3 Crucial Fly Lines for Lake Fishing

Lake fishing (for trout) is a whole different ball game than hitting the river.  The learning curve on lakes can be a bit much, but the re...

Lake fishing (for trout) is a whole different ball game than hitting the river.  The learning curve on lakes can be a bit much, but the rewards can be tremendous.  A day of lake fishing can be whatever you want it to be.  If you want to zone out in a float tube and stare at a mountain for ten minutes, you can do that.  No one is going to get on your case.  In a drift boat, the pace can be overwhelming.  Whatever you are doing in a lake, the key is to go slow, and that is how some of us like to spend our day.

Notice, 3 rods and 3 different lines

Having the right line(s) is the absolute key to lake fishing.  Getting that fly to the fish is the most important thing.  If you can get a poorly chosen fly to the fish, you still have a better chance at catching them than if you have the best fly that is 16 feet above (or below) the fish.  Most dedicated lake anglers are going to pick up 3 different lines, which should cover most of the scenarios that lake anglers will run into.

Here are our favorite fly lines for some lake fishing scenarios:

Intermediate Lines

Cortland 444 Clear Camo

If you want to get serious about fishing lakes, then you need an intermediate line.  It is the workhorse of lake fly lines.  Intermediate lines sink about 2 inches per second, and are crucial for getting flies to fish that are cruising from 4 to 10 feet deep.  From trolling buggers to stripping leeches nymphs, the intermediate line sees the most action of any lake line.

The most popular type of intermediate fly line is a clear line.  These lines were once lovingly called "goo lines" when they first came out, as they got kinda sticky in your hands when they were wet.  They aren't so gooey any more, nor are they all clear, but they are very effective.  Some of them feature a camo pattern that is hard for fish to track in the water.  There is a robust debate on the "clear vs. camo" issue, but either way, the lines cast well and fish well too.

Cortland 444 Clear Camo is our favorite in the shop.  It is just as nice as the *cough* more expensive lines, but is at least $20 cheaper than comparable lines. I fished the same Cortland 444 (then called the 444 Rocket Taper Clear) line from 2003 to 2018 when I finally updated to the newer clear camo line.  Still loving it just as much as the old one.  

Rio Aqualux II

Rio's Aqualux II is the choice for those anglers that do not prefer the camo coloring of the other lines.  This line was discontinued a few years ago, but then brought back by popular demand.  It is the most popular lake line in our offering.  It has a little green tint, but that tint virtually disappears once it gets wet.  This line has a really hardcore following, and the lovers will say that it is the most supple of lake lines, having no memory even when it is cold.

Monic Lines are Top Shelf

Monic Genesis Intermediate is the absolute top end clear fly line.  This little fly line company makes some very, very nice lines.  This one boasts that it has the most delicate presentation, the highest clarity, and the stealthiest approach out there.  If stalking super wary trout in clear lakes is your thing, this line will not disappoint.

Full Sink Lines

While the intermediate line gets a ton of love, full sinking lines can be just as important.  A type III (3-4 inches per second) or type V (5-6 inches per second) line are going to be crucial if anglers want to conquer the lakes.  When it gets hot and those trout go down to 12 or even 20 feet deep, that full sinking line can make the day.

Rio's Deep Series is Fantastic

Rio makes really nice full sinking lines.  The InTouch Deep 3 and InTouch Deep 5 are fabulous, and should be a top choice for all lake anglers.  The in touch core really helps you feel those grabs when the fly is deep.  I would pick up a Deep 5 if you have the intermediate already.  The Deep 3 will get you by if you only have one sinking line (you have no intermediate line).  The faster they sink, the skinnier that the lines are.  They become harder to handle and to cast as they get deeper.  The Deep 3 is easier to cast than the Deep 5.  Once they sink faster than the Deep 5 does, it can become difficult to control the depth of the fly, as the rig will just sink right past the zone until it is straight below you.  Unless you have a solid plan for a heavier line, I would not pick up anything heavier than a type V for typical lake fishing scenarios.

Titan Sonar Line Profile. Great concept.

Scientific Anglers' Titan Sonar is a great full sink line as well.  It is a heavy, streamer friendly line that has a triple density configuration, which means the front part sinks faster than the back part. There is an intermediate/type III/type V that is just about perfect for getting deep in most lake situations, but there is also a type III/type V/type VII for getting ultra deep, or a hover/type II/type IV for more general purposes.

The triple density configuration makes it easier to cast, but does limit you on depth when you have to get really, really deep.  It does not have a "uniform" sink rate, but for 99% of situations, it will be more than sufficient.  Plus it is much nicer to cast than the Rio Deep sinking line.

Floating Lines

Infinity, overlooked, great lake line

As you may have guessed, you will need at least 3 different reels ready to go with 3 different lines at all times in the lake, and 3 different rods to put those reels on if you are going to get serious.  A floating line is crucial when the fish are shallow, rising, or eating chironomid nymphs when a little indicator is needed.

You need a floating line that can throw a fly delicately, long distances, and still have the ability to turn over an indicator rig or a streamer when needed.  For us there is one line that fits that bill really well, the Rio Gold.  I think there are better lines for rivers, but I think that it is an excellent lake line. 

Scientific Anglers' Infinity Taper is another great lake-friendly floating line.  It is a half size heavy with a long back taper to help with those bomber casts that can happen in lakes.  It has a nice front taper that will turn over a woolly bugger and a #16 parachute callibaetis.  It casts nice and easy and would be an excellent choice for an all around river line as well. 

As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to call, email or live chat with us.  Tight lines and good luck on the water.

Andrew Perrault
-Fishing, usually not catching