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Fly Line Tapers
Fly lines are tapered to promote the "turnover"
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Level: |
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| PURPOSE: Level lines are used primarily as "running line" for shooting heads; they are not good for casting because they have no taper | |
Double Taper: |
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| PURPOSE: Double taper lines are the favorite of many "old-timers" and "traditionalists"; they are excellent for dry fly fishing and castability; they have the added advantage of being able to use both ends of the line (just reverse the line on the reel.) | |
Weight Forward: |
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| PURPOSE: Weight forward lines are the most popular, and most "packages" come with this taper; its heavier front end allows most casters to gain some additional distance over a double taper, but often with less delicacy of presentation | |
Bass Bug/Saltwater: |
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| PURPOSE: There are numerous (over 50), specialized line tapers of the "bass bug" sort; made for casting to specific fish: "steelhead", "bonefish", "tarpon", "pike", etc. | |
Shooting
Head: |
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| PURPOSE: Shooting heads/tapers are specialized lines, usually 30'-38' long, designed to increase casting distance by reducing friction by putting line weight into a "head" & attaching it to a thin, level "running line" which poses little resistance through the guides and in the air | |
of the fly being carried by the cast of the line. There are many variations on
the basic taper styles depicted below, particularly in weight forward lines. The
lengths of the various segments shown are meant as a general guideline, as they will be
different for each specific line taper style. Tapers also vary for line weights
within a particular style. Generally speaking, tapers in lighter line weights will
be longer than those in heavier line weights. Shorter tapers put a bit more weight
up front on "bigger" lines to assist in turnover on the forward cast.
