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.

Set aside a few days to get to know the river. This stream can humble the best fishermen. With out a guide or a week to learn how the stream and the fish work you may go home without a trophy picture.  The second reason to stay a few days is that the weather is sure to change and that can make all the difference. Thirdly, it takes days to completely let the wild river wash away that entire residue of civilization locked up inside from work and real life.     

A weather example: I fished three days in a row the first days of 2009. Day one, I fished with a national fly fishing tournament member and we both were skunked.  Day two, Fished with my little brother in law and caught two bows but had to work for them. Day three, I was fishing by myself and caught ten fish in about two hours. Now, on the third day the weather was changing. The fish went bonkers. I’m not sure if it was the weather but in past experience this has been that case.

An example of being freed by the river: In October I planned a trip for seven of my good friends and family. We spent 3 days fishing the North Fork and 3 days fishing the Eleven Point River. When our time was up I forgot where I was in life. I felt like I was on drugs for a week and was on cloud nine.  Now I have been on the river a lot! But never have I had such a great time as a week long trip with my friends and forgot every care in the world.  I can’t wait to do that trip again!

So next time your down at the North Fork take some time, enjoy your surroundings, and never rate a trip by the number of fish you catch you will always be disappointed. Remember if you don’t have the time that is where the guide steps in to tell you what pattern the river is in that day, help you notice the singing wood thrush in the trees, and make your trip the best ever. 

Have a good time on the water and say hi, if you see a longboat floating down steam.    

Rosebud Creek - Fishtail, Montana

We flew into Billings on our way to Bozeman for a quick 3 days of fly fishing.  We stopped on the way, just south of Columbus, Montana in a little town called Fishtail.  We stopped in the Fishtail General Store to ask directions to the Stillwater River access points and one of the locals suggested we fish Rosebud Creek.

Just past the Fishtail General Store is a fishing access road to the Rosebud Creek.  This area has a really nice campground and great water for wading.  In just an hour I caught two rainbows and a brownie.  The rainbows were about 10 inches and the brownie 14.  The rainbows were taken on a hopper and the brownie on a nymph dropper.

I would recommend the Rosebud.

I just started fly fishing about 6 years ago.  I’ve been a “bait” fisherman since I was a kid…almost 50 years.  I always liked fishing but fishing from a bank or from a boat was okay…but not special.  I bought a fly rod and a some flies in 1996 and packed them into the grand canyon on a hike I was doing to Phantom Ranch.  In the past, I had used night crawlers and lures to catch fish in Bright Angel Creek and theColorado River.  But this year I wanted to see what fly fishing was all about.  I bought a “package” rod/reel/line.  I stopped at the local flyfishing store and asked what I should use.  They recommended a “blue winged olive”…what the hell was that….turns out it is an awesome fly…I didn’t know it at the time.

I hiked to Phantom Ranch on the Kiabab Trail and was surprised to find many hikers asking me how the fishing was in the Canyon.  Frankly, I didn’t know what to say.  I had always fished with night crawlers and lures and didn’t really know what this new fly fishing  would do.  As the people that I passed were hiking out, I said, “Fishing is AWESOME in the Canyon”, “Didn’t you catch anything while you were down?”

Finally, I go to Phantom Ranch around lunch time.  I checked in and dropped my gear in the dorms.  It was about  late October and I hiked down to Bright Angel Creek.  I hiked up the trail towards the North Rim from Phantom Ranch.   About 20 minutes into my hike I noticed a nice pool.  I stopped and set up my rig…light weight pole and line with a 9′ leader and about a 4′ tippet.  I tied on a Blue Winged Olive and let ‘er fly.  No sooner than the fly hit the water than a “huge” rainbow hit the fly and not only was the trout hooked, but I was too.

Ever since then, I’ve been hooked on fly fishing.  I’ve read as much as I can and asked questions to  fly fisherman until I reached the point where they were getting annoyed.

Fly fishing is such a relaxing endeavor.  It relaxes the body and the soul.  It doesn’t really matter if you catch any fish.  Just the fact that you are on the water in a beatiful place is all that matters.  Imagine an early morning in September on the Missouri River in Montana.  The temperature is 50 degrees.  There is a “fog” on the water, I’m cold and the drift boat is just starting to move through the water.  I cast to the shore line and bam, I’ve got a great hit…20″ rainbow.  As I reel in this awesome fish I look around…mountains, colbalt blue sky, riffling water, meadows and I feel a slight breeze….I know that I’m out in the middle of “nature” and it’s such an awesome feeling.  I’d rather be fly fishing than almost anywhere.  The feeling I get when the water rushes by when I’m deciding on where to place my fly on a rushing river or when I hook into a huge rainbow cannot be duplicated.

Flyfishing is such a different sport…try it, you’ll be hooked.

The summer in Montana has been extremely hot with very little rain.  In fact, many of the rivers had limited access for fisherman.  Anyway, we tried to see if we might catch some trout.

We fished hoppers; spanking the bank, nymphs with droppers of pheasant tails and copper johns, a dry and a nymph and various other combinations to no avail.  We only caught a few fish that were very small.

I’d love to find out from others if this is unusual based on the time of year and the weather or if we were doing something wrong with our approach.

The active temperature range for trout.

Trout are most active and likely to be feeding in water that ranges from 40 degrees to 60 degrees F.  If the water is colder or hotter, the trout become lethargic, sluggish or dormant.  And, they become much harder to entice with your flies.

In the Summer of ’07, Montana experienced an extended period of temperatures in the high 90’s and even 100’s which caused the river and lake temperatures to rise above 70 degrees causing restrictions and closures.  When the water get too hot, trout will become less active and slow down in feeding.

The warmer water contains less oxygen for the trout and causes them to be less active.  You won’t find trout feeding on the surface with temperatures outside the “active range”.  During these times, trout move to areas where there is more aeration such as below waterfalls, riffles, rapids and run outs.  The aeration provides more oxygen and helps make the trout more comfortable.  So if it’s hot

and you want to catch more trout, here’s what you can do.  Cast your fly where the trout lie. Hit the riffles, run outs and rapids and also areas where the wind is whipping across the surface.

Another thing to try is a sinking tip fly line.  The mistake I made fishing the upper Yellowstone this summer was using a floating fly line the entire time.  A sinking tip allows you to get your nymph dropper deeper – where the trout are when it’s hot.

Lesson learned:  fish during the active temperature range for trout which is normally in the spring or fall depending on the location so you can be assured of the right combination of water temperature and rich oxygenation.  Get your fly close and deep by fishing the right areas and right depth.