Fly Line: Selection, Maintenance & Setup

Does The Fly Line Matter?

While choosing a fly rod is important, it is the fly line that delivers the fly.  The most expensive premium fly rods will perform poorly with mismatched lines.  Even suitable lines eventually wear out and function poorly.  In short, your fly rod needs a properly matched fly line in good condition.  Without one, your fly fishing time will not be nearly as much fun or productive.

How long does a fly line last?  It depends on how much you use it.  I have some sinking lines that only get used occasionally during a season.  They are good for many years.  My floating lines get changed out more frequently and sometimes more than once.  If you only fish a hand full of times, you are probably good for several seasons if your line is cared for.

How Do You Take Care Of A Fly Line?

How do you care for a fly line?  Fly lines will work best and perform longer if they are washed and lubricated after heavy use.  To clean my lines, I strip them into a sink full of warm soapy water, run them through a towel or cleaning pad and then apply a line dressing.  A clean line is slicker to cast and if it is a floating line, it will float better.

So now that you realize a new line or two is in order for the coming season.  What are the choices?

These days, fly line selection can be confusing.  It used to be that anglers could only choose between double tapers and weight forward floating lines or full sinking and sinking tip fly lines.

Now we have a vast number of differing tapers, textures, tip lengths, coatings and densities to choose from: How about a clear line or one that’s smoke colored? What if you have a fiberglass fly rod?

Do you want a line that’s floating, sinking, density compensated, intermediate or hover?  How about stretch vs. no stretch?  We also have spey, switch, Skagit, scandi, coated running lines and mono running lines.  To those we can add Versi Tips, Mow Tips, Custom Cuts and Poly Leaders.

Unsure of what you need?  Start your search here.