Fly Fishing Gear

Fly Fishing Gear

Types of Fly Line – Part Two

The average fly line is around 30 metres. Each main category of fly line has three further types of fly line. To fish in all situations you will need each type of fly line in your tackle box/bag. The further types are:

Floating Line – This floats on top of the water. It is mainly used for dry fly, nymph fishing and shallow water. It works extremely well when trout are on the surface. This is the line used most. Maintenance is important with this fly line. Warm the line in warm soapy water and rinse thoroughly with cold fresh water. Dry completely and then apply line restorer to prevent cracking of the coating on the line.

Intermediate Line – Use this line for fishing mid-water. When wind conditions push the floating line around on the surface too much, this is the line to use. The intermediate line is great for fishing in shallow water, for fishing lakes from the edge with wet fly or nymph. The line is perfect for fishing river mouths at night.

Fast-Sinking Line – Use this line when fishing deep or fast flowing water. Whenever it is important to get your fly down to the level of the fish, this is the fly line to use.

There are also other types of line, shooting heads, sink tips, nymph tapers, long belly, sink belly and more. The fly lines need to have the end looped to take your leader. A good retail shop will do this for you.

Fly line colours are a debated topic. Some say bright colours frighten fish. Others believe fish have a huge range of vision and that colour has little impact. To be safe it is just as easy to buy a line that is earth-coloured, clear or olive. Sometimes it can be beneficial to use a coloured line so that you can see what you are doing better. More importance needs to be placed on producing good quality casting.