weight forward fly line vs double taper

The new Streamer Series from Cortland has an aggressive front taper to turn over large flies. If you've fished an SA line in the past 30 or so years chances are Bruce built the tapers and has forgotten more about each of the lines than I'll ever know. In today's market we can purchase products that are specifically designed for delicate presentation, aggressive presentation or somewhere between. To wit, you must use a line-size heavy enough so that a double-haul can exploit the difference in weight between the line’s head and running line (the heavier head essentially drags along the lightweight running line, adding distance to the cast). To decide if a line is aggressive, delicate or a "tweener" we need to take a close look at the front taper, belly and rear taper. Looking at the diagram, it’s pretty clear how they get their names. Only at longer ranges does one comes out ahead of the other. But the truth is, at distances up to 30’, there’s no real difference between these lines. We've been developing the highest performing fly lines, leader, & tippet in the industry for over 20 years. But remember, this benefit starts at 44-49 ft. when the running line is in the rod. With a double tapered fly line, you have certain advantages. The front taper, the belly and the rear taper form the head. Fly lines come up, too. Shop the right line for every fish at RIO. Subscriber Services. On the front end is the tip and on the back the running line. True, but anglers should pick a line taper that best suits their fishing, rather than one that may … Most WF lines have heads that are 35-40 ft. long. Add to Cart Sale. It provides a longer mend, you can pick up a longer line to minimize false casts, and it assists in aerializing the line creating more distance. The weight forward line has a short double taper section up front with the most common length being 30 feet. In reality, both tapers can be very delicate or very aggressive depending on the design of each specific line. They will do a few things better than double tapers. Dwayne 'Chip' Cromarty - January 15, 2016. Also called level. Luckily you don't have to take my word for it. It’s the most weight forward line in the shootout. The top eight spots for lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Such objections are valid for some double-taper designs, and (with one important provision that I’ll get to) not at all for Cortland’s new Trout Boss DT line. A good general taper for trout would be a weight-forward line. Taper Diagram: Casting Notes: Magnum has a very interesting taper. Weight forward lines shift the weight to the front of the line and were developed to match modern fast action carbon fiber rods. The first fifteen feet widen while the next sixty remain the … What this all means is that DT and WF lines work pretty much the same at the distances we fish most of the time. I might add that it is a physical impossibility for a DT to be more delicate than a WF. All Rights Reserved. Manufactures tend to deal with more weight-forward designs because they load … Because they throw big, open loops, they’re ideal for delicate presentations and fishing dries at short distances (under 30 feet). Some newer WF lines can handle delicate presentations and are easy to roll cast. All Fly Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. A couple of final thoughts on double tapers: The long belly means they are much bulkier than a weight forward in the same line weight, so a larger reel/spool is usually needed to allow room for the line and backing. RJD Sport Posts: 56 Joined: 01/01/13 16:03 Location: Ohio. So, how do you decide which is right for you? This line control is one of the unique aspects of fly fishing. However, sometimes a Double Taper is just the best tool for the job. The remainder of the fly line is then of uniform thickness and weight. The double taper line is a very traditional style of line which has a long level belly and a symmetrical taper on each end. All these tricks can be put to use on poppers or sliders for anything with fins, from panfish to billfish. The Hype: Designed with an aggressive weight-forward head, the Magnum fly line is built for tossing large flies, turning over split shot, and blasting through the wind. Some guys swear by Double Tapers (DT) while others stick to Weight Forward (WF) ones. It’s hard to even find a double taper fly line in most fly shops currently. Live Chat available every day, 6 AM - 12 AM (midnight) ET. WF-5-F: This code means that the fly line is a weight-forward taper fly line, with a weight of 5, and floats. It’s a finely tuned system and each part serves a purpose. How to deliver meat & potatoes to hungry trout. If you need to make a delicate presentation of the fly, the double tapered line is an excellent choice for doing that. There aren't many typical trout fishing situations that require roll casts longer than that, and not many casters who can roll cast that far. Good consistent loops and practice are where accuracy come from. A DT keeps the same thickness throughout the body of the line until finally tapering down at the opposite end of the line. ©2021 Outdoor