Fly Line Archives - The Fly Fishing Basics

5 Essential Fly Line Maintenance Tips for Every Angler

August 14, 2025 by Clint Losee

Fly Fishing Basics - 5 Tips for Fly Line Maintenance

Fly line maintenance isn’t just for seasoned pros—it’s one of the fly fishing basics every angler should master. Whether you’re just starting to learn fly fishing or you’ve been casting for decades, your fly line is the vital link between you and the fish. Without proper care, even the most expensive fly line will lose its slickness, tangle easily, and reduce your casting distance.

Let’s explore five simple fly line maintenance tips that will keep your line performing at its best and extend its lifespan.

Fly Fishing Tips

Fly Fishing Quick Tip: Easy Way to String Fly Line

September 2, 2026October 15, 2017 by Clint Losee

Fly Fishing Quick Tip - String Fly Line-The Fly Fishing Basics

Have you ever struggled to string fly line through the guides of your fly rod when getting ready to head out on the water for the day? I know I have. Today I have a tip that will help you out more than you would have thought.

Blog Fly Fishing Tips

Tips on Building a Tapered Leader

March 15, 2018July 27, 2017 by Clint Losee

Building a Tapered Leader - Fly Fishing Basics

Many of you have read through my previous article on fly fishing leader and tippet. While that article was designed to give you a high-level view of fly fishing leader and tippet, and enough information to not be completely in the dark, it left part of the process out. That part is building a tapered leader yourself.

Basics Blog

How to Choose a Fly Line for Trout

September 2, 2026November 13, 2015 by Clint Losee

RIO Products continues to put out some great videos. This particular video is going to be a huge help to anyone that gets confused by all the different fly lines on the market today. Weight forward, double-taper, sinking, floating…there’s a lot to take in when deciding which fly line you should be using. Learning how to choose a fly line for trout is one of the fly fishing basics that everyone should know and this video is sure to help.

Basics Fly Fishing Gear

Fly Lines 101

September 1, 2026October 21, 2012 by Clint Losee

A fly line is the weighted line that carries your fly to the target and it replaces the lure weight used in conventional fishing. The taper, weight, and density of that line determine how far you cast, how delicately you can present your fly, and event what depth you fish.

You may have browsed through your local fly shop and noticed a wall of all sorts of different lines hanging nicely in their little boxes. Weight forward, double taper, sink-tip, and so on and so forth. What does all of that mean and which one of those fly lines will work best for you when learning the fly fishing basics and how to fly fish? I’ll try to shed some light on that topic for you.