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Choosing the right fly line is as important as the rod, if not more important. There is nothing worse than using a nice rod and reel with a cheap fly line that is not in balance with the rod.
Factors to Consider:
Fly Line Density:
Fly lines are available in various densities: floating, neutral, sink tip, intermediate, slow sinking, fast sinking and very fast sinking. For beginners, choose a floating fly line, the best that you can afford on your budget. Floating lines are easier to cast and lift from the water. A sinking line requires more experience to cast, but can result in more fish at the end of the day as trout often take to deep water (especially if it is sunny) and can feed out of reach of a floating line. If you are boat fishing on the drift, it is often necessary to use a very fast sinking line to get your flies down deep enough to catch. Each sinking line should indicate a sink rate in inches per second.
As you become more experienced, you will learn what additional lines suit the type of fishing that you do. It is normal to buy additional spools for your reel to carry lines of different densities, and many reels are supplied with one or more spare spools or cartridges for this reason. If you don't want to buy a sinking line, greater depths can be fished by attaching a braided sinking leader to your floating line.
Fly Line Weight (#ATFM)
The fly line carries the fly and leader across the water to the feeding fish. The presentation (splash) will depend on the type of line used and the ability of the person casting. The ATFM rating given to a line is a measure of its weight when 30 feet of line is out of the rod. This weight loads the rod when casting (causes it to flex). It is important that the rating of your rod and line match. Many rods will have a rating that covers more than one ATFM, for example #6/8. This indicates that the rod can cast a #6, #7 or #8 line. In this instance it is likely that the rod would be best with a #7 line in the hands of an experienced caster. A heavier line will aid a beginner, so a #8 Weight Forward would be best. A higher ATFM # Rating will cast greater distances but will impact the water with greater disturbance. A lower ATFM # rated line will be more delicate but is harder to cast.
Weight Forward or Double Taper:
A Weight Forward (WF) line carries much of its weight at it tip. It is therefore easier to cast long distances, but will usually cause more disturbance on the water than a DT 'Double Taper' line. A Double Taper (DT) line is thickest at its middle and gets thinner at each end. Although not great for casting long distance, they are preferable for presentation. The other benefit of a Double Taper is that if one end gets damaged, it can be reversed on the reel to extend its useful life.
Fly Line Colour
As an experienced fisherman, I personally like to use a fairly bright floating line in yellow or peach. It is easier to see a bright floating line and can make it easier to detect takes from shy fish. For my sinking lines, I usually go for a green or brown. Having your lines in different colours for different densities will also make it easier for you to identify them from each other. I would also recommend marking your spools with the weight and type of line they contain for reference.
If you can't find the line that you require or would like additional information, please do not hesitate to call or email us.
Other Terminology:
Leader is the material (made of monofilament) located between the fly and fly line.
Tippet is what the fly is tied to (at the end of the leader).
Backing should be added to your spool before the line, to prevent the line from running out if you catch a big fish. It also reduces the memory effect of the line, as it pads the reel and prevents the line from being coiled as tightly.
Leader Loops are a simple way to attach leaders to fly-lines.
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