A fly fishing line can make or break your fly fishing experience. Because fly fishing can be really fun and not just productive, we want you to make the best of it.
So, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about what makes a fly line good. To help you even further, we’ve made a list of the best fly-fishing lines on the market.
List of the Best Fly Fishing Lines:
- Piscifun Sword Fly Fishing Line – Best Overall
- Croch Weight-Forward Fly Fishing Line – Runner-Up
- Sougayilang Fly Fishing Line – Best Budget
- SF Weight-Forward Floating Fly Fishing Line – Best for Beginners
- RIO InTouch Gold Fly Fishing Line – Best for Trouts
- KastKing Exergy Fly Fishing Line – Best for Bass
- Scientific Anglers Mastery – Best for Faster Rods
The 7 Best Fly Fishing Lines in 2023
1. Piscifun Sword Fly Fishing Line – Best Overall
The Piscifun Sword is a great all-around trout-fishing line. It comes with a length range of 90 to 100 feet, which is perfect for a great casting distance. In addition, it comes in a range of 1 to 10 weights to cater to different kinds of fishing.
As a weight-forward line, it has a longer head and wider diameter, so long casting and throwing farther through the guides couldn’t be easier. If you want to attach a leader easily, the sleek and enhanced welded loop will save you time and energy with quick leader attachment.
Thanks to the PVC coating, the line is lubricated to be durable and strong. To defy weather conditions that make lines tangle, the core is braided for low memory.
For maximum convenience, the line comes in 6 color options.
Pros:
- WF
- Length range of 90 to 100 ft
- 1 to 10F
- Perfect for long casting
- PVC coating
- Low-memory core
- 6 color options
- Welded loop
- 1-year warranty
Cons:
- Too light for windy conditions
Bottom Line
With its amazing performance and different choices, it gives you in color, size, and weight, the Piscifun Sword is our top choice.
2. Croch Weight-Forward Fly Fishing Line – Runner-Up
The Croch fly-fishing line is an affordable gem. It comes in 100 feet, which is more than enough for a weight-forward line. Furthermore, it comes in a range of 3 to 8 weights to help you catch small or big fish in small or large bodies of water.
This line will not disappoint you in long and precise casting since it’s a WF. Also, it has a special surface skin material for reduced friction and even better casting. In addition, the line has a coating to protect from harsh weather, although it isn’t that effective in extreme heat.
To help you either see the line or hide it from the fish, the line comes in 4 colors alternating between high-viz and low-viz choices.
What about the backing line? It’s a 50-yard 20-pound braided line made of dacron for high strength and low stretch.
Pros:
- Affordable
- WF
- Braided multifilament cores
- 100-ft length
- 3 to 8F
- 4 color options
- Comes with 50-yd backing line and 9-ft leader
- Special surface skin material
- 1-year warranty
Cons:
- Can’t handle extreme heat
Bottom Line
Unless you’re fishing in an extremely hot environment, there’s no reason you won’t enjoy this combo deal.
3. Sougayilang Fly Fishing Line – Best Budget
Nobody doesn’t like to have a good fly-fishing line that won’t break the bank. The Sougayilang comes in a lengthy 100-feet size. Its 4-to-8 weight options are a nice variety for small or large fish.
As a WF line, it has a longer head and bigger diameter to make long casts as easy as possible, but it works perfectly well with short casts. In addition, the line has great floatability and smooth presentation in order not to spook the fish away.
The Sougayilang comes in 4 bright colors, and the brightness is beneficial because it makes the line visible to you in any environment for easy monitoring.
Pros:
- Affordable
- WF
- 4 to 8F
- 100-ft length
- 4 color options
- Great floatability
- Low-memory core
Cons:
- Can tangle easily
Bottom Line
At its price point, you won’t find a line that makes fly fishing so easy.
4. SF Weight-Forward Floating Fly Fishing Line – Best for Beginners
The SF is a win for baby anglers who want to try fly fishing but don’t know where to start. It comes in 90 and 100 feet of length. In addition, it comes in a weight range of 2 to 8 weights, so both beginners and professionals can use it.
This WF has the precision for long-range projection to make fly fishing a breeze. Also, it has welded loops on both ends for easy connectivity. Thanks to its PVC coating, the line is stunningly strong and floatable.
For your convenience, it comes in 5 colors for your high-viz and low-viz needs.
Pros:
- WF
- Affordable
- 5 color options
- 2 to 8F
- Length range of 90 to 100 ft
- PVC coating
- Welded loops on both ends
- Great floatability
Cons:
- Can tangle easily
Bottom Line
This is another affordable gem that is a must-have for every beginner.
5. RIO InTouch Gold Fly Fishing Line – Best for Trouts
The RIO InTouch comes in 7 weights, so it is perfect for your trout-fishing needs.
Thanks to its ConnectCore low-stretch technology, the line has high sensitivity with enhanced detection for the slightest bite.
This line has the MaxCast technology, which is a hydrophobic coating that helps the line repel water, shoot farther, stay cleaner, and last longer.
Our product really wants to float with its AgentX and MaxFloat Tip technologies for floating.
The AgentX technology is the high floating inner coating covered by a tough outer coating for maximum durability. MaxFloat Tip makes the line float twice as high as other lines with the same diameter.
The RIO InTouch has quite a unique triple color line marking system called Surefire. The front taper is moss green, the back taper is gray, and the running line is gold. This technology makes it easy to monitor and gauge distances pretty quickly.
