Gear » Fly Lines

Images by Rick Mikesell Warmwater fishing asks a lot from a fly line. You change presentations constantly, fish multiple water types in the same day, and often run the same line across several rods because that is the reality of keeping a few 6-weights rigged and ready, and fishing surface to bottom for opportunistic smallmouth. Finding a line that can do...

As spring gives way to summer, fly anglers everywhere begin watching river gauges, tracking hatches, and finding any excuse possible to get on the water. From chasing trout during evening caddis emergences to sneaking away for warmwater adventures while runoff swells the rivers, this season reminds us why we love to fish in the first place. It’s also the...

photo by Piotr Wawrzyniuk A Skagit head in the 500–575 grain range paired with two interchangeable tips — a MOW Heavy (T-14) and 10 feet of T-11 — covers the majority of spring steelhead swing-fishing situations for under $160. The key to choosing the right sinking line system for April steelhead isn't chasing the fastest sink rate; it's matching tip...

Lake run spring smallmouth| photo by Brian Bradfield An intermediate fly line sinking at 1.25–2 inches per second is the most versatile fly line for March warmwater fishing, covering the two-to-six-foot prespawn zone where bass hold most consistently in 48–55°F water. A floating line and a sink-tip round out the system for shallow afternoon windows and...

I am hard on fly lines. Lots of days. Plenty of concrete, riprap, bridge junk, and sharp edges mixed in with the usual rocks and gravel. The front of the line always takes the worst of it, and that is the section most likely to fail. In a previous article, I covered why I cut factory-welded loops from many of my lines. Brian Flechsig of Mad River Outfitters...

Airflo's 2026 Saltwater Line Gets Kudos from Fly Fisherman The Airflo Superflo Max Ridge 2.0 Clear Flats Universal was recently named Best New Saltwater Fly Line in Fly Fisherman's 2026 Gear Guide.  The 2026 saltwater lines feature Airflo's new Elevate Elite technology, which builds upon the Glass Sphere flotation system introduced in the company's...

Photo courtesy of Scientific Anglers Coldwater Lines for Winter Warmwater Fly Fishing Winter fly fishing in warmwater is a game of inches and seconds. In chilled water, predators conserve energy, forage drifts rather than flees, and flies that live at exact depth get eaten. That’s why line choice matters more than rod model. Pick a line that makes the fly...

Gear is expensive, which makes this week one of the few times each year when the price tags ease up a bit. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are now a predictable part of the fly-fishing calendar. Every season manufacturers and specialty brands offer meaningful discounts, and it is always worth paying attention. If you need travel gear, cold-weather layers, a...

 [Interview starts at 43:59] Tom Rosenbauer's guest this week is Josh Jenkins of Scientific Anglers, and the original plan was to talk just about knotless leaders—their design, how they are made, and how to modify them. But they soon took an interesting sidetrack into line/leader connections and also a new product he's discovered for...

By: Rick Mikesell New for 2025, Temple Fork Outfitters has announced the Dispatch series, an all-in-one fly rod and reel kit aimed at new and progressing anglers. According to TFO, each Dispatch rod is built with a moderate action that provides a smooth, forgiving feel ideal for improving timing and technique, while still delivering enough power for anglers...