On it’s own, fly line doesn’t have a lot going for it. You can’t play with it like you can a rod or reel. It weighs in at only a few ounces. Of all the purchases you can make, it probably is one of the least glamorous.

But it might be the most important.

Good fly line will provide an instant upgrade to your distance, accuracy, and presentation. And you get all of that for less than $50. Good fly line is only slightly more expensive than great fly line. You only need to know what you need.

Today I’m sharing a video, an article, and a podcast on fly line. Each explores a different aspect of choosing what to do with the piece of gear that makes fly fishing what it is.

Check out links to all three posts below:

Fly Line: Clean, Replace, or Upgrade?

“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.

Small Stream Fly Line: More Than Flicks & Flips

On a small stream, the right cast is rarely of the 10-o’clock/2-o’clock variety. Roll casting might even be a luxury. Often times you’re shooting line that you’ve simply picked up from the previous drift. Usually this is done with a compact back cast. The result is a compact, spey-like maneuver that keeps you out of the trees while still putting the fly in the right place with some accuracy. You don’t always need the accuracy for the fish’s sake, but because the water you’re aiming for might only be a few feet wide.

This is all possible with effort and experience. This is all much more accessible and enjoyable with the right line.

Podcast Ep. 8: Fly Line – More Important than You Think

Sadly, fly line is the piece of gear that lives in the shadow of the stars of the show: rods and reels.

But for most fly fishers, line is much more important than a reel. For all anglers, fly line is much more important than we give it credit for.

In this episode I talk about how line can save you money, improve your casting, and get your fly in front of more fish.