What follows below are some general guidelines for understanding how to relate the use of fly line design to your student or students. Common misperceptions about the nature fly line design are an every day occurrence. Some might say that a Double Taper line (DT) does not cast well at longer distances, while others may argue over whether or not the Weight Forward (WF) design is a good line to Roll Cast with. A competent instructor will know the limitations and advantages of each design. That said, a competent instructor should easily be able to Roll Cast with both the WF and the DT, but also understand which might be the better choice if one where to be doing a lot of long distance Roll Casting on a particular outing. A competent instructor should also be able to easily cast to 75 or 80 feet with both the WF and DT but also understand which design might be a better choice if one were going to be overhead casting, 50 feet + for most of their fishing day. By understanding the basic WF
and DT designs you will be better prepared to relate to your students
some of the many fly line choices that are on the market today and
help them make an educated decision as to which line would best suit
there purposes or even casting style for that matter. Below is a set of definitions from Bruce Richards defining the major components of a fly line.
FRONT TAPER – Tip diameter and front taper length determine how a fly is delivered. Longer front tapers dissipate energy for more delicate presentation. Shorter front tapers transfer more energy from the belly to the tip for powerful turnover. BELLY – This section with the greatest diameter, the belly also carries the majority of the casting energy. Longer bellies increase casting distance and accuracy. Shorter belies shoot better and cast faster, but sacrifice accuracy. REAR TAPER – Rear taper length determines how smoothly you can cast. Longer rear tapers transmit energy smoothly to the belly for increased distance and control. Shorter rear tapers put the running line in the guides more quickly for quicker casts. RUNNING LINE – This section helps make distance casting easier. Running lines are very lightweight, which permits the energy stored in the lines head to pull the running line through the guides during casting. The smaller diameter of the running line also creates less friction in the guides which promotes longer casts. HEAD – The head, formed by the
front taper, belly and rear taper, dictates the effective casting
and control range of a line. Short heads cast quickly, but can sacrifice
distance. Long heads, offer more long range control, but can require
more false casting to clear the head from the rod. These terms can be seen in both the WF and DT diagrams provided below. WEIGHT FORWARD LINE (WF) - A staple in today's fly fishing arsenal. It has a front taper, a belly, and a rear taper. The WF is the most versatile design on the market today and is designed to accommodate many diverse fishing and casting situations from midge fishing to distance casting, as well as its many saltwater applications (see taper design on main page). Often misunderstood as a poor roll casting line, today's WF designs with longer belly's and graduated rear tapers make this design an excellent choice for roll casting in the hands of a competent caster.
DOUBLE TAPER (DT) - Another staple in line design it features a level belly throughout most of its length and identical tapers at both ends of the line. The long level belly makes this line an excellent roll casting line. Contrary to what some may say a DT can be cast to its entire length making long casts possible in the hands of a competent caster.
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