Best Line for Small/Medium Size Streams

[TheDuke44]

The fly line on my go-to setup began taking on some water towards the end of this season, and I was thinking of treating myself to a new fly line to spool up for next year. I'm starting to realize the options are pretty endless, and am starting to consider exactly what kind of taper would suit my fishing and casting style best.

I rarely fish big water and I admittedly don't have a great casting stroke. I typically throw indicator nymph rigs on small/medium size streams (rarely wider than 30/40 feet), but will throw dries when I hit a hatch or am prospecting new water with a dry dropper.

Since I fish smaller streams that are often tight along the banks, along with throwing heavier indi rigs, I roll cast roughly 80% of the time.

I liked the look of Airflo's "power taper" in hopes that the agressive WF taper with a shorter total head length will help easily turn over shorter roll casts, but I wonder if I might be better suited to fishing a DT line since I rarely need to cast far enough to even use the full head length or get into the running line anyhow.

I will likely see if any shops will let me test out a variety of lines prior to making a decision, but I will save that until warmer weather arrives. In the meantime, I'm curious to hear what you all think.

 

[redietz]

My own philosophy is to always go with DT unless there is some reason not to. YMMV.

 

[StreamBottom]

Same DT. My go to is the 444 Peach.
Check out Bam's post, good info.

Post in thread 'Four Weight Line'

Jun 4, 2025

I concur with double taper recommendation...

If like you said, you are talking about "dry fly fishing in small streams in Pennsylvania," I heartily recommend the Sci Angler Mastery DT for a few reasons:

It is a true-to-weight/standard taper double taper fly line, the color ain't half bad, it is the SAME color AND taper on both ends and it has line loops on both ends which you can cut-off if you desire.

Most importantly (to me) it has a short front taper. That equates to requiring less fly line out past the tip top to get into the belly of the fly line and load your rod on the short...

• Bamboozle

• 

 

[poopdeck]

Cortland 444 classic peach. WF for really no reason. I put it on all my rods because fly line choices are mostly always the wrong choice for me. I’ve removed myself from the fly line circus. Is it the best for roll casting small streams, I don’t know but that never stopped me from roll casting small streams with it.

 

[Swattie87]

I prefer DT’s too for this application, though they’re harder to find than they used to be, and my reasoning isn’t actually performance based. You can turn the fly line around and get twice the use out of it, once the front end begins to wear out/crack. On small/medium-ish PA streams, I’m never really casting more than half the fly line at a time, and even that is rare. I have one reel that I use for super small stuff - It actually only has half of a DT line on it. I only put half of the fly line on at a time for balance purposes with smaller rods. (You can’t do this with a WF line. Well, you can I guess, but only once per fly line purchased.)

IMO on streams this size you’re rarely casting enough fly line to where you’re really gonna notice a performance difference much from the line. And much of the casting done on smaller streams isn’t exactly conventional casting…more trick shots, sidearm stuff, etc.

 

[cfarr]

The fly line on my go-to setup began taking on some water towards the end of this season, and I was thinking of treating myself to a new fly line to spool up for next year. I'm starting to realize the options are pretty endless, and am starting to consider exactly what kind of taper would suit my fishing and casting style best.

I rarely fish big water and I admittedly don't have a great casting stroke. I typically throw indicator nymph rigs on small/medium size streams (rarely wider than 30/40 feet), but will throw dries when I hit a hatch or am prospecting new water with a dry dropper.

Since I fish smaller streams that are often tight along the banks, along with throwing heavier indi rigs, I roll cast roughly 80% of the time.

I liked the look of Airflo's "power taper" in hopes that the agressive WF taper with a shorter total head length will help easily turn over shorter roll casts, but I wonder if I might be better suited to fishing a DT line since I rarely need to cast far enough to even use the full head length or get into the running line anyhow.

I will likely see if any shops will let me test out a variety of lines prior to making a decision, but I will save that until warmer weather arrives. In the meantime, I'm curious to hear what you all think.

I’m a big fan of SA’s creek trout line. I use it on my 4wt for damn near anything from brookie ditches to the occasional trip to one of the big limestoners.

 

[shakey]

I use a level line for this.
A level line outperforms DT for me in roll casts,if the cast is short enough that the second head is not involved. Also,obviously out performs a WF.

Most of my regular casting is under forty feet anyway

 

[shortrod]

I use a level line for this.
A level line outperforms DT for me in roll casts,if the cast is short enough that the second head is not involved

Where do you find level lines?

 

[tjsingle]

Honestly, I find myself using the same 5wt line across all my trout fishing whether it be small or large streams. Usually the biggest difference is going shorter leader so you are getting at least some fly line out of the eyelets.

I prefer Orvis Pro Trout - Textured.

For a small stream specific set up, I probably would go double taper. Rio makes or used to make a small stream specific line, that is supposed to load the road a bit quicker (though DT would do the same.) https://flyfishsd.com/products/rio-premier-creek-fly-line?variant=39348367032383

 

[shortrod]

And much of the casting done on smaller streams isn’t exactly conventional casting…more trick shots, sidearm stuff, etc.

Interesting.
I think sidearm IS conventional casting. But, yes, I also prefer DT lines. Sometimes I slam a WF line into the water because they are different than DT that way for me.

 

[shakey]

Where do you find level lines?

I was fortunate enough to buy crystal river lines for $6 apiece at a store in Connecticut . I bought 5 ,6 & 7,but I wish I had bought several of each.

Whereas level line is a traditional favorite for close quarter fishing,I it is also the cheapest.

Many beginners kits,and many used reels come with level line.

Some people buy level line from eBay,Amazon and temu

SA air cell is pricy at $30 but,it is a nice level line https://scientificanglers.com/product/air-cel-level/