Small Stream Fly Line?

[Burtbords149]

Hey all I've recently been fishing some smaller streams and spring creeks (20-30 ft across) with some very spooky fish. I'm looking for a line suggestion to use on a 3 wt rod. I will be dry fly fishing almost exclusively with this line. I'm between a triangle taper and a double taper...but haven't ruled out the standard weight forward. Any ideas, suggestions?

any help is very much appreciated.

 

[Broadheadscreek]

Hey BB I find a double taper to be the ticket for most small stream work , how ever a weight forward will get the job done. When casting in tight spots it's harder to get a good presentation with any line due to your lines proximity to the water while casting. If you would like when we get together again to fish I can show you a few things that may help you out.

 

[Pete]

If you'll be casting mostly leader, it might not matter.

I'd go with the double taper.
Also, assuming very short casts, especially if you elect to go with a WF or triangle taper, consider "uplining" (ie. a 4 wt line on a 3 wt rod).

 

[Corndog]

Burt-e-ober,

Haven't seen you around in a while.

Let me know which line you want and I'll send it to you.

Cdog

 

[terry13111]

I use a DT3 for most of my small stream work. I really don't think it matters on small streams were most of your cast are short. I just like the idea of being able to flip it when one end gets worn out. I like the Hook&Hackle brand available on their website.

fly fishing supplies - tackle - rods - reels - fly rod blanks - fly tying - vises - rod building

 

[BRK TRT]

I use the low end Orvis WF F 3wt and have been for years.

My lines take a beating in the brush and briers along the stream and a high end line is just to expensive.

 

[AKSkim]

I use the orange coloured fly line.

 

[Bamboozle]

FWIW - I like the The Sci Angler Mastery Trout DT. It has the shortest front taper out there, even shorter than the same line in a WF. A shorter front taper gets the belly out past the tip top quicker and helps load the rod a bit better on really short casts although a 20-30 foot wide stream isn't exactly that small.

 

[Johnw]

I use a 4 weight DT on my 3 weight on small streams mostly because I find myself using a lot of rollcasts and the DT makes it much easier.

 

[Hllywd76]

Burt,

I may have a 3wt line home. Will check later.

You'll feel safe next time. Got new treads all around. you might have to jump to get in though...


Hllywd

 

[Burtbords149]

Ok I made up my mind and went out and bought a 3 wt. Rio Selective Trout line. It's a double taper with a very long front taper...I think this will work well when casting those size 28 olives and tricos on 7 or 8x. Thanks for all the input folks I'll be sure to post a full report of its performance.

 

[tompg]

I have no idea what the taper is but I have a cortland clear creek on my 2wt. It's very stealthy and casts nicely once you get used to it. It is made specifically for small streams,

 

[afishinado]

I agree that it doesn’t matter much between DT & WF with short casts on small streams. The front taper is exactly the same or nearly the same with either DT or WF with the major manufacturers:


Trout

Cortland - 444 Classic - Floating (90') DT

Fly Lines, Fly Leaders, and Fly Fishing Accessories - Rio Classic


I like to use Triangle Taper on my trout rods, it does all types of casts fairly well, especially roll casts, but on small streams, I don’t think it matters. The advice of using a line wt. heavier for small streams is good advice since not much line is past the tip to load the rod on such short casts.

 

[Ryan R]

Ok I made up my mind and went out and bought a 3 wt. Rio Selective Trout line. It's a double taper with a very long front taper...I think this will work well when casting those size 28 olives and tricos on 7 or 8x. Thanks for all the input folks I'll be sure to post a full report of its performance.

That's what I use. I have 3wt loaded for my 2wt rod.

 

[PRomano]

I've been using double taper fly lines for 30+ years; regardless if it's for small, medium or large streams. Am I missing something?

Years ago there were three tapers. Level (beginners) , double Taper (trout) and weight forward (bass bug and distance/tournament casters).
Today we have dozens of tapers. I just wonder if its all necessary or not. :dizzy:

 

[NJpatbee]

DT is a wise choice for small to mid sized waters. I prefer the presentation capabiities of the DT, and you can use the other side of the line to extend its life.

For the typical small WTS with little room to cast or for slinging weighted nymphs on any-sized water, I usually fish 1 additional line wt than the rod calls for to get a quicker load for a short cast.