What is Floating Fly Line
Floating fly line is designed to float on the surface of the water. This will allow the fly fisher to present a dry fly to fish that are feeding on or near the surface. In most cases floating fly lines are made with a plastic coating that covers a braided core. The line comes in numerous weights and tapers for many different fishing conditions and species. Floating fly line is easy to cast and control, it provides a visual reference which makes it easy to see the fish strike. There are a few things to think about when choosing the line like; the size and weight of the fly rod, the type of fishing, and the species of fish.
What is fly line
Fly line is a special style of fishing line only used for fly fishing to help cast a fly. Fly line is made from either PVC, a polyurethane coated line over braided or monofilament core. It is made to float on the surface or sink to a specific depth depending on its density.
Fly lines are categorized by their weight that range from 1 to 14. The lighter weight lines are (1-3) and used for small streams and delicate presentations, (4-6) are medium and good general purpose lines, while heavier lines (7-14) are designed for larger fish and heavier flies. The weight of the line should match the weight of the fly rod being used, in order to achieve optimal casting performance.
A few other classifications are: Floating, Sinking, Taper, Weight Forward, and Spey. If you know what you’ll be fishing for, the basic idea is to match the line to fly rod weight.
Choosing the right fly line
Having the right fly line is an imperative step if you want to be a successful fly fisher. Lets go over a few things that need to be considered when choosing the right fly line:
Fly rod weight: The weight of the fly line needs to match the weight of the fly rod. The fly rod weight is specifically designed for the fly line weight.
Fishing environment: You’ll want to know where you are going to be fishing. Is it freshwater, saltwater, small streams, rivers, lakes, or in the ocean? These different situations require different lines. Fish species and size: Consider the fish species you are targeting and their size. Larger fish species require heavier lines to handle their weight and strength.
Fly type and size: Are you throwing a dry fly, wet fly, popper, large hair bugs or a heavy ocean setup. Having the right lines will improve your fishing capabilities.
Line taper: Line taper affects how the line casts and how the fly is delivered. Weight-forward (WF) lines are the most common and versatile, being used for a wide range of fishing situations. Double-taper (DT) lines work best for delicate presentations in smaller streams.
Line density: Line density affects how each fly line acts. Floating lines, the most common are used for dry fly fishing. Sinking lines work for nymph and streamer fishing.
Budget: There are many different prices when looking for a fly line. High-quality lines are expensive but they are durable and perform better over time.
With this information you’ll be able to have a successful day the next time you go fly fishing.
