Fly lines

[dick tabbert]

In getting ready for next year I was wondering if anybody can give me some advice on different fly lines. When I say different I mean floating, Intermediate, and sinking. I'm still an old newbie to this stuff. I have my fly rods bought don't know when found it in the barn a 4wt and my new rod I bought this spring my 2wt and the one I just purchased a 6wt. I'm hoping I have all my bases covered. I have floating line for each so I guess my question is on the intermediate and sinking fly lines. Taking into consideration I'm still a newbie do we have any suggestions on the other lines at all. Do you think they will work for me or will it be to much of a hassle.

[Allen Morgan]

I got mine from a buddy that made it out of either nylon sewing thread, or 2 lbs test mono.

I've seen some videos myself.  I haven't built a jig yet, but might do that soon.

[Rick King]

Allen - thanks for all the good information. Living on the lake most of my life I have always used a floating DT (double taper) line wt forward on a 8.5' rod with a nine foot leader. I would also use a tapered leader down to 2lb. and only wax the leader to where I wanted it to start sinking. I'm sure that when I move up north and start fishing the Menomonie River for smallmouths I will have to go to a sinking tip only.. I dont want to have to lift allot of sinking line to make a cast if possible.

[Allen Morgan]

Some people will make a "shooting head", adding a section of sinking line to the end of their floating fly line.  Most folks usually use some kind of woven sleeve that slips over both lines.  I don't know how reliable that connection is.

[Donald Schmotzer]

 Hey Dick,  I never broke down and bought a sinking line. I know it takes a good bit of practice to fish one very well. Instead, a friend of mine sent me 12 feet of a heavy sinking braded line. I used about 10 feet of this with just a short piece of tippet and it really works well. I can get a wet fly down a good 6 to 8 feet with this and in the winter months I am convinced it makes a difference. You can see strikes better watching the floating part of the fly line and it is easier to see

a soft "take" than it would be with a sinking fly line....(just a guess, I never fished a full sinking line). I am sure that a little extra depth can help a lot when the water is cold...........(just my $.02)..........Don in SC

If you are interested, I will get in touch with Rob and see if he can tell me where he found the braid he sent me !!!

[dick tabbert]

Thank you Don but you are so vary much ahead of me it ain't funny. I just started fly fishing in the spring with my Cabela 4wt I forgot I had till I found it in the barn I liked it so much bought a 2wt which I really love but a little concerned because I have had the line's striped off more than once with the catfish and hybrid strippers. This winter I bought a 6wt. I may opt out for a 8wt don't know yet but think I will have all my bases covered them. Just started fly tying so I'm enjoying all the things you guys post but much are over my head but hopefully be easier as time goes on. Thanks for your participation I speak for me and others when I say I enjoying it.

[Allen Morgan]

I've mentioned before that I use a Furled Leader.  I have one of my 5wt, that's made out of mono.  It does sink, but slowly.  On my 8wt, I have a flouro Furled leader.  That one sinks more readily than the mono leader.

When I'm fishing dry flies, or small poppers, I usually have to add floatant to my leader to keep it from sinking my bug.

If you go with a leader than it either straight mono, or a tapered leader of different strengths of mono, it should float.  Or, if you make a Furled leader out of thread, I think most of the furlers out there are using Danville 210 denier thread, it will submerge to just below the surface film, but shouldn't go any deeper.

[dick tabbert]

Does the furled leader last longer for us people who love making air knots.

[Allen Morgan]

Yes!  The Furled leader on my 5wt is the same one I got last year.  I typically don't get wind knots in the leader, but will get some in my tippet every now and then.

[dick tabbert]

Thank you Allen I think it might be something to check into.

[Steve Totten]

I'm one of those that use sinking head lines, but my sinking head is two two foot sections of lead core trolling line.  I've used these sections of line for years, because they work for me.  In Michigan's Manistee or Pine rivers I use both sections together, any less current than that I use one of them, any more than that I stay away.  I connect the sections loop to loop to my fly line and leader.  And yes, they're a bi%&* to cast.

[dick tabbert]

Thanks Steve but what your telling me is way over my head. So far I'm using floating line since I just got started.  I can see how the lead core works but I think its a little early for me to attack weighted lines but its in the back of my head cause I know every fish doesn't feed 100 percent of the time on the surface. Thanks for the info Steve.