Spey lines.

Spey lines for salmon and steelhead.

Choosing Spey lines.

Spey casting fly lines

There are a large number of different fly line profiles suitable for salmon fly fishing available nowadays, certainly numerically sufficient to confuse the inexperienced beginner if not the "expert". In this piece and associated pages I aim to briefly describe the qualities possessed and the pros and cons of these different types from the point of view of a practical salmon fly fisherman.

Some lines catch more fishermen than fish and it occasionally takes just a few complementary comments published on a forum or a favourable magazine review to promote lines and gain large sales which to be honest are occasionally ill-deserved.

Such endorsement may not be earned by proficient or prolonged use and experience of the lines. On letsflyfish.com you will find several manufacturers lines mentioned but only those of which I have personal experience and that I am able to recommend on that basis. This does not mean that the lines mentioned are the only ones that you might consider, I am sure that there are many other good (and bad) lines that I have either not used of have not used sufficiently to give an honest, experience based opinion.

The information given is intended to assist fly fishers choice of the most suitable line for your Spey casting and salmon fishing, ultimately the angler has to make that pick and often the initial favourable impression of a new line is gained simply because it is clean and slick. Keeping lines in good condition is a prerequisite to good casting. So first a few tips on looking after fly lines, or at least what I do to try to preserve them. This will save you money!

Cleaning fly lines

During fishing, dirt and algae adhere to your fly line. At least a couple of times a year (more if conditions demand it) cleaning is important both for performance and longevity of the line.

1. Strip the fly line from your reel.

2. Wash the line in the sink with mild soap (not detergent) & water.

3. Towel dry, and treat with fly line dressing.

Line dressings can be purchased at most tackle shops or PVC polish such as Armoral (available from Halfords etc.) is good for making lines slick. Most lines come with instructions on how to look after them, read them and follow the manufacturers advice. Some manufacturers e.g.. Snobee provide line dressing with their fly lines.

Do not allow insect repellent to come into contact with fly lines. Deet (component of fly dope) will react with PVC plastic and your fly line may dissolve. Make sure you wash you hands after applying fly dope.

Direct sunlight and high ambient temperatures are not good for fly lines but cannot always be avoided. Specially formulated lines are made for tropical regions, they have harder compound that can withstand the softening effect of the heat.

Fly fishing tackle reviews

1. Introduction to reviews
2. Thomas & Thomas DNA 14ft 5 piece Spey rod
3. Patagonia SST wading jacket
4. Partridge Supreme dry and wet fly hooks
5. Partridge Patriot double & Heavy single hooks
6. Rio Hover sub-surface fly line
7. Joan Wulff's NEW Fly-Casting Techniques book.
8. Spey line discussion
9. Weight Forward Spey lines
10. Rio AFS shooting heads
11. Lee Wulff Triangle taper Spey lines
12. Double taper lines
13. Choosing shooting lines
14. Seaguar and Grand Max Soft Plus Flurocarbon
15. EyeTie fly leader threader
16. Snowbee Delicate Presentation Fly Line
17. Wychwood Presentation fly line