LINE & LEADER

Home/LINE & LEADER

Choosing the right fly line for your fishing situations can be challenging; your line must work in concert with your rod, reel, and leader. When choosing line, there are several considerations: weight, taper, density, color, backing, and leaders.

Leaders come in several lengths and sizes, and the choice you make on the water depends on the fishing conditions and your fly sizes. We recommend you have several choices available at any given time.

The tippet is the part of the leader to which your fly attaches. Leaders and tippets are typically rated on an “œX” factor from 0X to 8X that indicates their size, where 0X is the thickest and 8X is the thinnest.

For questions about lines, leaders, or tippets, call (907) 586-1550 or email us for more information.

FREE Shipping within the U.S. on orders of $200 or more.

  • Save money when you buy the 3-Pack! ...
    Save money when you buy the 3-Pack!
  • Ideal for all your salmon, steelhead, and big trout fishing in Alaska. Save money when you buy the 3 ...
    Ideal for all your salmon, steelhead, and big trout fishing in Alaska. Save money when you buy the 3-Pack!
  • Airflo's 10' Salmon/Steelhead Polyleaders are ideal for turning your floating fly line into a sink t ...
    Airflo's 10' Salmon/Steelhead Polyleaders are ideal for turning your floating fly line into a sink tip. The 10 foot length is best suited for larger rivers or when you need more sink than a 5 foot Polyleader can provide. They cast well on single hand rods and also can be used on switch or Spey set ups.
  • Airflo's 14' Salmon/Steelhead Polyleader will get your fly down in the water column as well as provi ...
    Airflo's 14' Salmon/Steelhead Polyleader will get your fly down in the water column as well as providing "extra stick" when making a two hand cast.
  • Airflo's five foot Polyleaders are a great way to add a "sink tip" to your floating fly line. Simply ...
    Airflo's five foot Polyleaders are a great way to add a "sink tip" to your floating fly line. Simply loop the Polyleader on your line, add 3-4 feet of tippet and you are ready to fish. They cast nicely and can be used on everything from light trout rods to heavy salmon set ups.
  • Looking for a floating line that casts like a Skagit? Take a look at the Airflo Rage. Its scandi/ska ...
    Looking for a floating line that casts like a Skagit? Take a look at the Airflo Rage. Its scandi/skagit hybrid design allows for long casts without needing a heavy sink tip. It casts like a missile into the wind, too! Recommended with Spey or long Switch Rods.
  • Airflo Ridge 2.0 Running Line is easy to handle and shoots through the guides. If you are looking fo ...
    Airflo Ridge 2.0 Running Line is easy to handle and shoots through the guides. If you are looking for a running line that feels like fly line this is the one. A large loop in the front makes changing heads a breeze. Ideal for use with Skagit and Scandi Shooting Heads. Color is Red. 90 Feet in length.
  • The Airflo Ridge Tropical GT line is specifically built for the bruising world of chasing Giant Trev ...
    The Airflo Ridge Tropical GT line is specifically built for the bruising world of chasing Giant Trevally. It has an agressive front taper so lightning quick casts can be made to marauding GT's. It features an extra strong 50lb core to better withstand enormous fish and gnarly coral.
  • The Airflo Streamer Max Short is one of our favorite sink tip lines for running mean leeches and bug ...
    The Airflo Streamer Max Short is one of our favorite sink tip lines for running mean leeches and buggers through nasty runs and fishy holding water. The 18 foot sinking head gets your fly down in the strike zone. Whether you are chucking big flesh for fall rainbows, dredging sculpins for slabs, or want a sink tip line that makes throwing a Dolly Llama easier, the Streamer Max Short will get it done!
  • This fly line is ideal for nymph style fishing under an indicator, throwing roll casts, and mending ...
    This fly line is ideal for nymph style fishing under an indicator, throwing roll casts, and mending large flies in fast moving water. Whether you are trout, salmon or steelhead fishing, this line will do the trick.
  • The 10' Custom T-Tips from Airflo are perfect for situations where a short fast tip will get you int ...
    The 10' Custom T-Tips from Airflo are perfect for situations where a short fast tip will get you into the zone. 10 feet is the perfect length when matched with a Skagit Head for Short Spey and Switch rods.
  • The Airflo Velocity is the ideal line for a beginner or someone looking for a smooth casting afforda ...
