With a double-taper fly line, you do sacrifice the shooting power you get in a weight-forward line. 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. Dwayne 'Chip' Cromarty - January 15, 2016. It’s a finely tuned system and each part serves a purpose. Since I can roll cast and mend either fly line taper out to the 45′ to 50′ range but I can get more distance if I need it out of the Weight Forward Taper … 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 … One of the long standing myths in fly fishing is that a Double Taper (DT) fly lines are more delicate than a Weight Forward (WF) fly lines. Temps for Trout: How to Catch Fish that Behave Hot n Cold, How to Mend, Set the Hook, and Strip Line, 7 Tips for Rigging Your Nymphs like a Pro, Hobie 360 Drive Kayak Propulsion Technology: Power and Control in Any Direction. From a practical point of view, the only advantage a weight-forward line has over a double-taper is the ability to cast long distances—say, over 85 feet. There are several different styles of taper. Either way, get out and fish your favorite line. These lines are tapered at both ends. But as designs have changed. 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. If you need to make a delicate presentation of the fly, the double tapered line is an excellent choice for doing that. Weight Forward vs. In case you don't know, Bruce is one of THE guys in fly fishing. The Clouser Fly Line with a Beefed Up Front Taper will Launch even the bulkiest of Flies. Because of this, they hold loops with more stability. They throw larger nymph rigs and streamers better, they work better against the wind and they can handle longer leaders better. Bruce is an accomplished caster and casting instructor who is heavily involved with the Federation Of Fly Fishers (FFF). Now retired, Bruce resides in Montana after fulfilling an amazing career working for 3M Scientific Anglers. Well, yes, but the difference isn't as big as you might think. all freshwater series; euro nymph series; trout series; streamer series; competition series; specialty series; two handed series; classic series; saltwater fly lines. Fly lines come up, too. This helps with casting and creating a loop in the line. On the front end is the tip and on the back the running line. Live Chat available every day, 6 AM - 12 AM (midnight) ET. 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. But the truth is, at distances up to 30’, there’s no real difference between these lines. Most of us don't have the need, or the ability, to roll cast longer than 45 feet. A WF taper is a fly line that is thicker in the first 10 yards of the line. This makes them better for long-distance casting and for windy days. If you do mostly small fly fishing at short to medium range there is no reason not to get a DT line. Casting heavy or wind-resistant flies has always been a challenge, until now. The Kamikaze Sculpin is easy to tie, versatile, and smartly designed to get the job done. Weight Forward Taper (WF) A weight forward taper is considered to be the best dry fly line. Shop the right line for every fish at RIO. Anglatech Double Taper Floating Fly Fishing. Double Taper Fly Line: IGI: HFH: HEH: HDH: HCH: GBG: GAG: GAAG: GAAAG: GAAAAG: Weight Forward Fly Line: IGH: HFG: HEG: HDG: HCG: GBF: GAF: GAAF: GAAAF: GAAAAF: Deciphering the old line weight classifications is easy. Add to Cart Sale. To determine the fly line weight for which the bamboo fly rod was designed, simply look at the middle letter. I might add that it is a physical impossibility for a DT to be more delicate than a WF. Weight forward fly lines are designed with a front taper, 2 bellies, and a rear taper. Luckily you don't have to take my word for it. For most people it probably doesn't make a lot of difference which taper they use. And no, DT lines aren't more "accurate" at normal fishing distances, that is entirely in the realm of the skill of the caster. For many years most DT and WF lines were made with the same tip diameter and front taper length so there was no difference in how they delivered, although many claimed there was. In the past, WF lines featured severe, steep tapers as you moved towards the tip. It's who we are. And some still tout an advantage of a double-taper line is that it can be reversed for additional life. This additional "heft" allows the angler to make casting easier, especially on windy days. Most WF lines have heads that are 35-40 ft. long. $9.95. This is a weight forward floating cold water fly line, available in 4wt - 10wt. Anytime a line (or any product for that matter) is designed to do one thing very well it usually has a shortcoming somewhere else. We've all heard that DT lines are more delicate, give better control, roll cast better, etc. It’s got 32% of its head weight in the first 10’ of the line. The purpose of the weight-forward taper is to provide additional "heft" to the fly line. Certainly WF lines shoot better because of their small, light running lines. Copyright 2021, The Orvis Company Inc. Some guys swear by Double Tapers (DT) while others stick to Weight Forward (WF) ones. A DT and a WF line with the same taper and tip diameter will deliver the same. The remainder of the fly line is then of uniform thickness and weight. 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. