There are many different components that work together to create a fly fishing setup. The fly choice, rod, reel, and even what goes on the reel are all important aspects that anglers should understand and consider when deciding what to use when they head out fishing
In this post we’ll discuss the different lines you’ll need, how they work, what they do, and how to choose the best one for you.
Understanding Fly Fishing Lines
Unlike traditional fishing setups which use the weight of the lure or bait to cast and send the line out, fly fishing does the opposite. Because flies are so light, fly anglers use the weight of the fly line to load the rod, which in turn creates the power to cast the fly.
Often when you hear about fly lines, it will be in specific reference to the part of the setup that gives the setup its casting ability – but there are other parts to the setup that are important as well.
The first piece of equipment and “line” is the backing. The backing can be made of different components and is the first part connected to the reel. Next, the backing is attached to the fly line itself, and finally, the fly line is connected to the leader and/or tippet that is used to tie on the line. For certain fishing applications, anglers may also choose to use a sink tip that will be between the fly line and the tippet.
We’ll break down in more detail each part of this, and what types are most useful in Idaho.
Backing Options for Idaho Fly Fishing
As mentioned above, this is the material that is tied directly on to the reel itself. It will be the longest part of the line and allows fish to run farther without spooling an angler. Because the actual fly line is so thick, this material is thinner allowing more of it to be added. It can be made of Dacron or Gel Spun.
Backing comes in different lb test, normally 20lb and 30lb. For just about all trout setups you will want 20lb test. The amount you can add to your reel will be specified by your reel manufacturer but expect to get anywhere from 75 to 150 yards of backing on your reel. You can add the backing yourself and there are ways to estimate how much you’ve added, but it’s much easier to have a local fly shop help.
Leader and Tippet Material
The backing connects to one side of the fly line, and the leader and tippet material attach to the other end. While backing is fairly straightforward, there is a lot more that goes into choosing leader and tippet material, and it will vary from day to day depending on conditions and techniques. When we say leader, that is the entire setup and can be purchased as a tapered leader. Tippet is a standard monofilament line that can be added to a leader to extend it if needed.
Strength (Lb. Test)
One of the first things to think about is how strong you want your leader to be. When trout fishing, most leaders and tippets are described as such – 1x, 2x, 3x, etc. all the way up to 7. Each number will have a corresponding test weight, which is the amount the line can hold before breaking. This is assuming a dead hang, and no shock in the force.
As the x number gets higher, the line gets thinner and weaker. When choosing what size to use, you’ll need to consider how big the fish will be, how large the fly you want to use will be, and also how “educated” the fish are. The larger and stronger the line is, the larger the eye of the hook needs to be, and it is more likely the fish will see the line in the water.
Typically, there is a balance that falls in the 4-6x range when fishing for trout in Idaho. Fishing big streamers you might want to use a heavier leader, and if you’re fishing extremely small flies you might want to consider a lighter leader.
Length
Most standard leaders are 9 ft long, which is a good length for fishing in most situations. You can fish dry flies or nymphs with this length of leader.
In some instances, like streamer fishing, anglers may choose to use a shorter leader as it gives a more direct action.
Fly Line
This is the piece of the setup that will determine how the rod will cast, and choosing the right line can make the difference between really enjoying a day out casting or struggling. Fly lines are made with a braided core that is coated with a PVC material that has other materials added in.
When choosing a fly line here are the different factors to consider.
Weight
Fly lines come in different weights that correspond to the weight of the rod. For most fishing applications, choose a line that matches the weight of your rod and you’ll be starting in a good place.
Some anglers like to “overweight” their rods, which means to buy a weight of line heavier than the rod, but these days it’s not necessary.
Taper
Taper refers to how the thickness of the fly line changes throughout. These days, most lines are weight forward (designated with a WF) which means there will be more weight at the front of the line to help load the rod and cast.
The tapers can be aggressive with a shooting head, which means that you don’t need a lot of line out to load the rod. These are good for heavier flies and conditions where you won’t be false casting much.
Other tapers are more gradual and are more diverse in the applications they can be used in. For most anglers in Idaho, a general taper on a trout focused line like the Rio Gold will be perfect. It can be used for dry fly fishing, nymphs, and even streamers.
Floating vs. Sinking
One other variable you will come across when choosing a line is whether it is floating or sinking. The terms mean exactly what they say – floating lines will float for the entirety of the line while sinking will have a piece that will sink.
With a sinking line, you will also have designations for how much of the line is sinking while the rest will still be floating and how fast the line will sink. There are even sink tips that have different sink rates throughout the line.
For a general setup that will work for most of Idaho, consider a floating line. This will be used for your dry fly, nymphing and most streamer fishing. Some streamer fishing is better when using a sinking line, but unless you will be primarily doing this type of angling, there are other options.
For one, there are sink tips available that can be added or removed from a floating line when needed. These don’t cast as well as a sinking line but will do the job. If you find yourself using the sink tip extremely often, you can get a spare spool for your reel that has a sinking line, that way you’ll be ready for either.
Conclusion – Idaho Fly Line Setup
While all the different options and pieces may seem overwhelming at first, the reality is choosing one versatile line with enough backing for your reel is only a decision that needs to be made once. As you grow in your experience you may want to specialize, but don’t overcomplicate things.
If you focus on anything to start, it’s how to select the right leader and tippet for each fishing scenario. Once you have that down, you’ll be doing great!