    The Airflo Velocity is the ideal line for a beginner or someone looking for a smooth casting affordable line. With its user friendly taper design, the long rear taper allows the line to grow with you as you improve and increase your casting range. Casts well on a variety of rods and does not break the bank.
  • Our custom Super Versi Tip line ensures you will be covered in every fishing situation. Each line co ...
    Our custom Super Versi Tip line ensures you will be covered in every fishing situation. Each line comes with Rio's four standard 15 foot heads plus we have cherry-picked additional MOW tips & heads to give you the ultimate line set up. If you are planning a float trip or are fishing where water conditions can be unpredictable, this line is for you. An AFFG exclusive.
  • Great material for adding a leader butt to your fly line. ...
    Great material for adding a leader butt to your fly line.
  • If you need to carry big saltwater spools of tippet or a wide range of standard tippet then the Fish ...
    If you need to carry big saltwater spools of tippet or a wide range of standard tippet then the Fishpond Headgate Tippet Holder XL is for you. Guides take note: at 6 inches wide it can hold up to five 4" spools of tippet. Or it can hold up to 13 standard tippet spools. Adding or removing spools is a breeze and the days of searching through your pack for the 12 lb are gone!
  • Hareline's Flat Lead Free Wire is great for adding to fly patterns that need the extra weight withou ...
    Hareline's Flat Lead Free Wire is great for adding to fly patterns that need the extra weight without the bulk, or it can be added to the leader as an alternative to split shot
  • The legendary leader material among salmon and steelhead enthusiasts. Very abrasion resistant and ri ...
    The legendary leader material among salmon and steelhead enthusiasts. Very abrasion resistant and ridiculously strong.
  • If you are looking for all the benefits of fishing a Commando Head but without the loop-to-loop conn ...
    If you are looking for all the benefits of fishing a Commando Head but without the loop-to-loop connection, then the Commando Smooth is the line for you. It integrates a Commando head with a thin, slick running line to create a 100 foot line that casts like a dream on single hand, micro spey and switch rods. Note that the head length is given with each size, but the overall line length is 100 feet. For line size recommendations, see the image to the left.
  • If you love to see your Skagit head really fly, OPST's Lazer Line is hard to beat. Lazer line is sup ...
    If you love to see your Skagit head really fly, OPST's Lazer Line is hard to beat. Lazer line is super slick, has very low memory for tangle-free casts and is low-stretch so you can feel those gentle grabs. See below for sizing recommendations.
  • The Commando Head is the one that started the trout spey and single hand spey casting phenomenon. Th ...
    The Commando Head is the one that started the trout spey and single hand spey casting phenomenon. These ultra-short heads (running from a mere 12' to 18' in length) will let you make all manner of spey casts on your 9 foot single hand rod, trout spey, or switch rod. Note that these heads must be matched up with a running line such as Lazer Line. For sizing recommendations see the image to the left.
  • In Alaska you actually need this stuff! Use 20 lb backing for for 8 weight lines and smaller. A t ...
    In Alaska you actually need this stuff! Use 20 lb backing for for 8 weight lines and smaller. A typical 5 or 6 weight reel will need about 100 yards of backing. A 7 or 8 weight reel will hold around 200 yards of backing.
  • If you are loading up a 9 weight or larger reel, 30lb Dacron Backing is what you want. 300 yards is ...
    If you are loading up a 9 weight or larger reel, 30lb Dacron Backing is what you want. 300 yards is more than enough backing for most applications and Rio's Dacron backing is our favorite. It is low stretch, high strength and very good quality. Color is Chartreuse.
  • The Rio 6ft salmon steelhead knotless leader is perfect for fishing with a sink tip to get your fly ...
    The Rio 6ft salmon steelhead knotless leader is perfect for fishing with a sink tip to get your fly down where it needs to be quickly.
  • A shorter, more traditional trout leader. Easy to turn over for novice casters, for use off a sink t ...
    A shorter, more traditional trout leader. Easy to turn over for novice casters, for use off a sink tip and as a "starting point leader" for adding more tippet.
  • The Rio 9 ft knotless tapered trout leader is our favorite Alaskan trout leader. Rio's tapered trout ...
