Species Specific Fly Fishing

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Fly line manufacturers have recently begun to change the manner in which they label their fly lines.  Up until about 2006, fly lines were packaged and sold using the 3-part classification system, described in the previous pages, as the principle identifying characteristics (e.g., WF-6-F). The trend in the industry since then has been to produce "species specific" fly lines, fly rods and even leaders.

For example, today there are fly lines labeled "Trout", "Panfish", "Bass", "Bonefish", etc.  A bit broader approach is to label lines "saltwater", "lake", "nymph", etc.  There is becoming a unique fly line for every fish, place, time and temperature.  And, the rod and leader manufacturers are doing the same thing.  There are rods specifically targeted to a species/class of fish: e.g., "Bass" and "Bluegill" rods.  Likewise, leaders.

In that rods, lines and leaders are made to work with one another, it does make some sense for these manufacturers to trend toward more specialization.  It seems to make it easier for the less experienced angler to make a selection and purchase.  However, keep in mind that any rod/reel/line/leader combination, regardless of what it is called, is fully capable of performing very well across a wide spectrum of fly fishing applications, such as:

• fishing for a variety of species of fish (e.g., a line/rod for "trout" can certainly be used to catch most any fish in freshwater)

• fishing a variety of types/methods (e.g., one outfit can handle fishing in moving or stillwater, freshwater or salt, etc.)

• fishing a variety of flies . . . the ultimate decision-making factor in what rod, reel, line and leader to use should be based upon what size flies are going to be used.  In the absence of this consideration, the fly fisher is liable to select for purchase or use a rod/reel/line/leader combination that is mismatched for the size of flies to be used.  For unless we can present the fly to the fish in a manner that makes it appear appealing as something to eat, it matters little what our equipment is labeled.

  Previous topic To see a schematic representation of many popular tapers and learn their functions, please go to Fly Line Tapers: