The Fly Line Buyer’s Guide from Frontier Fly Fishing helps South African anglers choose the right line for every rod, water, and season. Your line controls rod loading, turnover, depth, and feel. Because water temperatures vary, cold-water lines stay supple while tropical lines retain stiffness and shootability. Whether you fish stillwaters, rivers, or flats, the right taper and sink rate matter.
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Fishing Environments & Applications
A fly line’s taper, core, and coating dictate casting feel and turnover. Understanding these helps you pick the right fly line for your fishing style and the water you’ll fish.
- Weight Forward (WF): Heavier front taper loads the rod quickly and helps with distance and wind; ideal for stillwaters, bass, and general use.
- Double Taper (DT): Identical taper on both ends for delicate river work, roll casts, and improved mending; can be reversed when one end wears out.
- Specialised WF designs: Long-belly tapers for smooth distance and control; short aggressive tapers for quick loading and large flies; textured coatings reduce friction, improve shooting, and enhance floatation.
- Sink rates: Floating, intermediate, and Type 3 to Type 6 sinking options control fishing depth and ensure more time in the feeding zone.
- Temperature rating: Cold-water lines stay supple, while tropical lines resist wilting and remain slick in heat.
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Specifications & Tapers
A fly line’s taper, core, and coating dictate casting feel and turnover. Understanding these helps you pick the right model for your style and water.
- Weight-forward (WF): Heavier front section loads the rod quickly and helps with distance and wind; ideal for stillwaters, bass, and general use.
- Double taper (DT): Even taper both ends for delicate river work, roll casts, and control; reverse when one end wears out.
- Specialised WF designs: Long-belly tapers for smooth distance/control; short aggressive tapers for quick loading and big flies; textured coatings to reduce friction and improve floatation.
- Sink rates: Floating, intermediate, and Type 3–Type 6 sinking options control fishing depth and time in the zone.
- Temperature rating: Cold-water lines stay supple; tropical lines resist wilting in heat.
This Fly Line Buyer’s Guide also breaks down price ranges to match your line requirements.
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Budget & Experience
Fly-line pricing reflects how much technology goes into the coating, core, and taper design. Every line includes slickness additives; higher-priced models use more advanced versions and refined tapers. Scientific Anglers’ entry- and mid-range lines feature AST coatings for durability and reduced friction, while their premium lines use AST+ additives for extended slickness and superior distance. Temperature-specific coatings and cores exist at all price points, matched to cold-, temperate-, or tropical-water use.
- Entry-level: Floating or intermediate lines that load easily and present smoothly; include AST and welded front loops with straightforward tapers.
- Mid-range: Feature enhanced AST, welded loops at both ends, printed line ID markings, and more sophisticated tapers for speed, loop stability, and improved shooting distance.
- Premium: AST+ coatings built into the PVC coating, welded loops, line IDs, complex multi-taper profiles, and specialised temperature-rated cores for maximum slickness, longevity, and consistency.
Choosing your first line: Start with a versatile weight-forward floating line that matches your rod’s line weight; weight-forward lines are the most forgiving, all-round option for South African trout and yellowfish.
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Line Care & Storage
Proper care protects performance and extends lifespan. Heat, dirt, and tension shorten working life; regular cleaning keeps lines slick and floating high. Store cool, avoid tight winding, and keep chemicals off the coating.
- Avoid tension: Never store lines wound tight; pressure creates flat spots and memory coils.
- Cool storage: Keep lines out of direct sun and heat to prevent softening or cracking.
- Clean regularly: Wipe with mild soap and fresh water; remove dirt that migrates to the tip and makes it sink.
- Never cast without a leader/tippet: Without it, casting energy focuses on the line tip, risking cracks or delamination.
- No swimming pools: Chlorine and pool chemicals damage the coating and reduce slickness.
- Avoid sunscreen/insect repellent: Chemical contact can break down coatings and reduce slickness over time.
Still unsure which fly line is right for you? This Fly Line Buyer’s Guide covers all key types, tapers, and sink rates, but our team can help match your rod, casting style, and target water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fly line weight matches my rod?
What fly line weight matches my rod?
Always match a line’s AFTMA weight (for example, 5-weight) to your rod. A heavier line can overload the blank and slow recovery, while a lighter line won’t load the rod properly and limits distance.
What’s the difference between floating, intermediate, and sinking lines?
What’s the difference between floating, intermediate, and sinking lines?
All sinking lines, including intermediates, continue to sink. The difference is sink rate:intermediate lines sink slowly; a Type 3 line sinks at roughly three inches per second and a Type 6 line sinks at around six inches per second. Pick the rate that reaches the depth you want to fish at and keeps the fly in that zone.
How long does a fly line last?
How long does a fly line last?
With proper care, a good-quality fly line can last up to ten years. Clean it regularly and store it in a cool place. If possible store the line loosely coiled to avoid keeping the line under tension. Avoid getting chemicals on the line that may damage the coating. Dirty, tightly wound floating lines lose slickness, crack and may sink prematurely.
Can I use one line for all fishing?
Can I use one line for all fishing?
A floating line covers most trout and yellowfish situations, but owning several lines (including intermediate and sinking variants) allows you to adjust for depth which means you can effectively cover all depths in the water column.
What’s the best line for beginners?
What’s the best line for beginners?
A standard weight-forward floating line is easiest to cast and most forgiving. It pairs well with medium-action rods and performs across most South African freshwater scenarios.
Do fly lines have a warranty?
Do fly lines have a warranty?
Most manufacturers offer limited warranties against factory defects, but normal wear from use, as well as degradation from the sun’s UV rays is expected. Regular cleaning and correct storage will significantly extend the fly line’s life.
Expert Tip
Replace your line when you notice cracking, stickiness, or, where floating lines are concerned, sinking tips. A well maintained line will completely transform how your rod performs. Lines that are worn will also abrade your rod’s guides which will in turn lead to further wear of the line.