Fly Lines — Floating, Sinking, Skagit, Scandi & Specialty

Stillwater Fly Shop carries the full spectrum of fly lines for every application and technique — weight-forward floating lines, full-sink and sink-tip lines, integrated Skagit and Scandi shooting heads, running lines, and specialty lines for warm water, saltwater, and technical presentation work. Our selection spans RIO, Airflo, Scientific Anglers, Cortland, Wulff, and Orvis, covering every line type you'd need for trout, steelhead, salmon, bass, and saltwater species.

Choosing the Right Fly Line for Your Fishing

Weight-forward floating lines handle the vast majority of trout fishing situations — dry flies, nymphs under an indicator, and moderate streamer work. When you need to get a fly down fast, intermediate and full-sink lines excel for lake fishing and streamers in deep runs. Two-handed fishing opens up Skagit and Scandi heads — Skagit for heavy tips and big flies in tight quarters, Scandi for longer casts and lighter presentations on more open water.

Euro Nymph Line, Shorty, or Leader?

A dedicated Euro nymph line and a Shorty attachment serve different setups. The RIO Technical Euro Nymph Line has an ultra-thin profile and a monofilament core that extends into a level leader. Both the line and leader can be trimmed as described on the product page.

The RIO Euro Nymph Shorty is a 20-foot attachment with welded loops at both ends. It connects to the front of a regular fly line when you want to switch to Euro nymphing.

A tapered leader is a separate rigging component. The RIO Euro Nymph Tapered Leader combines a 9-foot leader with 22 inches of indicator tippet and a tippet ring for attaching your own tippet. Check your chosen line’s leader setup before adding a separate leader, since the Technical Euro Nymph Line already includes a leader extension.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What fly line is most versatile for trout fishing?
A weight-forward floating line in your rod's rated weight handles at least 80% of trout fishing scenarios. The RIO Gold, Airflo Superflo 40+, and Scientific Anglers Amplitude Trout are all excellent all-around choices that cast well across a range of distances and handle dry flies, nymphs, and lighter streamers without compromise.

Q: How do I know what grain weight Skagit head to use?
Most rod manufacturers publish suggested grain window ranges for their Spey and switch rods — this is the most reliable starting point. Your local fly shop can help dial in the optimal grain weight for your specific rod and technique.