The next thing to consider in understanding fly lines is its taper. The tapers in a fly line allow for casting and presentation. The taper is simply an adjustment to the fly line making it easier to cast in different conditions. Most lines are not a level taper line. This means the fly line will have fine adjustments (such as weight or diameter changes) at varying points of the fly line.
There are four primary types of fly line tapers, the two most important and heavily used being the weight forward taper and the double taper.
Weight Forward Taper (WF)The first and most popular taper is the Weight Forward Taper (WF). A fly line that has a weight forward taper has a slight extra weight and width built into the first 10 yards of the line, although some specialized lines extend or shorten this taper. Regardless, this extra weight on the front of the fly line allows for longer casts and better casts in windy conditions. It also is very versatile and fishes well in other conditions. The extra weight also helps turn over larger flies such as streamers. Because extra weight and width are on one end of the fly line, it is crucial that the line be put on correctly. A weight forward taper fly line cannot be reversed in the event the end of the line becomes cracked or damaged.
Double Taper (DT)The second primary type of fly line taper is the double taper (DT), which is very popular and used extensively. On this type of fly line, the first fifteen feet of the fly line gradually widen in diameter. The next sixty feet of the fly line remains a constant weight and width. Then in the last fifteen feet of the fly line (which rarely leaves the reel except for when big fish is caught) the line gradually loses weight and width at exactly the same rate as was gained on the front of the fly line. One benefit of this type of taper is that it can be reversed as both ends of the fly line are equal.
Level Taper (L) The next type of fly line taper is the Level Taper (L). The Level Taper is perhaps the easiest of the fly line tapers to understand simply because it has no taper! A level taper fly line has the exact same width and weight throughout its length.
Level taper fly lines float extremely well due to their even weight and width but are much more difficult to cast and control than other fly line tapers. Since the weight of the fly line is even throughout, the fly line has a tendency to make kind of a racket when it hits the water. Beginner anglers should stay away from level taper fly lines as they are more difficult to cast than other tapers.
Shooting Taper (ST)The last type of the 4 primary fly line tapers is the Shooting Taper (ST. ) This is a specialized fly line that was originally designed for tournament fly casting. This line is definitely not to be used by beginning fly fishermen. It is heavily weighted on the first twenty feet of fly line. Then it follows a uniform weight and thickness through the remainder of the line. This remaining section is much thinner than a weight-forward fly line. This added weight in the front along with a thinner remainder of line, allows an experienced angler to cast for greater distances. A major drawback is that the added weight in the front of the line causes it to make the fly hit the water harder and can cause a bit of a commotion to weary trout.
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