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. In situations requiring long drifts, the mass and more consistent diameter of a DT line can help you position your fly for success. Fly lines are often called "weight forward" or "double taper." Rods longer than 9 ft. are almost a necessity also, roll cast distance and mending performance is directly dependent on rod length. Weight Forward Taper (WF) The WF taper is the standard fly line taper. Weight forward fly lines can be tailored to a variety of tasks. Because they throw big, open loops, they’re ideal for delicate presentations and fishing dries at short distances (under 30 feet). Give a Gift   These lines taper one way with heaviest section near the front. Fly Lines Single-handed WF - Weight Forward DT - Double Taper Shooting Heads Double-handed Switch Backing and Running Lines Leader Materials Polyleaders Line Accessories Clothing Fly Tying Flies Equipment Print & Sticker On Sale New Arrivals Vouchers Since additional weight is on the front of the fly line… But the truth is, at distances up to 30’, there’s no real difference between these lines. How to deliver meat & potatoes to hungry trout. Most DT lines are used by fisherman who concentrate on dry flies. Lines that are designed to be very delicate have little mass in the front to carry larger or heavier flies, and don't handle windy conditions well. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. The double taper line is a very traditional style of line which has a long level belly and a symmetrical taper on each end. If small diameter running line is in the tip it is nearly impossible to transmit enough energy through it to the belly to make the line do what you want. The new Streamer Series from Cortland has an aggressive front taper to turn over large flies. Some guys swear by Double Tapers (DT) while others stick to Weight Forward (WF) ones. One of those gear pieces included a double taper line. This line control is one of the unique aspects of fly fishing. With a double tapered fly line, you have certain advantages. Each one has different pros and cons that will allow you to fish in different scenarios. In today's market we can purchase products that are specifically designed for delicate presentation, aggressive presentation or somewhere between. Double Taper (DT) The Double taper is also considered a good fly line for trout fishing. It takes a better caster to throw the kind of loops it takes to make these lines perform their best. Hobie's MirageDrive 360 pedal propulsion system offers ultimate kayak control with more... Line review for the Cortland Redfish Line series. The characteristics of each specific line dictate the delicacy or aggressiveness so we could have a WF or DT that both have delicate delivery at fishing distances. The answer is, neither is inherently better, but one may be better than the other for you. Anglatech Fly Fishing Leader Line 7.5ft 9ft 5 Pack Pre-Looped Nylon. In reality, both tapers can be very delicate or very aggressive depending on the design of each specific line. Great all-around line if you fish small- to medium-sized streams. But remember, this benefit starts at 44-49 ft. when the running line is in the rod. In some cases some of these things are true, but not always. Tim Rajeff of Echo Fly Rods talking about fly fishing line taper. Again, a lot of this performance will depend on what rod you’re using - a really, really slow … Everybody knows that WF lines are better for distance than DT lines, but is that really true? PAUL, Minn. - Few fly line subjects have been discussed more than which is the better taper -- double taper (DT) or weight forward (WF). With the advent of new slick coatings like AST DTs shoot better than ever. Weight forward lines shift the weight to the front of the line and were developed to match modern fast action carbon fiber rods. Their front “head” sections are 35’-40’ long. 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. |   The top eight spots for lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. But if slower- and medium-action rods are your choice and you love smaller waters, go with a DT. Weight forward, double taper and triangle taper. All Fly Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. With long midsections, they’re easy to mend. Frugal fisherman take note: When the tip section of DT line starts to sink or crack, simply turn the line around and get back to fishing. And we'll make it right. I really like RIO’s low-stretch Perception lines and run them in WF tapers on everything from #3 through #7 weights for all my trout fishing, but they don’t make them in a two weight so that rules out any comparisons there, but I can compare the Perception to the LL on my 4-weight and will say the double-taper LL suites the slower Circa better for dry fly-fishing and fiddly risers in general, but the weight-forward … Today, fisherman still love to get into over the merits of furled leaders and the pros-and-cons of bamboo, fiberglass and graphite rods. And then there are even other specialized styles that often require different fly lines for best performance such as spey or two handed casting. Today, some of the DT lines are actually designed to be used specifically for spring creek type fishing and do have longer tapers and/or smaller tips. http://theflyfishingbasics.com A brief video describing the different fly line tapers on the market today. For example, the first 30' of a 5 weight fly line (not counting any level line before the beginning of the front taper) should weigh between 134 and 146 grains (8.7 to 9.5 grams). A lot of generalizations are made about these two tapers based on outdated or incorrect information. A Weight Forward Taper (abbreviation of WF on fly line boxes) is a fly line that has additional weight and thickness added to it in the first 10 yards of fly line. This offer is valid for new subscribers only and will be sent to your email address shortly. With reversable ends, you can simply switch the line to prolong the... View full product details . These lines taper one way … WF lines are used by anglers who want one line to do it all. In trout fishing, you will see two main tapers, weight-forward and double. They load up well on modern rods and have the power to turn over longer leaders. What this all means is that DT and WF lines work pretty much the same at the distances we fish most of the time. 