Fly Lines

Fly Lines

Rio Lines

Some of these lines are ex stock, and some to special order only, please enquire.

Saltwater Fly lines are a different breed from those used in freshwater. They often have to carry very heavy and/or bulky flies. They may be used in water temperatures from just above freezing to over 80. The plastic coating on the line responds markedly to the varying temperatures and will affect its ability to carry your fly accurately. A warm water line used in cold water will be too stiff and form coils though remember any monofilament cored line will need stretching before use. At the other extreme a cold water line used on the flats in May will be too soft to hold a loop, resulting in tailing loops and tangles.

To this end we stock the Jim Vincent range of fly lines as they produce lines to cope with these conditions. Again we have limited our range to those useful to the saltwater angler, but the full range is available to special order.

For fishing off the UK shores we would recommend the density compensated sinking lines at sink rate 4 (4-5 ips), which sink equally along the length in sizes WF7-10. For surface fishing the striped bass line - a clear line with an intermediate designation in sizes WF7-12.

The DeepSea Fly line is a super fast sinking sink tip with a hard smooth coating on a braided monofilament core, with an intermediate body and running line. For offshore as well as inshore water under warm or tropical conditions, it was designed primarily for sailfish, marlin, tuna, dorado, wahoo etc, though it has its place for use for trevally, striped bass, bluefish and roosterfish.

Tarpon fly lines are available in both intermediate and floating styles in 10 to 13 weights. They have a hard smooth coating on a stiff monofilament braided core. The front taper is designed to turn over the heavy tarpon flies, while the back taper is short to allow quick loading of the rod. They are designed for use under the hottest conditions.

Bonefish fly lines are available in floating only and sizes 7 to 9. The tapers are slightly longer than those on the tarpon lines to allow for more delicate presentation in the shallower water of bonefish or redfish flats. Again the coating is designed for the hottest conditions.

For cooler water conditions though not cold like the North Sea or English Channel look at the Warmwater series. Ideal for use on the flats until late April.

The Warmwater Windcutter is a weight forward line, with the weight distributed slightly differently to normal. The tip section is one size lighter than the rating, while the belly is slightly heavier so the AFTM rating is correct. This maintains distance while increasing delicacy of presentation.

Fly-Line Boxes

Our own design fast and slow sinking lines in the super heavy weight AFTM 16.This little black box gives you an alternative to expensive spare spools. Simply make a loop in the backing, add a Kevlar loop to your fly line and changing lines in a hurry is so very easy.

To use, feed the end of the line on the reel through the hole in the box, onto the spool and turn the handle to take the fly line off your reel. Slip the loop to loop connection, loop the new line onto the backing and reel the line onto the fly reel. Remember you need a box for the line you are taking off as well as the one holding the line you want to put on. You only need one handle, though we suggest you carry two, just in case.

Fly Line Backing

After much searching we have eventually found a quality Superbraid backing. It is available in only one size and colour - 50lb test, and bright pink, but on 300 yard and 500 yard spools. You will need to use some conventional backing to fill up your reel.

Our reasoning has been as follows.

1. The heavier weight fly lines may have a core of 30lb line - some of the lighter fly lines may be as low as 18-20lb. 50lb backing will minimise the risk of your expensive fly line heading for the horizon. The 50lb test measures 0.014" in diameter, the 30lb is only 0.003" narrower at 0.011" - the capacity difference is minimal compared to the extra strength.

2. 300yds is more than enough for most species, if you need more than 500yds then Superbraid knots weill if you take care.

3. Bright pink because it is easier to see in the water and helps you find the fish direction more easily - offshore captains like to be able to see the line as they back down on fish too.

4. The very thin diamiter allows more backing on th espool.

5. the rate of recovery is faster as the diameter of the centre hub of the reel stays larger.

6. The drag setting does not need altering as much as drag is inversely proportional to the diameter of that same hub - the smaller the hub the greater the drag

7. The slim line produces less friction in the water, especially when a large fish turns and runs for the boat. The pressure of water against the large bow can be enough to pop any tippet, the slimmer Superbraid significantly reduces this risk.

8. The slim line minimises this bow forming in the first place as it allows more direct contact with the fish - though you still have the resistance of the fly line to worry about. - Many top class saltwater fly fishermen now cut off most of the running line of their weight forward lines to minimise this - and increase the backing capacity.

What are the problems? There are five of any note.

A. Firstly please remember this line is very strong and very thin. If you try and break it with bare hands you may end up with severe injuries. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE SHOULD YOU WRAP THE LINE AROUND YOUR HAND IF HUNG UP ON THE BOTTOM - YOU COULD LOSE THE HAND.

B. you will need very sharp scissors to cut this cleanly - we stock Fiskars for kids for this. Go to Fiskars

C. Because of its small diameter and slippery surface you need to use extra turns on your knots. Some would recommend that you double the Superbraid to tie the knot. Where you would normally use 4-5 turns in a uni-knot use 8-9 of Superbraid, moisten and draw up slowly.

D. Again because it is so fine there is always a risk that the line will cut your finger if a fish makes a sudden surge while you are spreading the retrieved line back on the reel. To that end we have developed an easily donned fingerstall in heavy weight Lycra. Go to Stall

E. The line must be bedded down firmly, use a glove to make sure it is as packed as hard as you can. with no stretch to the line line, you will not get contraction distorting the reel spool, but if the line is not hard and evenly packed then it will bite into itself and jam tight.

You may find that with the Superbraid backing the reel is still not full enough. We therefore offer Hi-Vis yellow Dacron also in 50lb - to keep the breaking strains all the same - in 150 yard spools, to back up the backing. The colour change serves to warn you just how much line you have out.