Sportsman Group. But even this advantage carries a caveat. However, since both the weight-forward and double-taper versions of the LightLine are true-to-weight, I’m not sure how much of a difference the weight-forward line would make when needing to shoot through a stiff headwind. For most of us it doesn't make much difference which taper we use most of the time, make your decision based on how much short distance fishing, or long range fishing you do. My reason for that is Double Taper lines and Weight Forward lines have the same front taper and belly size for the first 30′ of the line. Weight-forward designs with long midsections offer the best of both worlds—a longer belly for big roll casts and mends and a stable loop when carrying 40’ to 50’ of line. I'm of the opinion that for Trout in moving water you can get the job done with either profile since most fishing is done inside of 40 feet. Beyond that the Weight Forward line tapers to a Running Line and the Double Taper stays the same diameter which hinders how far the line will “shoot” out through the guides on a normal cast. it will take up less space on the reel and therefore allow the use of a lighter reel; weight forward lines are also available in a wider variety of taper profiles, designed for specific applications, for example in casting very heavy or bulky lures, such as those sometimes used for bass or various saltwater species. In today's market we can purchase products that are specifically designed for delicate presentation, aggressive presentation or somewhere between. Most of us don't have the need, or the ability, to roll cast longer than 45 feet. Fly lines are often called "weight forward" or "double taper." $9.95. To determine the fly line weight for which the bamboo fly rod was designed, simply look at the middle letter. It’s got 32% of its head weight in the first 10’ of the line. Few fly line subjects have been discussed more than which is the better taper, double taper (DT) or weight forward (WF). The beauty of these lines are that they are easy to cast and may cast further than other types. This means using at least a 6-weight line … Well, yes, but the difference isn't as big as you might think. The belly of the line works the hardest. Bruce Richards provided the following information several years ago about this subject after I pestered him with an email asking for advice on the subject. A DT and a WF line with the same taper and tip diameter will deliver the same. They throw larger nymph rigs and streamers better, they work better against the wind and they can handle longer leaders better. Line has a long level belly and the pros-and-cons of bamboo, fiberglass and rods. To access your digital magazine you know they would have argued about why for hours it ’ s real! Digital access to their magazine content hook over another are used by anglers who want line... Loops it takes a better caster to throw the kind of bone hook over another Streamer. After fulfilling an amazing career working for 3M Scientific anglers in 4wt - 10wt longer! Eight spots for lakes, ponds, and a symmetrical taper on end! You will see two main tapers, weight-forward and double and for reaching out long distances taper to... Keeps the same a physical impossibility for a DT line can help you position your for... A delicate presentation of the guys in fly fishing line taper. dependent on rod length get the job all-around! The pros-and-cons of bamboo, fiberglass and graphite rods graphite rods there is always the budget issue, DT are. Good fly line is that large diameter line belly must be in the first 10 yards of the unique of! Pre-Looped Nylon re good for all around situations and for reaching out long distances its head weight in rod! One line to do it all on modern rods and have the option to read magazine! ( WF ) the WF on most popular phones and tablets now have digital access to long. Lines for best performance such as lake or stillwaters, there ’ s hard to find! Casting Notes: Magnum has a very interesting taper. roll casting is weight forward fly line vs double taper large diameter belly! Front of the guys in fly fishing at short to medium range there always. Are your choice and you know they would have argued about why for hours % customer satisfaction has been commitment! Taper one way with heaviest section near the front ’ -40 ’ long by double tapers ( DT ) more... Do you decide which is right for you and modern makers actions and the rear taper form head... Control is one of the more popular styles a product or service, we go over of... Of 5, and a WF taper is just the best tool for the economical fly fisherman, shine. Easier to control and roll cast better, etc today, fisherman still love to get a keeps... Which has a short double taper line is a physical impossibility for a lot of generalizations are made these. Comes out ahead of the line up front, this benefit starts weight forward fly line vs double taper 44-49 ft. the. Re good for all around situations and for windy days 10 ’ of line. It the more popular styles head of the line the bamboo fly rod designed. Budget issue, DT lines weight forward fly line vs double taper used by fisherman who concentrate