| Understanding
how the taper of the fly line works to enhance your casting
and increase fishing productivity is based on an understanding
of taper configuration. In this sense not all tapers are created
equal. As instructors it is our responsibility to understand
as best we can all things related to fly casting. Is there
anything having to do with fly casting that is more important
than the fly line itself?
Bruce Richards has
been the guiding force at Scientific Angler for almost 30
years, in the area of fly line design and development; he
is also a member of the FFF Casting Board of Governor's, Casting
Instructors Certification Program. His insights into the nature
of taper design are invaluable and allow us to better understand
how to relate this "seemingly complicated" subject
in a simple and straight forward manner. What follows below
are significant insights into the nature of fly lines from
Bruce's book entitled Modern Fly Lines.
"The primary purpose
of the front taper of the fly line is to allow proper delivery
of the fly and leader. The taper from the belly of the line
to the tip acts to reduce the mass of the line. As the loop
of any fly line travels through the air, the mass of the moving
part of the line decreases because that part becomes shorter.
In tapered lines it decreases even more because the line becomes
smaller towards the tip. This increases acceleration, resulting
in greater wind resistance and greater energy dissipation,
and therefore a more delicate delivery. |
Obviously, heavy
and wind resistant flies offer more resistance to the fly
line than light, small flies. Lines with long front tapers
have less mass in the front section of the line than lines
with shorter front tapers. Less mass means earlier acceleration,
earlier dissipation of energy, and a more gentle, less powerful
delivery which will effectively deliver small, light flies,
like most trout flies. Lines with short front tapers dissipate
energy less efficiently, resulting in a more powerful "turnover",
suitable for the heavier, wind resistant flies usually used
for bass or saltwater fishing.
Casting into the wind increases the wind resistance the line
encounters, and more energy is dissipated from the line than
in calm-air or downwind casts. Lines with shorter front tapers,
which dissipate energy less efficiently, work better for most
anglers casting into the wind. When all else is equal, lines
with longer tapers deliver less powerfully than lines with
shorter tapers. It is the actual line weight that determines
the range of fly sizes that can be cast effectively. A light
line (2 to 5- weights) with a short, powerful taper is not
going to throw big bass bugs well, because the line is just
to light to carry the energy necessary to overcome the resistance
offered by a large bug. |
It should be mentioned
that the tapered leaders tied to the end of fly lines continue
the dissipation of casting energy. If you have ever cast a
line without a leader, you probably noticed it did not cast
well. Lines are designed to be cast with leaders. A properly
designed line will have just the right amount of energy left
at the end of the cast to turn over the leader and deliver
the fly. If a line is cast without a leader, it will 'kick'
and be most difficult to cast.
Lines are designed to be cast with a particular leader commonly
used with that size type of line. A light fly line will be
overpowered by a heavy saltwater leader; the line will not
have enough energy to turn it over properly. By the same token,
a light trout leader won't be able to handle the large amount
of energy a heavy saltwater line passes to it, and the line
will 'kick.' Casting a level line with no front taper demonstrates
very clearly how tapering effects the way a line casts. Even
with the correct tapered leader, level lines 'kick' when casting
because thy have so much undissipated energy left when the
line straightens. To avoid the kick the caster must modify
his or her casting stroke to reduce the amount of casting
energy by slowing the line and by casting with a larger, more
wind-resistant loop. |
Level lines turn
over very abruptly and land on the water forcefully because
the energy dissipates poorly because the tip is just plain
heavy without the line taper. Sinking lines are said to 'hinge'
when cast; there is a significant change in the density where
the floating and sinking parts of the line join. If cast correctly,
a properly designed sinking-tip line does not 'hinge' but
rather 'kicks' just as the level line does. The tip of a sinking
line is very heavy and dissipates energy poorly. To compound
the problem, lines with very high density tips are very small
in diameter and offer less wind resistance even when the do
finally accelerate. The key to casting these lines effectively
is the same for level lines, namely to open the casting loop
and slow the line down as much as possible.
The ability of the caster is important to consider. Lines
with longer, more delicate tapers require good loop control
and may be difficult for an inexperienced caster to use. There
are lines on the market specifically geared toward beginning
casters, lines with shorter tapers that dissipate energy less
quickly during the cast. Most novices cast with relatively
wide, open loops that are quite wind-resistant. If a line
with a long, delicate taper is cast with this kind of loop,
too much energy is dissipated and the line and leader will
not straighten. With a shorter, more powerful taper, effective
deliveries can be made even with less than perfect technique. |
Instructors may often overlook the
fly line a student is casting with. Ask the student what line
it is they are using. This may be especially important when
dealing with advanced or intermediate casters.
For example, many intermediate casters attempting to cast
a line to 75 or 85 feet are simply unaware that in the case
of a Weight Forward line, they must learn to control and understand
what "overhang" is, and how it will affect their
ability to control the line for longer casts. Overhang is
simply the position of the rod tip in relation to the distance
between the running line and the end of the rear taper. While
experienced casters can control lots of overhang the intermediate
caster should not attempt to cast with more than 2 or 3 feet
of overhang outside of the rod tip. It is highly recommended
that an approximate overhang point be marked with a permanent
magic marker allowing the student/ caster a consistent "pick
up" point that will promote greater efficiency when learning
to cast a longer line. Again we turn to "Modern Fly lines"
for a detailed description of why understanding "overhang"
is critical. |
"A fly line is controlled by the tip of the fly rod, the
angler's last point of contact. The rod tip moves the part of
the line that is in the rod tip, and that part of the line moves
the rest of the line. For the rod-tip part of the line to move
and control the rest of the line effectively, it should have
enough mass to move the line connected to it.
A good caster can cast effectively with running line in the
tip, however, if the line is kept very straight during the cast.
Energy can be transmitted through the straight, small- diameter
running line to the head of the line. But it usually desirable
to choose a line with a belly that will insure the belly is
at least very close to the rod tip during overhead casting,
roll casting, or mending."
In closing it is important to note that it is the fly line that
delivers the fly to the target. Understanding how fly lines
transmit energy to deliver the fly to the target is predicated
on a firm understanding of taper design.
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Although this is a non-profit
site we do have access to copies of Modern Fly Lines, (127pgs.), for
those that are interested in improving their understanding of fly
line theory. Contact the Site
Manager and we will gladly arrange to have a copy of this book
sent to you for $20.00, including postage fee. This is a non-profit
deal for VFC but feel the book is well worth the purchase.
We welcome all contributions from Rio, Airflo, Sage, Wulff Traingle
Taper, and Cortland, in hopes that we may present a balanced presentation
of everyone's favorite fly line and fly line design.
Happy Casting! VFC.COM
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