    The Rio 9 ft knotless tapered trout leader is our favorite Alaskan trout leader. Rio's tapered trout leaders are super strong, stealthy, and easy to cast. They turn over flies like no other leader and come with a loop knot for easy attachment to your fly line.
  • The perfect leader for floating line fishing for salmon and steelhead. These leaders are thicker and ...
    The perfect leader for floating line fishing for salmon and steelhead. These leaders are thicker and stiffer than a trout leader and will keep the fly and fish attached to your line!
  • Fly line dressing from the folks who know fly lines. Comes with a Wonder Cloth micro abrasive cleani ...
    Fly line dressing from the folks who know fly lines. Comes with a Wonder Cloth micro abrasive cleaning pad that is great for removing salt build up, dirt, algae, and other nasty stuff.
  • Rio has come up with a great solution to the problem of twists, kinks and wound up running lines. Ev ...
    Rio has come up with a great solution to the problem of twists, kinks and wound up running lines. Every time you make a Spey or switch cast you are imparting a circular twist into your line. Add to that the tumbling action that occurs during the swing, particularly with short heads, and in very short order your running line will be twisted up and a mess when you try to shoot it. Enter the solution: Simply loop the Anti Twist Spey Swivel on the end of your running line and then loop the head to it. A small swivel in the middle allows the head to roll without kinking or winding up your running line. Tangle free casts are coming your way! 3 per pack and the color is high visibility orange.
  • Rio's Avid Trout line is solid performer in the mid-price arena. The Avid is super slick and is desi ...
    Rio's Avid Trout line is solid performer in the mid-price arena. The Avid is super slick and is designed for easy casting performance, with slightly heavier and shorter head lengths.
  • Rio's 10-foot Bonefish Leaders are ideal for all your tropical adventures. They feature a medium-sti ...
    Rio's 10-foot Bonefish Leaders are ideal for all your tropical adventures. They feature a medium-stiff material that is ideal for turning over flies in the wind.
  • We really like Rio's braided loops for creating lead heads such as T11 or T14. Attach to your fly li ...
    We really like Rio's braided loops for creating lead heads such as T11 or T14. Attach to your fly line with either super glue or a nail knot. 2 sizes to choose from with 4 per pack.
  • Not sure which running line to get for your switch or Spey rod? Get this one. We love Rio's Metered ...
    Not sure which running line to get for your switch or Spey rod? Get this one. We love Rio's Metered Running Line. It is super slick so it really flies but it is still easy to handle with cold hands. It has a low stretch core so hook sets are solid and executing casts is straight forward. And the color changes every 10 feet so you can easily gage how far your cast went and effectively cover a run or pool.
  • Fly fishing in Alaska means casting big flies and the Elite Predator Line is designed specifically t ...
    Fly fishing in Alaska means casting big flies and the Elite Predator Line is designed specifically to deliver big offerings. It has an oversized body with a powerful front taper to turn over lead eyed leeches, Dolly Llamas or any other mega fly you might be casting. The Predator roll casts quite nicely as well.
  • The Rio Elite Single Hand Spey line is a fantastic line for small to medium sized streams. It is the ...
    The Rio Elite Single Hand Spey line is a fantastic line for small to medium sized streams. It is the best roll casting line we have seen and it overhead casts medium sized streamers like a dream. You won't believe the silky loops that unroll when you cast this line.
  • The Launch is our favorite "standard length" Skagit head for your Spey rod. At 23'-25' in length, th ...
    The Launch is our favorite "standard length" Skagit head for your Spey rod. At 23'-25' in length, the Launch smoothly casts big flies and heavy tips. The use of Rio's proprietary Slickcast means this line will last longer and the newly refined taper better matches up with MOW tips, T-11, T-14 and other heavy tips.
  • The Skagit Max Power is the 'Short' version of the Skagit family and is ideal for switch rods and sh ...
    The Skagit Max Power is the 'Short' version of the Skagit family and is ideal for switch rods and short Spey rods. If you are swinging Alaska-sized flies on your switch rod this is the line you want. The refined taper smooths out the cast when using MOW Tips or 10 feet of T11 or T14. And with a Slickcast coating these lines are the most durable and long lasting on the market.

Fall Hours: Monday – Friday 11AM – 2:00PM. Saturday & Sunday Closed. Web Orders Are Shipping Daily.