# The fly line system Created On: 08-22-2023 08:26 am Up:: [[Fly Fishing (MOC)]] Tags:: #note/evergreen🌲 Topics:: Related:: [[Fly fish rod and line weights]] --- The system of a fly line is made up of the following components: - Backing - The fly line - Leader Looks like this: > (Reel) | -------- Backing -------- | ---- Line ----- | -- Leader -- | Fly/Hook The fly line and the leader are extremely important, if not **the most important**. ## Backing The backing is typically a braided string to give the line system a strong foundation with. This is typically 120 yards for fresh water, but extends out to 400 yards in blue water. The backing also takes up space in the arbor. The backing acts as an "insurance package" on your system: you should be confident that a fish can outrun your fly line, but you'll still have them on the backing. A good fly shop should put on the backing for you, especially if you're buying a rod from them. ## Fly Line This is one of the most important pieces of the entire system - this is what you're actually casting. As Lefty Craig said, you're unrolling the line. This is where we get the weight for the system, not from the leader or the fly, so this is what is what's ultimately pulling and pushing everything below it (the) If you're going to invest in *anything* and expect solid returns on it, don't spend it on rods, reels, etc., **spend it on a premium fly line**. Variables to take into consideration: ### Line Weight See more about this [[Fly fish rod and line weights|here]]. TL;DR, your fly line and rod should all be at an equivalent weight rating. E.g., if I have a #4 weight rod, I should have have a #4 weight fly line on it. ### Tapering All fly lines are tapered, to some degree. The taper describes the narrowing of the line as it comes closer down to the leader. From a physics perspective, the tapering enables a focused dissipation of energy as the line let's out, which enables the "unroll" of a line as it is cast from the line all the way to the leader and fly - it focuses the energy transfer downward/outward it propels the line into the water. Today, the most common option of line tapering if called "Weight Forward" and it'll often be marked as "WF" on the line or packaging. You'll want this as a beginner, intermediate, and even an expert - it's highly recommended. For weight forward lines, they are continually tapering from the beginning of the line where the backing attaches all the way toward where the leader attaches against the opposite end of the fly line. This is generally broken down in this manner: * Rear taper: 40', butts up next to the backing * Rear taper: 5', between the rear and the belly * The belly (of the line): 20' * Front taper: 15', leader-end ### Density Most commonly, most anglers should choose a floating fly line (F). This means that the entire length of the fly line floats on the top of the water. However, there are other line types, such as a floating line with a sinking tip, often denoted by F/S on the packaging. Toward the leader end of these types of lines, between 5-30' of the line is heavier (using tungsten) and will break water line and sink. Keep in mind, though, you can still fish sinking flies *without* an F/S line. You can use a weighted fly, attach some split-shot, etc. There is a line called intermediate (I). This line sinks, but has a tendency to come up toward the surface, especially when reeled back. It typically falls between 1-4' in the water on its own. Additionally, there is a sinking fly line (S), which is used to fish at the bottom of bodies of water. These can be used fishing bass in the winter, when most fish are on the bottom. Additionally, can be used when fishing in blue ocean and deep lakes like Lake Erie. ## Leader