Fly lines and leaders are a core part of your fly fishing setup. The fly provides the weight to cast the fly and the leader ensure it turns over and is presented to the fish in the way you want it.
And the tippet forms the all-important connection to the fly and determines the effective breaking strain of your whole outfit.
We put a lot of thought into choosing the right fly line for the job and the right leader types and formulas for pursuing particular fish.
See below for our top articles in this area.
Fly Lines
There’s a lot to understand about fly lines. First of all there’s type: floating, sinking or sink tip. Then there is the designated fly line weight. And then there are different lines for nymph fishing, dry fly fishing, streamers and throwing big non-aerodynamic flies.
Each has its place and we are devoted to explaining which lines work best for particular species or types of fly fishing.
- Best fly line for Trout: Top Brands and Models Reviewed
- The Best Fly Line for Bass: Choosing the Best Brand and Type
- Fly Line Tapers Explained: Complete Expert Guide
Leaders, Knots and Tippet Rings
Your leader is the all-connection between you and your fly (and when you’ve set the hook, the fish you are trying to land!). We put a lot of thought into leaders ensuring we choose the right knots to join leader to tippet (our favorite is the Orvis Tippet Knot) and for joining sections of mono or flouro to build your own leader (double blood knots work best).