For most fly fishermen, starting off with the sport is an overwhelming amount of information to take in. Just getting the right gear in the first place can be difficult and expensive. Fly fishing lines are one complex side of fly fishing, but they play a critical role in being able to cast effectively. If you choose the wrong line for your application, you won't even be able to cast your fly, let alone catch fish. Below is a fly fishing line guide to help you get the proper line for your needs.

First of all, fly lines are separated by weights. Fly line weight is determined by the weight of the first 30 feet of line in grains. They are whole numbers that start at 1 and increase with thickness and weight. Picking the right fly line is very important, especially if you already have a fly rod and reel. Make sure to match the rod weight to the line, because they are designed to cast a certain weight of line. If you have not picked out a rod and reel yet, decide what type of fishing you will be doing. Lower weights are for smaller waters and fish, and higher numbers are for bigger flies, waters, and fish. A good all around number to start with is a 5 weight setup.

Next, you will need to choose a sinking line or a floating line. Floating lines are good all purpose fly lines, because you will still be able to weight your leader and wet fly fish. Sinking lines are better for lake fly fishing, and fishing with un-weighted streamers.

Next, you will need to decide the taper that fits your needs. Fly lines come in all kinds of tapers. Specialized tapers, like shooting tapers, are designed for long casts into headwinds. The best overall and most popular type of taper for fly lines is the double taper. These are the most cost effective fly lines because when one end wears out, you simply flip it around and have basically a new fly line.

Choosing the proper fly line can be a difficult process. Hopefully, this fly fishing line guide will make your job of choosing the right option a little easier. Now, do not forget to bring along other important fly fishing tools, like fly fishing nets, hemostats, and a large assortment of flies! Good luck fishing, and remember to take pictures of your memories!