Managing Your Fly Line

Fly fishing is a dynamic sport – it involves using your hands to manage the line as opposed to traditional tackle that sticks to the rods and reel. Exciting as the technique may be, controlling the fly line is one of fly fishing's distinct characteristics and one of the main reasons anglers are magnetically drawn to the sport. 

Now the need to manage your fly line is vital because the amount of line that’s outside of your reel when casting essentially determines your success. Most anglers new to the game often have a difficult time casting, hitting their mark, or getting drag-free drift because of poor line management. Moreover, it can likewise cause problems in setting the hook and battle with a hardy fish. Luckily, we've rounded up some tips to help you out today. 

Here are Some of Our Suggestions on Managing Your Fly Line

Casting

Casting is a skill in itself and largely depends on the amount of line you have out of your reel. This means managing your line effectively is key to hitting your mark. Having too much line can be just as detrimental as not having enough – you’ll need to have enough to reach your mark but also have enough slack so that it isn’t too tight when your fly lands. Casting with the right amount of line can help you cast more accurately, minimize tangles, and will allow for casting more complex presentations as well. 

Drifting and Mending

Contrary to other angling techniques, slack is good for fly fishing as it helps to lessen drag and allows your flies to float naturally in the water. If your fly doesn’t naturally drift in the water, it can spook the fish and leave you with an empty net. Therefore, managing your flies in relation to the current is crucial to your success. 

For example, if you’re below the flies when you cast out, your fly will naturally flow downstream towards you, which requires that you strip the line. Stripping ensures that you don’t have too much extra line in the water but you can alternatively lift the tip of your rod to adjust how much slack there is. Now, when your fly drifts past you, let out some slack until you attain roughly the same length of line that you had when you first cast. Following this technique allows for a smoother and more controlled drift with the current. 

Mending, on the other hand, is when you need to adjust your line’s position so that it’s aligned with your fly. To minimize or eliminate drag, you must mend according to your line's position with the current. This is achieved by lightly moving your wrist in a flicking motion, and/or moving the tip of your rod up a little. Just remember that you need to mend in the opposite direction of where your line is positioned to your fly.

Hookset

As mentioned earlier, having slack is crucial, but so is timing. Once you see your fly twitch or dip slightly, you’ll usually want to set your hook quickly. However, since you’re casting out at further distances with considerable slack, there will be an inevitable delay between the time you take action to hook the fish and when the hook actually responds. In short, if you have more slack, it takes longer for the reaction to take place, and vice versa. If you manage the amount of slack you have fairly well, you should have adequate response time and can minimize the delay. 

Remember, keeping your rod tip pointed upwards keeps the line tight, while pointing it down keeps it loose. Once you get a bite, you’ll need to remember how to keep the necessary amount of pressure when fighting your fish. If you have a small fish hooked, managing your line by stripping it should be enough, but for bigger catches, you’ll need to use your reel. If your fish tugs hard enough and releases your line, don't resist – let the fish take it and only reel it in when the fish is fatigued. If you can balance this delicate dance of push and pull, you should have no problems reeling in your fish.

Other Things to Consider

Controlling your line while fishing on a stream is much different than when fishing in a lake. Navigating the currents and obstructions all have a part to play in proper line management and also determines the amount of slack you need to give.

Anglers worth their weight in flys now that fly line management begins even before your boots or boat hit the water. Cleaning and stretching out your line is essential before riding out as this will prevent tangles, line memory, and let you cast further out. The last thing you want is to have to untangle a rat’s nest while the fish are hungry and biting around you. 

Secondly, wrapping the leader around the rear of the reel seat and inserting the fly in the second guide up the rod ensures that you can cast quickly. Doing it in this fashion will give you a few feet of fly line past your rod’s tip. So when you’re ready, you simply pick up your rod, unhook the fly, unwrap the leader from the reel seat, and cast out.

However, you also need to avoid having too many loops in your line, as this can easily cause your line to get tangled as well. You should only hold no more than one loop of the available fly line. This holds especially true when you’re wading on a stream.

Moreover, if you’re casting with your right hand, you should be wary of objects that can potentially snag your line on your left side. Ensure that it’s completely clear so that you eliminate your line getting caught as you strip the line with your left hand. Do the reverse if you’re casting with your left hand. 

Whether you’re in a kayak, on a boat, or just wading in a stream, your working area should be clear of any obstructions. While it may seem like common sense, it’s actually not uncommon for anglers to get their lines tangled up in bushes, rod holders, water bottles, and more. 

Keep in mind, you’ll also need to manage your stripped line as well, as this can cause unnecessary headaches. Some anglers use a wet towel or a container of some sort to catch the stripped line. Others simply let it fall in the water. Whatever you decide to do, make sure to keep an eye on it, and that it doesn’t get caught in any structures. 

Keep it Fly

Anglers know that anything can happen out on a trip despite all the necessary preparations and precautions. There will be times that your line will still get snagged, no matter how experienced you are. Although you’ll need to practice, do some trial and error, and have a little bit of patience, with our tips for managing your fly line, you’ll be hooking those fish in no time!