Fly fishing line is one of the most important parts of a fly fishing setup, and it can be hard to know what to buy. There are a lot of different options based on the preferences of the individual angler, so it’s a good idea to know what you’re looking for before you shop.
There is a huge variety when it comes to fly fishing lines. They can be made from different materials, have different actions, and have different diameters, so it’s important to think about what you’re looking for before you start shopping.
Here’s what you need to know when shopping for fly fishing line.
Our Editor’s Best Fly Fishing Line Reviews
- Longer Taper and Bigger Diameter: The additional weight and thickness in the initial 30-33 feet of the fly line facilitate a quick load on the leader line, resulting in smooth casts at great distances and ensuring accuracy even in windy conditions
- High Quality and Environmental Protection: The braided core, designed for lower memory, provides you with an excellent fly fishing experience in any weather condition. The 100% Phthalate-Free PVC layer improves the smoothness and strength of the fly fishing line, enhancing environmental protection
- Enhanced Welded Loop: The sleek and enhanced welded loop in the new design facilitates quick and easy leader attachment, transferring energy more efficiently for improved turnover. The two-color fly line features two exposed core loops, aiding in fast rigging to both the leader and backing line
- Versatility: The fly fishing line is corrosion-resistant, making it suitable for use in freshwater and saltwater. It is suitable for fishing trout, snook, redfish, salmon, carp, steelhead, bass
- User Friendly Design; You can easily distinguish the front and end of the fly line with the hint label 'THIS END TO REEL.' The user-friendly design and versatile line make it a good choice for all-around trout fishing—whether for beginners or experts
- PREMIER GOLD: The RIO Premier Gold has been the go-to Trout line around the world for many years, and for a multitude of fly fishers. The line has a long head and back taper that give casters total line control and stability at range - whether casting or mending.The unique profile is designed to load a fly rod at close range, and has a front taper that delivers perfect presentation of flies between sizes #22 and #2.
- FEATURES: RIO’s Dualtone marks the sweet spot of a fly line by providing an obvious color change in the line at the sweet spot, while RIO’s Easyrid printed line marking system allows anglers to quickly and easily identify each line. Front & Back Welded Loops, a streamlined, bulletproof loop welded at the front of the fly line for fast and easy rigging and another at the end of the fly line for fast rigging to backing.
- TECHNOLOGIES: RIO’s MaxFloat tip technology is a high float coating that floats more than twice as high as regular fly line tips, without any increase in diameter, while SlickCast creates the slickest, most durable coating on the market, producing the least amount of friction ever measured on a fly line.
- FRESHWATER FLY LINES: We have a fantastic selection of the highest quality freshwater fly lines, designed to optimize your time on the water. All of our freshwater fly lines are designed to excel at required casting and fishing needs and feature cutting-edge technology for maximum versatility and performance. Make the cast of your dreams with RIO's freshwater fly lines.
- PASSION & INNOVATION: For more than 20 years, RIO has demonstrated passion, innovation and a pure love for the sport through its development of the industry's highest performance fly lines. And the great news is, we will continue to research, design and refine our products to ensure they are your preferred line of choice for years to come.
- PERFECT TROUT LINE for beginner or budget anglers, the Clearwater is a great value and excellent all-around line to meet the demands of general fly fishing
- WEIGHT-FORWARD TAPER gives loop stability at distance for improved projection and accuracy for your trout flies, with a 40-foot head length, 4-foot rear taper, 31-foot belly, and 5-foot front taper
- FRONT WELDED LOOP and a multifilament core for cool to moderate water conditions
- ORVIS IS DEDICATED to making high-quality fly fishing accessories for new anglers and veterans, and the versatile Clearwater Fly Line (2ZKE) is perfect for beginners and anglers on a budget, delivering the best quality for its price in general fly fishing use
- COMMON SEARCH TERMS: fishing line, fly fishing accessories, fly rod, fly fishing rod,fly line, fly fishing reel, fly fishing line, fly fishing leader, fly line backing, fly leader, trout flies, fly fishing leaders, fly fishing flies trout
- Smooth and balanced, a great fly fishing line for the budget fisherman - whether beginners or experts
- Casting wise and floating well, HERCULES fly lines for fly fishing adding distance with accuracy to your casts and easy to lift from the surface
- Double Welded Loops on both the front and back of the tapered fly line that make attaching fly line backing and fly leaders quick and easy
- Built on a supple memory-free braided multifilament core and features a super slick coating that delivers perfect presentation even in windy conditions
- True to size on the fly rod and fly reel, help you present each trout flies exactly how you want it to
- Line Combo: Includes 1pc of WF5F fly line, 1pc of backing 20lb 100yds, tapered leaders 9ft 3x, 4x, 5x, 1pc of tippet 4X, and 2pcs of 30lb loop connectors
- Delivers accuracy for any distance and skill level for all around fishing situation
- High-tech PVC coating outside of the braided line ensures flotation and durability in any weather condition
- Braided Core for lower memory and lower stretch for better Hook-up
- Long head design allows for better line management and helps transfer energy more efficiently to the leader
- Size for You: WF5F, 100FT.
- Premium Material: Fly fishing line special taper design and different core cover formulations make for a consistent, precise, and accurate cast under any condition.
- Precise Cast: Weight-forward line is helpful to long casts and better precision even in windy conditions (with welded loops).
- Practical color: Green/Pink/Sky Blue/Moss Green/Lemon Green/Mint Green/Fluo Yellow, a variety of colors for you to choose from, meet different needs, providing all-around visibility as conditions change during the fishing session, so anglers can see the line, presentation, and takes.
- Easy Replacement: Economical wrap, no spools, convenient to replace.
