What is the Best Fly/February 2011
There are 3 basic fly line types, floating, intermediate sinking and fast sinking. Fly lines also come in 2 variations, double taper and weight forward. The weight forward line is more popular because it shoots much better for making longer casts.
Floating lines are the mainstay for the dry fly trout anglers, for sight casting in shallow water and for any top water fishing or for fishing flies just below the surface. Floating lines are perhaps the most versatile lines for a majority of our freshwater fishing. They are also more fun to fish because much of the action is visual. When working on casting techniques floating lines are easier to see in the air and casting flaws will will show up much better. Also you cannot get away with sloppy technique like you can with a sinker. The intermediate sinking line is the workhorse for 60% to 80% of the northeast saltwater anglers. For blind casting along sheltered beaches, to fishing inside estuaries, to shallow rips and outflows this line fills the bill. It is also ideal when fishing light surf from Maine to Texas for stripers, blues, reds, snook and jacks. Intermediates are very popular for stillwater trout fishing and effective for sight casting in strong winds and to reach fish that are holding or cruising in water from 4 to 6 feet deep.
Fast sinking lines are a necessary evil. They are more difficult to cast and much harder to lift from the water when making a backcast than floaters or intermediates. However, they are effective fishing tools once you learn how to use them. The best sink-lines have a 25 to 30 foot fast sinking head and a running line that is intermediate density. And the rear taper should be at least 8 feet long. Often fast sinking lines are the only way to fish heavy rolling surf, deep, fast rips and sharp drop-offs. They work well for making quick casts to fast-moving-surface-feeding fish like bluefin, albies and bonito. Fast sinking lines in smaller sizes, 150 to 250 grains, really shine when fishing rips 5 to 10 feet deep because they reach the prime feeding level quickly and cast with little effort. They are also effective for many freshwater fish like bass that are holding in deeper locations and for trout or steelhead in deeper lies in fast streams when getting the fly down fast is essential.
For casting into the wind both intermediate and fast sinking lines will cut through the air easier than a floater. The thinner diameter combined with more weight punches into wind with less effort. For casting into strong wind the fast sinking line is the best choice.
Regards,
Lou Tabory and the Albright Pro Staff
