. Lengths- common lengths are 7 1/2, 9, and 12 feet and taper down to a few thousandths of an inch. A general guideline is to select a leader at least the length of the rod. If the water is clear and the fish spooky add length. If it is windy or you are having casting problems, shorten it.
This page was last updated on Tuesday, April 3, 2001