- Enhanced Line Control: Long head design allows for better line management and helps to transfer energy efficiently to the leader. Provides smoother, more controlled performance, especially when casting at longer distances
- Durable Construction: PVC layer outside the braided line, high-tech coating for dependable floatation and durability. Braided core for lower memory for any weather conditions and any distance, even in windy conditions. Built to withstand rigorous fishing conditions, ensuring long-lasting reliability on the water
- Two Welded Loops: Featured with welded loops at both ends for easy attachment to backing and leaders without the need for knots, saving time on the water and allowing for smoother casts and easier line changes. Also, welded loops reduce friction as the line passes through the rod guides, which can improve casting distance and accuracy
- Versatile Applications: This Weight forward floating fly line delivers accuracy for any distance and for all around trout fishing-whether beginners or experts
- Variety of Color/Size Choices: Available in WF1, WF2, WF3, WF4, WF5, WF6, WF7, WF8, weights, in length of 100ft. Besides, the high visibility colors allow anglers to easily track the movement of fish
- AVID SERIES TROUT: RIO's Avid series of fly lines were developed for the keen fly fisher with tapers and technology that enhance the fly fishing experience.
- FLOATING FLY LINE: Floating lines in the Avid series come in RIO's two most popular and proven tapers, the Gold and the Grand.
- FLY PRESENTATION: The Avid Gold is ideal for the angler who prefers smaller flies and more delicate presentations while the Avid Grand is better suited to anyone fishing larger flies where powerful turnover is more important.
- EASY CASTING: Both lines are built with RIO's SlickCast technology for unmatched slickness and durability allowing the fly line to slip smoothly through the rod guides.
- FRESHWATER FLY LINES: We have a fantastic selection of the highest quality freshwater fly lines, designed to optimize your time on the water. All of our freshwater fly lines are designed to excel at required casting and fishing needs and feature cutting-edge technology for maximum versatility and performance. Make the cast of your dreams with RIO's freshwater fly lines.
- Rio's mainstream series of fly lines have been developed to Meet the overall needs of the average and novice fly Fisher
- Every mainstream line undergoes the same rigorous production processes and quality control standards as all Rio fly lines, and is made in rio's Idaho manufacturing facility
- All fly lines are made with pride in our Idaho Fall facility
- Designed to optimize rod performance with slightly heavier and shorter head lengths
- Each saltwater line is built with a hard, saltwater coating for the best in performance
Best Fly Fishing Line Buying Guide
Before choosing the best fly fishing line you should consider following options:
1. Fly Tying Materials: In addition to the fly line, you’ll need some extra materials to tie and fish the flies you select. These include:
Hooks: The most important part of any fly, the hook is what fisherman use to catch fish. There are several different types of hooks, but the main ones used in fly fishing are:
Barbless: Also called “ultra” or “sharp” hooks, these are designed to be used for fish that you don’t want to keep, such as for fly fishing in aquariums.
Mustad and Venerable: These are the standard hooks used for fly fishing.
Leaders: The leader is the section between the fly line and the fly itself. They are used to connect the fly and fly line and act as a shock absorber and fish attractor. Leaders are measured by their pound test, which represents the breaking strength of the leader.
There are several different types of leaders, but the most popular are tapered leaders, which are popular for their minimal water disturbance.
They are also popular for their ability to cast longer distances and their ease of replacement if needed.
You can also use tapered leaders with different types of fly lines, including sink tips and intermediate sink tips.
2. Flies: While some fishermen always keep a few flies in their vest for any situation, others like to keep a wide variety of flies on hand.
This is especially true for those who want to catch different types of fish. You should keep a variety of dry flies, nymphs, streamers, and wet flies, depending on what you want to catch.
How many flies you’ll need will depend on several factors, such as how long of a stretch you’re fishing and what fish you want to catch.
In general, you’ll need several dozen flies to be prepared for most situations.
3. Leaders: Leaders are used to connect the fly line and fly to the fish you want to catch. The type of leader you use will depend on what type of fish you want to catch, but in most cases, an 8 to 12 foot tapered leader is ideal.
4. Tippets: Tippets are shorter leaders used to connect the fly to the fish. They are typically used when fishing smaller fish, so if the fish breaks the fly line, they won’t break the tippet.
Tippets are measured by their diameter, so they are often called gauge leaders.
5. Bobbin: While not absolutely necessary, a bobbin is a good way to store your extra leaders and tippets.
6. Scissors: Scissors are an important tool to have with you while fly fishing. You will use them to cut your line if you need to change your fly or if the fish gets away.
You will also use them to cut off the tag on your fly line, which is the end of the line that is designed to help you get your fly out of the reel.
7. Forceps: Forceps are another tool that is helpful when fly fishing. They are used to remove hooks from fish and to lift the flies off the water when you’re not fishing.
8. Backpack: While not essential, many fisherman say that a good backpack is essential for fly fishing.
It’s important to have a way to carry all of your equipment and supplies,
What else you should know about fly fishing line
1. What is the best fly fishing line for a beginner?
For a beginner, the best fly fishing line is a basic weight-forward floating line.
2. What are the different types of fly fishing line?
The different types of fly fishing line are monofilament, braided, and furled.
3. What are the pros and cons of different types of fly fishing line?
The pros and cons of different types of fly fishing line depend on the type of fishing you are doing. For example, if you are fishing in a river with a lot of current, you might want to use a heavier line so that it does not get swept away. If you are fishing in a lake with little to no current, you might want to use a lighter line so that you can cast your line further.
4. How do you properly care for fly fishing line?
Fly fishing line should be stored in a cool, dry place. It should be cleaned and lubricated regularly, and replaced when it becomes frayed or damaged.
5. How often should you replace fly fishing line?
Most anglers replace their fly fishing line at the beginning of each season.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best fly fishing line. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best fly fishing line will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.