Doing Some Trout Fly Fishing --- Know Your Line Options

You go to the sports store in your area. You have heard that people are having success doing some trout fly fishing. You go over to see the trout fishing flies and then it hits you. Hey, these things are weightless! How am I going to cast them across the stream? After hiding the hint of a smile, the sports store "expert" now shows you that the fly line is what carries your fly to your trout. If he's good he will go on and explain the following.

Fly line density is the technical term here. Density refers to whether the fly line will float or sink; and, if it sinks, how deep and how fast.

There are five densities available; the floating line, sink-tip line, intermediate sinking line, sinking line or fast-sinking line.

FLOATING LINE

The floating line does precisely as named - it floats. Perceived as the easiest to cast and a mandatory first for beginning fly fishing anglers, the floating fly line is undoubtedly the most popular. This is the preferred line when fishing with dry flies; and is also used with streamers and nymphs. The goal of the fisherman using dry flies is to mimic an insect that is on the surface of the stream.

Unlike dry flies, streamers and nymphs come in a variety of weights which allows them to sink slightly and then we pulled to the surface when retrieved. Again, this movement is designed to look like the aquatic food of the trout with its natural shape and movement and thus provokes a nice trout to "get his dinner".

SINK-TIP LINE

The sink-tip line is the second most popular as it combines both a floating and sinking line. The first 10-30 feet of line sink while the remainder of the fly will continue to float.

Nymphs and streamers are used with the sink-tip line as it takes these flies deeper but allows them to come easily to the surface when retrieved. The feeding depth of the trout may cause you to use this line as it will help you put the trout's meal in his feeding zone.

INTERMEDIATE SINKING LINE

An intermediate sinking line will sink completely but at a slower rate than a normal sinking line. This line is chosen when you want your fly to sink slowly. This is a very good line to use when the fish are at varying levels and you want your fly to look natural as it descends.

SINKING LINE

The sinking line descendes at a uniform rate fairly quickly. The rate of descent varies from two inches per second to ten inches per second. This line is used because you know the trout are feeding deep and you want to get down to them.

FAST SINKING LINE

Finally, a fast sinking line sinks like a stone, as the name suggests. This line is also designed and manufactured to sink at varying faster rates. This is the line of choice when you want to get your fly really deep; really fast.

FLY LINE COLOR

At this point, probably the only other thing to mention is the color of the fly line. When you go looking for fly line you will find it in a variety of colors.

Floating line color is a personal choice and you will see bright yellows and oranges being the predominant choices. If fish are deep, the water is dark and therefore sinking lines are also dark so they are not seen by the fish. The fish are less likely to see the darker line than a bright one.

If you are using a floating line you can select the color you feel is easiest for you to see. The reason for this is that the fish will notice the floating line, regardless of its color. On the end of the floating line you attach a clear line called a tippet. The tippet is usually around eight to ten feet in length. The fish will see the floating colored line but it will be too far away from the fly to cause concern.

Okay, enough talk about what and how; pick up your rod and reel; go get your line and flies and get out there and catch some trout. Here's to you yelling "Fish On!"

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