Fly lines are labeled with a series of letters and numbers. These designate the type of line, taper and thickness. The label might read something like this: DT6F, WF65, ST7 F/S. The number designates the line size and the first two letters designate the line taper or how the line thickness varies along its length. The last letters are for the type of line, whether it is floating or shrinking and for how quickly it sinks.

The average packaged fly line is between 80 and 90 feet in length. The weight distribution in generally tapered. The taper in the line allows for the energy in the line to shoot it forward and to land it lightly on the surface of the water.

The thinnest part of the fly line is at the end where you attach your leader. You want the thinnest part of the line here so it makes the least impact on the surface of the water. The fly line thickens about 30 feet from the end into the ‘belly’. The belly is what is in the air as you are casting. there are a number of tapers and each provide for different fishing situations.

The DT or double taper is very economical as the end of the line mirrors itself. (see illustration) This allows you to reverse the line and re-spool it after it shows wear or is damaged. Double taper line is great for small stream work and roll casting. The thickness of the taper keeps the line from folding in on itself and allows a great soft presentation from a roll cast.

Weight forward or weight forward lines are great for the novice fly fisherman. The weight forward line casts and shoots the line much easier than a double taper (DT). By putting the weight forward, the caster can shoot more line with much less effort. The front taper on the weight forward line allows for delicate, light on the water, presentations.

ST or shooting tapers are used whenever you need a very long cast or when you’re in windy situations. The greatly reduced diameter reduces friction as the line passes through the rod guides and through the air. That’s why its a perfect choice for windy days. Although you can cast further with the ST, its harder to handle the thinner coils of line as they have a tendency to fold on each other and tangle. ST is a great choice for certain conditions.

The most commonly used line type is the floating line or ‘F’. Modern floating lines are able to float because of a hydrophic coating that easily repels water and through technology that creates tiny glass micro-balloons in the coating.

Floating lines are the most commonly used lines because their versatility. You can fish both dry flies and wet flies with this line. Dry flies will float along with the line and wet flies will sink because of their own weight or added weight. You can generally fish several feet below the surface in small streams or pools with floating line. It’s easy to men and reposition floating line. Floating lines are easy to use, here’s why:

• Easy to cast in most situations
• Floating-line can easily be manipulated for mending and repositioning
• Easy to ‘pick up’ off the water for recast
• The high air resistance makes it easier to keep the line up in your back cast

S or sinking-line will help you get your flies down to the fish in a lake or in deep fast running water. Sometimes you need to get your fly down quick and sinking line is the line to use. Sinking line comes in a variety of types and consider the type based on your needs. Your choices are sinking, fast-sinking and extra fast sinking line. Fly lines sink at a rate of 1/2″ to 10″ per second. Pick the type based on your situation:

• S – small streams and deep pools
• FS – larger streams with quick water, lakes
• EFS – fast running water when you need to get the flies down quick, lakes

Choose the S type line based on how quickly you want the line to sink.

Full sinking lines are more difficult to use as you must retrieve most of the line before you recast and you can’t really mend or reposition sinking line. Sinking tip lines are a bit easier to use because only the first 10-20 feet of the line actually sinks, the rest of the line is floating line. The sinking tip can’t get as deep as the full-sinking lines but it can cover most situations you’ll face in small-medium streams and ponds. The floating portion actually allows you to mend and reposition sinking tip line and it makes it easier to retrieve for a recast.

Intermediate
The intermediate fly line is just slightly denser than water so it sinks very slowly. the intermediate line can be used in shallow weedy lake and in windy conditions.Intermediate weight fly lines are a great alternative to sinking fly lines. After you cast, the intermediate line sets just under the surface. This line is so easy to cast that many fly fisherman prefer it over floating line. In fact, you can make intermediate-fly line float just by applying a line dressing.

Fline-Line Color
Pick the color you like because it doesn’t much matter to the fish. Any color of fly-line will case a shadow on the bottom and all look the same to the fish back-lit from the sky. Pick a color that’s easy to see. If you can see the end of your fly line, chances are you can follow it to your fly. You’ll also be able to see it easily against the sky if you need to follow your back-cast.

Backing
Some fly fisherman think backing is just used to backfill the reel so the typical 80-90 feet of fly line will extend to the edge of the spool. While this is true, backing is also used to run fish such as tarpon that can take your fly and run over a hundred yard before slowing down. The best backing is made from braided dacron.