Fish to Fly Line
This chart depicts the suggested fly lines to use for
various species of fish. It is meant as a guideline, and are representative of
"average" conditions, fish and fishermen.
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| Fish | Conditions | Line Taper * | Line weight | Floating or sinking line * |
| stream trout | small creeks to large rivers | DT or WF | #3 to #8 | F & F/S |
| largemouth bass | small ponds to large lakes | WF to BBT | #5 to #9 | F, F/S & S |
| smallmouth bass | small lakes to streams | DT or WF | #4 to #7 | F & F/S |
| bluegill | small ponds | DT | #3 to #6 | F |
| crappie | small lakes | DT, WF | #3 to #7 | F & F/S |
| pike | lakes | WF, ST | #7 to #10 | F & F/S |
| steelhead | large rivers | WF, ST | #8 to #10 | F & F/S |
| salmon | freshwater | WF, ST | #8 to #12 | F, F/S & S |
| lake trout | large lakes | WF,ST,BBT | #9 to #12 | F/S & S |
| arctic char | rivers | WF, ST | #7 to #10 | F/S & S |
| bonefish | saltwater flats | WF, ST | #8 to #10 | F, F/S & S |
| tarpon | saltwater | WF, ST | #10 to #14 | F, F/S & S |
* DT = double taper; WF = weight forward; ST = shooting taper; BBT = bass bug taper |
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* F = floating; S = sinking; F/S = sinking tip |
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