What Is A "Fly Line"? 

Courses Home Knots Equipment Fly Reels Fly Lines Leaders Fly Rods Insectology Flies Fish Casting Reference library Course map     Course subjects Home Line components Line classifications Defining lines Species specific fly fishing Line features Line weight History Old vs new Tapers Sinking lines Fish vs line Line & backing Color Costs Selecting a line Care & maint Glossary

A "fly line" that is ready to use is made up of 3 individual parts that are tied together with knots to make up the "whole fly line":

• Backing . . . Made of Dacron or micron; one diameter throughout length; usually 50 to 100 yards (freshwater); one end tied to the reel (“Arbor Knot”); other end tied to the back end of the fly line (“Nail-less Knot” or “Albright Knot”); gel-spun polyethylene also used, mostly saltwater
   
• Fly line . . . plastic coated; tapered; normally 80-105 feet long
   
• Leader . . . monofilament or fluorocarbon; tapered; normally 7 ½’ to 12’ long (freshwater); butt end tied to front of the fly line (“Nail Knot”); forward end (the “tippet”) tied to the fly (“Clinch” or “Eugene Bend”); additions to lengthen & for tippet diameter reduction (“Blood Knot” or “Surgeon Knot”)

COMPOSITION OF A FLY LINE

 Previous topic Cover construction of fly lines at Fly Line Components: