On Fly Line Colors

On Fly Line Colors

Probably the most debated topic with the least consensus in the history of fly fishing. If you bring an orange line anywhere in New Zealand, they’ll literally make you take it off your reel and replace it.

Orange lines show up better, however, so you can mend them, see your loops and all that.

I fish tan, moss, brown and gray lines on fresh water. (Almost always weight-forward, although I fish double tapers on bamboo or fiberglass.)

I use blue or tan lines in salt water. I pay less attention to line color in salt than in fresh.

Most importantly, the longer your leader, the less fly line colors matter, and a fish should never see your fly line in any situation.

Brian Flechsig from Mad River Outfitters and Flip Pallot discuss fly line colors and visibility: bright colors are for anglers to see, cast and manage fly lines more efficiently.

Also, check out our head-to-head matchup of two all-around, weight-forward, “half-size heavy” fly lines (SA vs. RIO).