Fly Fishing Reels

Choosing the best Fly Fishing Line

In order to fly fish successfully, the correct fly fishing line must be used for each scenario. Sometimes, the line has a lightweight fly attached which needs to float on the water. In other circumstances, the fly should float just beneath the surface of the water and the line has to be a bit heavier. In some situations, such as when fishing on a lake or a river, the line should sink to the bottom.

Fly fishing requires three different types of line. On the reel, the first line attached in called the backing, and it is usually a heavier, sometimes braided line. Attached to the backing is the fly line. At the end of the fly line is the leader, the part to which the fly itself is tied. There are many considerations when choosing the correct fly fishing line.

Generally, the fly fishing line size should match the sizes of the reel and rod. Usually, the backing line’s test weight is 20 lb. for 8 lb. fly fishing line or less, and 30 lb. for more than an 8 lb. fly fishing line. The leader is tapered on one or on both ends, and size is based on its diameter, which ranges from 0x to 8x, (with 0 being the heaviest and strongest). The fly is tied to the tapered end of the leader.

Fishermen are advised to purchase the best fly fishing line he/she can afford, because it will make a big difference in casting and finesse when fly fishing.

Fly Fishing Line Classes

Possibly the most important factor to consider when fly fishing is the line that will be used. So much of fly fishing involves variables like wind, depth of water, stillness of the water, how the fish are biting and where, and the weight of the fly.

Basically, fly fishing line types are divided into various classes, like weight, taper, and flotation. Fly fishing lines are usually 80 to 100 feet long, but only the first 30 feet of line has the class designations.

Lightweight fly fishing line carries a weight designation of 2 to 4 lbs., intermediate line is 5 to 7 lbs., and heavyweight line is 8 to 9 lbs.
On a windy day, for instance, fishermen need more weight on the line in order to cast.

There are fly fishing lines that are manufactured with the weight forward, or WF, meaning the ‘belly’, or thickest part of the line is at the end in order to propel the line further. Other fly fishing lines are tapered on one or both ends. A double-taper, or DT, has the weight in the center and is tapered on both ends. There is also a shooting taper, or ST.

Floating, or F; sinking, or S; and sink-tip, or F/S lines have either full flotation or a combination of floating and sinking line.

When purchasing line, look for the three-letter code on the label stating the flotation, weight, and taper of the line.

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