Fly line is the underappreciated member of the fly fishing gear trinity. Rods and reels get all the hype. A lot of that is deserved. But your rod is really only as good as you can cast it – and you can’t cast it without fly line.
“Any old fly line will work” isn’t a good mantra. The reality is, good fly lines run from $60-$120 dollars. That is a fraction of a fly rod. Finding the right line and then taking care of it is as important as anything else.
Improving your casting distance and accuracy might be a lot easier and economical than buying a new, top-of-the-line line. Cleaning helps a lot; you just have to do it and do it right. Finding a line you love and grabbing a replacement when it is on sale is a great idea. Or, finding that a new (maybe top-of-the-line) line could very well make enough difference to warrant a purchase.
Here are the benefits of all three approaches, along with a video where I go into more details:
Clean
Fly line gets dirty at the microscopic level. The tiny junk that clings to the coating can reduce buoyancy and slow down line speed as it travels through the guides. Also, as it builds up it can cause abrasions and even deep cracking.
Gentle dish soap, warm water, and a clean rag will clean your line. A line care product will clean it, as well as lubricate and even repair small damages in the coating. This should be done yearly, at a minimum. If the water you fish is particularly dirty, you drop your reel in debris, or it looks/feels different, clean it as needed.
Replace
If a line gets damaged enough, it should be replaced. Fly lines won’t last forever. Everything from use to UV exposure will lead to cracks. Cracks hurt casting and float-ability. If line care only lasts a trip or two, replace your line.
Once you find a line you like, keep an eye on sales. As manufacturers come out with new products nearly every year, you might get a great deal on the line that casts great with your rod and your stroke. Having an inexpensive backup will come in handy within a few years.
Upgrade
Technology moves incrementally. That means it is probably difficult to ascertain the differences between models that release back-to-back. But wait a few cycles and you will be impressed.
Fly line technology is no different. Materials are the most important element. Abrasion resistance, temperature tolerance, and slickness are some legitimate advancements. Tapers, grain weight, and other variations on classic formulas are worth paying attention to as well. A new line isn’t going to revolutionize your cast. But a new line might make it better and easier enough to warrant an upgrade.
Check out some more thoughts, and some casting exercises with cleaned, replaced, and upgraded line in this video:
Here are links to the gear I used in the video:
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