Fly Rods

Why Your Fly Line Choice Matters

Your fly line is arguably the most critical component of your fly fishing setup, directly affecting casting performance, presentation quality, and fish-catching success. While rods and reels get significant attention, experienced anglers know that a premium fly line matched to your specific fishing situation makes more difference than any other single piece of equipment. The right line loads your rod efficiently for effortless casts, presents flies with deadly accuracy, and provides the control necessary for hook sets and fighting fish effectively.

Modern fly line technology has advanced dramatically, offering specialized tapers, coatings, and densities engineered for specific applications. From delicate dry fly presentations on spring creeks to turning over large streamers in heavy current, from fishing subsurface with sink tips to reaching depths with full sinking lines, today's fly lines deliver performance that earlier generations of anglers could only dream about.

Freshwater Fly Lines for Trout, Bass, and More

Our freshwater fly line collection covers every scenario from technical spring creek fishing to bass bug slinging. Scientific Anglers, the company that invented modern fly line technology in 1952, continues leading innovation with their Amplitude series featuring revolutionary AST Plus slickness additive for longer casts and better floatation. Rio's Premier series offers specialized freshwater lines including their Creek line designed specifically for small stream fishing with tapers that load at close range, and their Technical Trout line for delicate presentations of small flies to selective feeders.

Whether you're nymphing Euro-style with specialized nymph lines, presenting dry flies with floating lines engineered for delicate turnover, or swinging streamers with intermediate and sink tip options, our freshwater selection ensures you have the perfect tool for your preferred technique and target species.

Saltwater Fly Lines Built for the Flats and Beyond

Saltwater fly fishing demands specialized lines engineered to withstand harsh conditions while delivering the distance and accuracy required for spooky fish in challenging environments. Our saltwater fly line collection features purpose-built options for redfish, bonefish, stripers, tarpon, and other saltwater species. Rio's DirectCore Flats Pro and Elite series provide the stiffness needed for cutting through wind while maintaining the delicate presentations that flat-dwelling fish demand, while Scientific Anglers' Amplitude Smooth series delivers ultra-slick performance for maximum distance.

These saltwater-specific lines feature cores and coatings engineered to perform in extreme heat and salt exposure without degrading, ensuring your line maintains its performance characteristics season after season. Specialized tapers designed for saltwater casting help you turn over heavy flies and long leaders in windy conditions—critical capabilities for success in challenging saltwater environments.

Understanding Fly Line Density Options

Floating Lines

Floating fly lines remain the most versatile option for the majority of fly fishing situations. They excel for dry fly fishing, shallow nymphing, and any scenario where you want your fly near the surface. Modern floating lines feature advanced coatings that provide exceptional floatation, requiring minimal maintenance to stay riding high throughout long days on the water.

Intermediate and Sink Tip Lines

Intermediate sink tip fly lines offer the perfect balance between floating lines and full sinking options. These versatile lines feature sinking tips that allow you to fish at varying depths while maintaining a floating running line for easy mending and control. Sink tip lines excel for streamer fishing, fishing subsurface flies in moving water, and any situation where you need to get your fly down but maintain control and visibility of your line.

The benefit of sink tip technology is versatility—you enjoy the freedom of a floating line's control while gaining the ability to reach deeper water zones where fish are feeding. We carry sink tip fly lines in varying densities to match different current speeds and desired fishing depths.

Full Sinking Lines

Full sinking fly lines are essential tools for reaching fish holding in deeper water. While many people assume fly fishing is limited to shallow water, full sinking lines allow fly anglers to effectively fish depths that rival conventional fishing methods. These specialized lines sink throughout their entire length, allowing you to present flies at depths where traditional floating lines cannot reach.

Different sink rates—measured in inches per second—allow you to precisely target specific depth zones. Faster sinking lines quickly reach bottom in rivers or get deep in lakes, while slower sinking rates provide more gradual descents for mid-water presentations.

Matching Fly Lines to Your Fishing Style

Selecting the perfect fly line requires considering several key factors: the species you're targeting, the size and type of flies you'll be casting, the water conditions you typically fish, and your preferred fishing techniques. A technical trout angler presenting size 20 dry flies to selective risers needs an entirely different line than a striper fisherman casting large baitfish patterns to feeding fish in current.

At The Fish Hawk, our expert staff helps you navigate these choices, ensuring you select fly lines optimized for your specific fishing scenarios. We understand that investing in quality fly lines is essential for great fishing experiences, and we're committed to helping both beginners and experienced anglers make informed decisions that improve their time on the water.

Shop with Confidence

Browse our extensive fly line collection online and enjoy free shipping on orders over $200, with convenient $10 flat rate shipping on all other orders. Our selection includes the latest innovations from Scientific Anglers, Rio, and Cortland, ensuring you have access to the industry's finest fly lines. Whether you're replacing a worn line, upgrading to premium performance, or building your first complete fly fishing setup, you'll find the perfect fly line for your needs.

Complement your fly line purchase by exploring our collections of fly rods, reels, and fishing accessories—everything you need for successful days on the water. When you choose The Fish Hawk, you're not just buying equipment; you're gaining access to expertise, quality, and the support necessary to make every fishing trip more successful and enjoyable.

Discover the difference premium fly lines make in your casting, presentation, and catch rates. Shop our collection today and experience why anglers throughout the region trust The Fish Hawk for their most important fly fishing gear investments.

When shopping for a fly rod, there are many factors you will want to consider. These include, but are not limited to, the action of the rod, the weight of the rod, the length of the rod, and (most importantly) the desired application of the rod

Simply put, the action of the rod refers to the stiffness of and the way in which the rod flexes during the casting process. Fly rods are typically labeled as slow, medium, or fast action with faster fly rods being your stiffer, more powerful options and slower rods being your softer, more technical tools. The action of the rod influences the power, control, and accuracy the angler has over their cast. Different applications and casting styles call for different fly rod actions. It is also important to note that different manufacturers have different standards, so a fast fly rod from one manufacturer may feel much stiffer or slower than the corresponding fly rod action from a different manufacturer.

The weight of the fly rod relates to the weight of the fly line that it is designed to cast. While most fly rods are rated 2-12 weight, fly rods can range anywhere between 000-16+ weight! The weight of the rod you choose should correspond to the size of the fish you are targeting, the flies you plan to throw, and the conditions you expect to face. For example, a 4 weight rod is great for smaller trout on small to medium-sized streams, while an 8 weight rod is better for punching through the wind to reach saltwater species like bonefish or redfish.

The length of the rod is also an important consideration. Shorter rods are great for small streams where casting distance is limited and the cover is dense. On the other hand, longer rods are better for open water and allow anglers to cast further distances with greater control.

At The Fish Hawk, we carry a wide selection of fly fishing rods from the best brands in the industry. We take pride in our expertise when it comes to the rods we carry and are always available to answer questions that you may have when comparing fly rods for your next trip! Whether you are looking for 6” brook trout on a small stream or targetting tarpon on your next Florida fly fishing trip,our knowledgeable staff can help you choose the right rod for your specific needs! Shop our selection of fly fishing rods online today or visit us in-store!