Fly Lines : Fly Line Color & Summary

The Madison River in Montana

There are quite a few colors of fly lines available. Some floating fly lines are bright yellow, others are fluorescent green, and still others are a pumpkin orange. So, with all the fly line colors available, which one should you choose.

For sinking lines, it is generally best to choose a line that is darker in color, such as brown. While this point is open to argument and debate, most anglers seem to conclude that when sub-surface fishing, fish may be less apt to see a darker color fly line than a bright one.

However, for top water or floating lines, the color of the line is generally immaterial as far as the fish goes. Whatever the color of the fly line, when looking up, a fish is bound to see it except for at night (when a dark line may prove beneficial). A fish looking up towards the surface of the water will see the fly line regardless of the color since the line itself is lit up from the light of the sky - and thus casting a shadow over the fish. Since this is generally accepted (although arguments do rage on about this), it is generally best to choose a fly line color that is easy for YOU to see. Brightly colored fly lines are much easier for the angler to see, and seeing the fly line is crucial for successful fly fishing - especially when fly fishing with nymphs. This is especially true in low light conditions, where actually seeing your fly is almost impossible, and the angler must instead rely on the actions of the fly line.

In sum, for top water fly fishing, choose a fly line that is easy for you to see in all lighting conditions. For sub-surface fishing, choose a darker color fly line (most sinking lines are dark in color, so you won't have many choices!).

Fly Line Codes

Now, let's move on to how to decipher the various codes that are found on fly line boxes around the world. Any angler who has looked for fly lines undoubtedly knows that lots of abbreviations and codes are used to identify the fly line. So, here's some examples of how to identify fly lines when looking at them in the store.

• DT-4-F : This code means that the fly line is a double taper fly line, with a weight of 4, and floats
• WF-5-F : This code means that the fly line is a weight-forward taper fly line, with a weight of 5, and floats.
• WF-10-S : This code means that the fly line is a weight-forward taper fly line, with a weight of 10, and is a sinking line. How fast the line sinks (it's sink rate) will be listed on the box.
• DT-7-F/S - This code means that the fly line is a double taper fly line, with a weight of 7, and is a sink-tip fly line. The sink rate of the fly line, as well as how much of the line actually sinks, will be listed on the box.
• L-5-I : This code means that the fly line is a level taper fly line, with a weight of 5, and is an intermediate sinking line. The sink rate of the fly line will be listed on the box.
• ST-6-F : This code means that the fly line is a shooting taper fly line, with a weight of 6, and floats.

Well, that's about it for fly lines. If you need fly line for your new fly fishing rod, be sure to check out our detailed product listings of quality fly lines from Orvis, Cabela's, Cortland and others.

Fly Line Summary

Well, if you've read this far, you should have a good knowledge about fly lines. But, let's sum things up.

1. Fly Line Weight - The weight of a fly line should be the same as the weight of your fly rod and fly reel. Using the wrong weight fly line will unbalance a fly rod, leading to poor casting and long days on the water.
2. Fly Line Taper - The taper of a fly line refers to enhancements made to the fly line to provide better casting. The most popular taper is the weight-forward taper, which is the ideal fly line for beginner. The weight forward taper fly line is also the most versatile line available.
3. Fly Line Density - The density of a fly line refers to whether the line sinks or not. A floating fly line should always be the first line used by beginners as it is the most versatile as well as the easiest to cast. Other fly lines that sink all have their uses, though, so more experienced anglers - especially those that fish in lakes, saltwater or subsurface with nymphs, should also pick up a sinking fly line that meets their fishing needs.
4. Fly Line Color - For topwater fly fishing, get a fly line that is easy for you to see in all fishing conditions.

Fly Lines Overview
Floating Fly Lines
Sinking Fly Lines
Fly Line Care & Cleaning Products

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