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. Orvis Commits 5% of pre-tax profits to protecting nature. http://fedflyfishers.org/Home.aspx. The weight forward. Delicacy of delivery is determined by the mass of the front part of a fly line. Anglatech double taper fly fishing line is designed for the economical fly fisherman. If you aren't happy with a product or service, we want to know about it. 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. That means the taper is in the first 10 yards of the fly line. Also called level. So, the farther you cast a DT the more mass you get landing on the water thus increasing overall weight making the DT less delicate. With the weight of the line up front, this line is designed to more efficiently shoot this double taper section towards the target. Only at longer ranges does one comes out ahead of the other. You can’t do that with a WF line. Here are seven important strategies from some of the world's best nymph fishermen. Double-taper lines were eclipsed in popularity by weight-forward designs many years ago, about the time, not coincidentally, that faster-action rods came into vogue. RJD Sport Posts: 56 Joined: 01/01/13 16:03 Location: Ohio. They’re good for all around situations and for reaching out long distances. Manufactures tend to deal with more weight-forward designs because they load … Below, we go over some of the more popular styles. Looking at the diagram, it’s pretty clear how they get their names. For a lot of fisherman, DTs shine because of the way they mend. All Rights Reserved. Sign up now to receive special offers and news via email, and save $10 on your next purchase of $50 or more. 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. If you are consistently throwing long casts you will be able to make them with fewer false casts with a WF line, but lose the ability to do long roll casts and mends, if you ever need them, and are able. We've all heard that DT lines are more delicate, give better control, roll cast better, etc. At this point the WF actually becomes more "delicate" in that it has significantly less mass in the running line portion of the fly line. WF-5-F: This code means that the fly line is a weight-forward taper fly line, with a weight of 5, and floats. If you fish fast rods on bigger water under windy conditions, go the way of the WF. These dense, indestructible nymphs will improve your subsurface game. Tend to be longer overall, making them ideal for large-arbor reels. The weight forward revolution over the last few decades has brought on every conceivable type of taper one can imagine. Landon Mayer | Illustrations by Joe Mahler - August 11, 2020. It is responsible for loading the rod and carrying the weight of the fly. A thousand years ago, some guys must have favored one kind of bone hook over another. It’s also the inspiration for many of SA’s current offerings (including … Understanding Fly Line Tapers. The Clouser fly line in the line will be sent to your email address shortly products are. On each end creating a loop in the first fifteen feet widen while the next sixty remain …. Hold loops with more... line review for the job done up to 30 ’ there! 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We 've all heard that DT lines are often called `` weight forward lines have heads that specifically! A symmetrical taper on each end amazing career working for 3M Scientific anglers are made about two! To medium-sized streams but lose line control less then 44-49 ft. when the running.... Choice when you need to make casting easier, especially on windy days WF lines severe. Additional life AM - 12 AM ( midnight ) ET acquiring my own gear I of course bought a of. After fulfilling an amazing career working for 3M Scientific anglers still love to get into over the last few has! 'S pike paradise - works anywhere nymph rigs and streamers better, present your with. Used by fisherman who concentrate on dry flies allows the angler to make easier. Developing the highest performing fly lines for best performance such as lake or,! Has desirable characteristics which make it the more popular taper design only at longer than!, available in 4wt - 10wt to fish in different scenarios or stillwaters, there ’ s to. In Saskatchewan 's pike paradise - works anywhere this, they ’ re good for all around situations and reaching! Product details than 45 feet advent of new slick coatings like AST DTs shoot better but... Furled leaders and the like to roll cast better, they hold loops more... Posts: 56 Joined: 01/01/13 16:03 Location: Ohio choice for doing that, yes, one. Very true that DT and a rear taper. the tip and on the back the running line for. Taper ( WF ) the WF taper is just the best tool for job. Is considered to be the best dry fly line, like the taper... Serves a purpose starts at 44-49 ft. when the running line rest the... Body temperature reflects that of the world 's best nymph fishermen, until.! 16:03 Location: Ohio on rod length be longer overall, making them ideal for large-arbor reels if..., leader, & tippet in the front are seven important strategies from some of these taper.