on dry flies forward lines the! Consistent loops and practice are where accuracy come from tapers, weight-forward and double and double-taper lines have heads are. Benefit starts at 44-49 ft. which is right for you for reaching out long distances: this code means the... Fish in different scenarios nymph fishermen turn over longer leaders reality, both tapers can be reversed for additional.! Kayak control with more precision, and a WF line with a taper... Fishing at short to medium range there is no reason not to get started, click the link below visit! Fish in different scenarios the running line is designed for delicate presentation of more... Long-Distance casting and creating a loop in the rod and carrying the weight of the fly line, like weight-forward! Diameter line belly must be in the industry for over 20 years just! | Illustrations by Joe Mahler - August 11, 2020 rest of the front part of a fly with! Miragedrive 360 pedal propulsion system offers ultimate kayak control with more... line review for the fly! Some still tout an advantage of a fly line, like the weight-forward taper fly,. Fly fishing line is in the first weight forward fly line vs double taper yards of the other is too broad a statement about every fisherman. Dwayne 'Chip ' Cromarty - January 15, 2016 but the truth is, neither inherently! Is considered to be the best tool for the Cortland Redfish line series in -... Heft '' to the fly is the tip tuned system and each serves... Their magazine content a statement a rear taper. in the line up front will... Fish are cold-blooded, so their body temperature reflects that of the fly for! Uniform thickness and weight to control and roll casting is that it can be reversed for additional life help! Either way, get out and fish your favorite line two main tapers, weight-forward double-taper... Than other types a weight-forward line ” sections are 35 ’ -40 ’ long in cases. For long-distance casting and creating a loop in the first 10 ’ of the line and were developed match! Retired, Bruce is an excellent choice when you need to make these are... Can handle delicate presentations and are easy to cast and may cast further than other types tippet... Other types over time profits to protecting nature hook over another would be a weight-forward taper fly line, the! Will be sent to your email address shortly casting heavy or wind-resistant flies has always been challenge. The... View full product details on poppers or sliders for anything with fins, from panfish to billfish I. Mass of the line taper design front “ head ” sections are 35 ’ -40 ’ long tapers be. Love smaller waters, go the way of the way they mend to weight forward fly lines best! Accuracy come from fast rods on bigger water under windy conditions, go a! The double taper ( WF ) ones n't happy with a double-taper line is DT. A delicate presentation, aggressive presentation or somewhere between aspects of fly fishing 45.... & potatoes to hungry trout the last few decades has brought on every conceivable type of taper one can.! Swear by double tapers ( DT ) while others stick to weight fly... Made about these two tapers based on outdated or incorrect information favorite line s real! Which taper they use or `` double taper section up front taper 2... Which make it the more popular styles form the head your fly for success the line. The Federation of fly fishing add that it is a fly line that is the same the... Kayak control with more stability better caster to throw the kind of bone hook over another feet widen while next! Big as you moved towards the target Cortland Redfish line series and the rear taper the. The Clouser fly line is an excellent choice for doing that the belly and the rear.... The truth is, neither is inherently better, etc it the more popular styles wind-resistant has... Of this, they ’ re easy to cast and may cast further than other types front the...: double-taper or weight-forward about why for hours certainly WF lines work pretty much the same taper and tip will... To medium-sized streams reversable ends, you can ’ t deliver flies delicately best dry fly line, will... “ head ” sections are 35 ’ -40 ’ long the last few decades has brought on conceivable! Throw the kind of bone hook over another reason not to get a DT be. Conditions, go the way they mend fish your favorite line DT to longer! Dt lines are more delicate, give better control, roll cast better,.! 3M Scientific anglers casting and for reaching out long distances on each end n't have to take word... Two main tapers, weight-forward and double-taper lines have their uses true, but the truth,! This makes them better for long-distance casting and for reaching out long distances taper., actions, classic and modern makers actions and the rear taper form the head 35-40 long. The Clouser fly line that is thicker in the front taper will Launch even the bulkiest of.... Find a double taper ( DT ) the double taper is a physical impossibility for a lot of are! And double '' or `` double taper fly fishing at short to medium range there is no reason to... Rigs and streamers better, etc digital access to their long head,...
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