Choosing a Fly Fishing Line The nuts and bolts of selecting a fly line.
Choosing a Fly Fishing Line – Understanding the complex numbers and abbreviations one encounters when making the decision of “Which Fly Line should I be using and why?” can be frustrating and confusing. Every week we receive many excellent questions concerning which fly line we use for various fly fishing situations. Due to the number of these questions, we have compiled a list of the most popular fly lines starting with small trout streams and going all the way up to bonefish to help you choose the right fly line for the different fishing conditions.
- WF = Weight Forward - The fly line is designed with more of its weight close to the leader or on the front portion of the fly line. This is the most useful taper for 99% of fishing situations. Handling this fly line you will notice the diameter decreases as you move away from the line-leader connection.
- DT = Double Taper - The fly line has the same taper on both the front and back of the fly line. This taper has implications for delicate and demanding situations but is not as versatile as a Weight Forward Fly Line. Most will not find this fly line as easy to use as a Weight Forward Fly Line. Handling this fly line you will notice the diameter increases for a short distance as you move away from the line-leader connection then remains the same until you approach the back end.
- L = Level Taper - The fly line has the same diameter throughout its length. There are limited applications for this fly line. Few companies continue to make level fly fishing lines.
fly line size is determined by the size fly you will be using to catch the fish you are targeting - NOT the size of the fish!
For Bass Rivers (Floating Line) I use a WF-7-F with a 4.5 foot front taper, 14.5 foot front belly, a 13.5 foot front extended belly, rear taper 6.5 foot which gives me a 39 foot head on a 100ft line. This extra line weight in the forward part of the line enables me to turn over large bass flies smoothly and accurately. It has a textured finish that helps me shoot long casts when needed.
smallmouth bass - typical fly sizes - 1/0,2,4,6,8,10
For Bass Rivers (Sinking Tip) I use a WF-7-F/S Sinking Tip Line in which the first 12 feet of the line sinks at 2.5 to 4.25 inches per second. This is a great line for fishing nymphs and streamers in the fast 3 to 5 foot deep runs below riffles and ledges.
For Large Western Trout Rivers and Deep Bass Fishing I use a Teeny 200 shooting head in which the first 24 feet sinks at 5.5 inches per second on a 90 foot long line with a dark green head. I use this line to fish streamers deeply on large western rivers. It also doubles as an excellent smallmouth bass streamer and nymph line when the rivers are high in the spring or cold as they are late in the fall.
For Large Western Trout Rivers (Yellowstone, Madison, Snake, Green, etc.) I use a WF-6-F floating fly line with a 14 foot front taper with a 17.7 foot front belly and a 13.7 rear belly with a 25 foot rear taper in a light green color. This line lets me fish drys as small as size 22 up to streamers as large as a size 6. It casts well in the wind and its hard finish lets me make long casts when needed.
fly sizes - large western trout rivers - 6,8,10,12,14,16,18,20,22
For Eastern Tail Waters and Western Spring Creeks I use a WF-4-F floating line with a 21 foot front taper, subdued color which is designed for accurate and delicate presentations.
typical fly sizes - Eastern tailwater streams and western spring creeks - 10,12,14,16,18,20,22
For Fly Fishing Mountain Trout Streams and Eastern Spring Creeks I use a WF-3-F floating line with a 20 foot front taper, subdued color, which is designed for accurate and delicate presentations.
typical fly sizes - eastern mountain trout streams and eastern spring creeks - 12,14,16,18,20,22,24,26
For Blues, Stripers, Sea Trout, Puppy Drum etc. I use a 9 weight fly line. In moderate conditions I use a Streamer Express Line on which the whole line sinks at 2.25 inches per second. If the tide is pulling hard or I’m fishing water over 10 feet deep I use a Teeny TS 350 in which the first 30ft sinks. These fly lines may or may not have the "WF" designation depending on the manufacturer and details of the fly line.
Typical Fly Sizes - Blues, Stripers, Sea Trout, Puppy Drum - 3/0, 2/0, 1/0, 2
For Bonefish I use a WF-8-F or WF-9-F fly line with a long belly, short rear tape, stiff core and small diameter which helps me make long casts, buck the wind and make accurate presentations.
typical fly sizes - bonefish - 2,4,6,8