Pros:
- 7F
- WF
- Loop stability
- ConnectCore low-stretch technology
- Triple color line marking system
- Hydrophobic coating
- AgentX and MaxFloat Tip technologies for floating
Cons:
- Has a bit of a memory
Bottom Line
If you’re on a hunt for trouts, there is no line better than the RIO InTouch.
6. KastKing Exergy Fly Fishing Line – Best for Bass
Another WF gem for you? Of course. The KastKing comes in line weights from WF3 to WF8, which enables you to catch all the bass you need.
Attaching backing and leaders has never been easier or quicker, thanks to the line’s double micro-loops. The core is braided and low-memory for the smoothest casts and best presentation.
In this day and age, it is important to care about the environment and what we’re doing to our bodies of water. So, with the biodegradable biospool, you won’t have to worry about your carbon footprint.
The KastKing comes in five different colors to cater to your personal needs in visibility or presentation.
Pros:
- WF
- 3 to 8F
- 5 color options
- Double micro-loops
- Biospool for an easy conscience
- Small diameter
- Low-memory core
- 1-year warranty
Cons:
- Can tangle easily
Bottom Line
The Kastking Exergy is pretty sufficient for your bass-catching needs.
7. Scientific Anglers Mastery – Best for Faster Rods
The Scientific Anglers line is an all-purpose light line that is meant to be combined with a fast-action rod for general presentations and versatility in techniques such as dry flies, nymphs, and streamers. It comes in 4 to 9 weights to serve all these purposes.
Thanks to the PVC coating, the line is durable and floatable. It has an ST slickness additive to make the line more manageable in moderate and cold weather. Like all WF lines, it is heavier at the front for impressive long casting.
This line, of course, had to have a braided multifilament core for low memory because nobody wants their line to get knotted.
Pros:
- 4 to 9F
- WF
- PVC coating
- Great for different techniques
- ST slickness additive
Cons:
- Works well with faster rods only
Bottom Line
If you have a fast rod and you need a line for all your fishing techniques, no line does it better than the Scientific Anglers.
How to Pick a Fly Fishing Line
1. Fly Line Taper Design
What makes fly fishing unique is the tapering of the lines, meaning the different adjustments of diameter and weight to serve different purposes. The most popular types are the weight-forward and double taper.
The Weight-Forward Taper
Also known as WF, it’s the most popular taper design for trout fly fishing. It is also the common choice for beginners.
As its name suggests, the WF has its heaviest section at the front, particularly the first 10 yards. The heaviness and thickness of the front end make it perfect for long casting and smooth presentation. For the windy weather, the WF will work perfectly.
The Double Taper
Also known as DT, it’s a popular choice among experienced anglers, but all kinds of anglers love it because of its versatility. It differs from WF in that both the front and bottom are tapered with additional heaviness and thickness, while the middle section stays the same.
The best aspect of this design is that if either tip wears out, you can just turn it around and use it as if it’s new.
2. Weight
The weight of a fly line is measured in grains, usually ranging from 1 to 14 grains.
One of the factors in getting the right line weight is the weight of the fish you’re planning to catch.
From 1 to 3 weights, you can fish in smaller bodies of water such as ponds and small streams; you’ll be able to catch lightweight fish such as small trout and panfish.
From 4 to 6 weights, you’ll be able to catch large trouts, small bass, small pike, and walleye. At 7 weights, you’ve got fishing all bass covered. At 8 weights and above, you’ve got freshwater and saltwater covered.
Also, the weight of your fly line should match the weight of your fly rod and reel; a harmony between all your equipment will make the experience hassle-free.
3. Coating
A coating is one of the ways by which manufacturers try to make their lines unique compared to their competitors. Coatings increase a line’s smoothness, flexibility, floatability, or durability.
The most commonly used coating for fly lines is the PVC coating, which increases the line’s durability and flexibility. Another common coating is polythene, and it increases the durability, casting distance, and abrasion resistance.
4. Color
Color isn’t the most vital factor in a line, but it sure does help to pick the right color. High-viz colors like lime green and yellow are perfect, especially for beginners, because they show you where you’re casting. The visibility is for you.
For sinking lines, however, you can pick a low-viz color to blend with water and hide it from the fish.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What Does WF Mean on a Fly Line?
WF stands for ‘weight-forward’, which is the most popular type of taper in fly lines. It means that the line is heaviest and thickest at its front end. This design makes the line perfect for long casts. In addition, it makes it the best option for fly fishing on windy days.
How Long Does a Fly Line Last?
The average fly line can last up to 250 days of full-day use, if not more. If well-maintained, it can last for more than years, especially if it is the durable and abrasion-resistant kind.
But what does good maintenance mean in terms of a fly line? It means that it’s stored in the dark, cleaned regularly, and treated once any sign of plasticizer leaching appears.
Does the Color of a Fly Line Matter?
Yes and no; it will matter to you but not to the fish. It matters if you’re a beginner because you’ll need a high-viz color to see where the line is. Other than that, it won’t affect the visibility of your line to the fish, since you’re coming at them from above.
What Is the Best Fly Line Weight for Trout?
If you’re going for small trouts, you can do with a line of 1 to 3 weights. Larger trouts can be caught with lines of 4 to 6 weights. Of course, the more you go up in weight, the more you can catch. However, it has to be light enough for you to manage.
Final Words
The list above has the best fly-fishing lines on the market. Now, let’s go over some highlights.
For choices that won’t break the bank, consider the Croch and the Sougayilang fly-fishing lines. If you just want to catch some trouts, then check out the RIO InTouch Gold. The Scientific Anglers Mastery is a perfect fly line for different fishing techniques.