The fly line is the key of fly fishing. The line provides the weight for casting and carries the fly to the target and delivers it. In some sense, a good quality is more important than a good rod because it is always easy to adjust the casting stroke to accommodate fly rod differences, but would be frustrating if the fly line don’t follow the guides or carry the fly properly. So how to choose the right line for the fish you try to catch?

 

First, we want to know what types of fly lines are available. Lines vary in thickness throughout the length of the fly line to accomplish different goals. By that standard, the lines are divided into three categories, level line, double taper line and Weight forward line. Level line, as the name suggests, does not change thickness and is also very affordable. The setback is the level line is hard to cast. The common mistake a beginner makes is choosing a level line because of the cheap price but then fails to cast the line. A double taper line tapers at both ends. The middle section provides the weight for casting. The double taper line is very accommodating and used with both wet and dry flies. It is commonly used when casting shorter distances. One good thing about the double taper line is it can be reversed after one end wears out. So it is like buy one get one free deal. Weight forward line typically has a short, fine front taper, followed by a heavier body section that provides the weight for casting. The body section is in turn followed by a more slender section of line known as the shooting line. The weight in the forward part of this line helps the fly-fisher make long casts while the fine front taper aids in delicate presentation of flies.

 

When you look for the fly line in local sporting goods store, you might see the code marked on the line. That coding system was introduced by the American Fishing Tackle Manufacturers Association (AFTMA). These nominal weights ranged from 60 grains (one pound = 7000 grains) for a 1-weight, to 210 grains for an 8-weight, 380 grains for a 12-weight, etc. The first 30 feet of an 8-weight line thus weighs about half an ounce. Here is AFTMA Standard Line Weight Chart.

 

 

 

AFTMA also defined the taper types as weight-forward (WF), double-taper (DT), shooting taper (ST) or level(L) and the density aspects as floating (F), sinking(S) and intermediate(I). The first series of letters marked on the line stand for the line taper: level-L, weight forward-WF, and double taper-DT. The number is the line weight and the last letter is the density – floating (F) or sinking (S). So a manufacturer’s code stating WF5F is a weight forward, 5 weight floating line.

 

 

 

Sink Fly Fishing Line	Floating Fly Fishing Line

 

As you can see from the AFTMA standards, the main characteristics of fly fishing line are its weight, its taper, and its density. Each characteristic has its own purpose: the weight is used for proper rod matching, the taper to fit your casting preferences, and the density will determine the line floats or sinks.

 

The higher the line number is, the heavier the line and the better it will cast large flies. In most case, the first ting you need to consider when choosing a fly line is the flies you will be casting. Remember, it is the fly line that carries the fly. If the line doesn’t have enough weight to carry the fly through the air, casting won’t be easy. Very light lines, of say 0- to 4-weight, are suitable for small streams and small flies, typically up to about size 12 hooks. 5-6-weight lines are the most commonly used sizes for most fresh water conditions and fish sizes and well with flies on hooks up to about size 8. Line weights 7-9 are generally used in large streams, river and windy conditions and cast fish such as bonefish, bass, steelhead, stripers and other mid-size fish and with flies up to about size 1/0. Lines 10-weight and heavier are reserved for big fish, and often big flies. The rods that match these lines are stiff and powerful and are capable of throwing these heavy lines long distances, and they carry big flies well.

 

The next thing to consider is the fish you will be catching. The type of fish you plan to catch has a crucial impact on your choice. After all, the purpose of all your selections is to catch the fish. For example, tarpon flies are typically not very big or hard to cast — most could be easily cast with a 7- or 8-weight rod and line. But landing a one-hundred-pound tarpon on one of those medium-sized rods would be a challenge, so a much stiffer rod is normally used. Others examples are warm water species like pike, muskie, or largemouth bass. While most bass can be easily landed on a 6-weight rod, the flies anglers cast for bass are often very large and wind-resistant. An 8- or 9-weight rod takes the work out of the casting without being truly out of scale with the fish.

 

The climactic condition should also be taken into consideration. For example, bonefish flies are in general small and the fish is not very big. In normal condition, 5 or 6 weight rods and lines will be sufficient. But a heavier 7 or 8 weight lines will be a better choice if the angler needs to cast in a windy condition.

 

Temperature is another important factor to consider. In very hot, tropical weather, plastic-coated (PVC) lines can become quite soft — causing them to tangle more — and limp, causing them to not shoot well. Many lines are designed specifically for tropical heat, with harder coatings and stiffer cores that perform best in the temperature ranges found on bonefish, tarpon, or permit flats. On the other hand, these same lines become stiff and wiry when weather is cold, so don’t make the mistake, for example, of trying to use a specialty bonefish line while fishing for stripers in cold weather.

 

Here are some fly fishing lines for sale on eBay.