Choosing the Best 5 Weight Fly Line

Posted: October 05, 2017

There are lots of options. Where and how you fish dictate the best lines for you.

By Dillon Given

choosing a 5 wt lines (2)

Stepping into a fly shop that carries a large selection of weight forward (WF) fly lines is convenient, yet overwhelming if you don’t know what you want. A shop employee may be nice, have a great smile, and point you into the direction of a suitable fly line that he thinks is best for you. But that doesn’t mean you will leave with the best option. As a consumer, it is prudent to research fly lines before purchasing. That way you are telling us what you want, not the other way around. Here is a list of WF5 floating fly lines we carry in North 40 fly shops, with specifications and opinions on each, based on our personal experience fishing these lines.

Airflo Velocity

Overall Length: 82ft
Head Length: 38ft
Available Weights: 4-9
Color: Optic Green
Level of Experience: Doesn’t have a clue

This is a good entry-level fly line, It also serves well for someone on a budget or those who fish a handful of times a year. A satisfactory line for short and mid-range casts.

Rio Trout (Mainstream Series)

Overall Length: 80ft
Head Length: 38ft
Available Weights: 3-8
Color: Lemon Green
Level of Experience: Doesn’t have a clue

A perfect line for someone who is very interested in the sport, and will likely continue to flyfish. The Mainstream Trout is slightly heavier than most WF5 floating lines, making it easier to load your rod while casting.

Loop XACT Float

Overall Length: 88ft
Head Length: 28ft
Available Weights: 4 :8
Color: Tan
Level of Experience: Doesn’t have a clue

With a shorter shooting head, the caster may conduct quick, accurate, and short casts on a small stream with ease. This line isn’t ideal for those who want to make accurate 60-foot long casts. Overall performance and durability of this fly line is great.

Rio Gold (Trout Series)

Overall Length: 90ft
Head Length: 47ft
Available Weights: 3-9
Color: Moss/Gold
Level of Experience: Well seasoned

A great all-around fly line for the traveling angler. Whether slapping salmonflies on the Madison, or presenting midges on the MO, this fly line effectively fishes year after year. With a 47-foot long head, casting to the 70-80 foot range is possible. Rated for fly sizes 2 through 22. This is one of our most popular fly lines because of the price and quality.

Rio Grand (Trout Series)

Overall Length: 90ft
Head Length: 38ft
Available Weights: 3-9
Color: Pale Green/Light Yellow
Level of Experience: Well seasoned

For the longest time, people would buy WF floating lines a size larger than what the rod is rated for. They did this because the added weight of a line size up loaded fly rods—especially modern fast-action graphite rods—better than matched lines. Rio took notice and created a fly line heavier than most WF5 floating lines. The Rio Grand is actually a full size heavier than it is labeled on the package. Flipping large bugs has never been easier. And this is a great line for chucking mouse patterns, too.

Loop Evotec 85

Overall Length: 90ft
Head Length: 28ft
Available Weights: 3-9
Color: White/Yellow
Level of Experience: Well seasoned

A great line when space is a serious factor. The tight 28 foot long shooting head makes small technical casts between branches and around logs a breeze. Perfect for the rugged, small-stream fisherman hunting down trophy trout.

Loop Evotec 100

Overall Length: 95ft
Head Length: 34ft
Available Weights: 3-9
Color: White/Moss
Level of Experience: Well seasoned

Ideal for the angler who fishes most a variety of waters and situations. This is a strong durable fly line with a mid-sized shooting head. Built to be an all-around fly line. Start off with a late afternoon nymph rig, then switch to an evening caddis hatch, it doesn’t matter, this line can handle it.

Loop Opti Stream

Overall Length: 92ft
Head Length: 31ft
Available Weights: 4-8
Color: Orange/White
Level of Experience: Well seasoned

This is Loop’s most popular WF floating line because of its versatility, floatability, and durability. The taper length is great for mid-range casting, and performs well for beginners and experts alike. Whether you are presenting dries, chucking nymphs, or swinging streamers, this line will achieve what you ask from it.

Loop Opti Stillwater

Overall Length – 98ft
Head Length: 35ft
Available Weights: 5-8
Color: Chartreuse/White
Level of Experience: Well seasoned

If you need a line that can goes the distance, look no further. This line is designed for long, technical casts on slow moving spring creeks, and gulper fishing in crystal clear high-mountain lakes. When light presentation is a necessity, Opti Stillwater will not let you down.

Loop Opti Flow

Overall Length: 90ft
Head Length: 42ft
Available Weights: 3 :7
Color: White/Light Blue
Level of Experience: Well seasoned

Capable of presenting delicate flies at all distances, the Opti Flow is an angler’s best friend. With Loop’s unique “Optimal Presentation Taper” precision casting is the name of the game. The taper gives you complete line control for all fly-fishing situations. This is Loop’s best all-around fly line.

Rio LightLine

Overall Length: 80ft
Head Length: 43ft
Available Weights: 2-6
Color: Brown/Ivory
Level of Experience: Purist

This line is specifically designed for slower-action rods. Especially bamboo, glass, and “classic” action fly rods. If you are the fisherman who loves a vintage glass fly rod, this is the line you want to match it with. Great for short to mid-range casting of dry flies.

Scientific Angler Wavelength MPX

Overall Length: 90ft
Head Length: 36ft
Available Weights: 3-9
Color: Amber/Green
Level of Experience: Fishing Bum

This is an all-around fly line that is built to last. Created a half-size heavier to load rods and turn over large dries, indicators, and heavy streamers. The Mastery Texturing reduces friction through the guides. What does this mean? Longer casts, higher floatation, and increased durability.

Rio InTouch Perception

Overall Length: 90ft
Head Length: 36ft
Available Weights: 3-8
Color: Green/Camo/Tan
Level of Experience: Fishing Bum

This line’s ultra-low stretch and ConnectCore performance translates into groundbreaking sensitivity and faster reaction times when setting the hook. The unique tricolor design gives the caster exact recognition as to where the taper begins and ends. This works as a visual aid when learning to double-haul.

Rio InTouch Xtreme Indicator

Overall Length: 90ft
Head Length: 33ft
Available Weights: 5-9
Color :Orange/Moss/Yellow
Level of Experience: Nymph Fanatic

If you nymph more often than you eat, this is your line. It’s built with ultra-low stretch and the ConnectCore performance that the Rio Perception offers. The short, easy loading head makes throwing and mending an indicator rig fun and effortless. Truly an ideal line for fishing from a drift boat.

Scientific Angler Sharkwave Ultimate Trout

Overall Length: 100ft
Head Length: 51ft
Available Weights: 3-8
Color: Ivory/ Opt Green/ Will
Level of Experience: Fishing Bum

“Wow” is what I said when I made my first cast with this line. Constructed with 8 feet of Sharkskin at the tip of the head, this line floats, presents, and lasts better/longer than 95% of other fly lines on the market today. Super for fishing dry flies, this line delivers delicate presentations distance.

Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX

Overall Length: 90ft
Head Length: 35ft
Available Weights: 3-9
Color: Op Grn/Tur Grs/ Buck
Level of Experience: Fishing Bum

This is it. The top of the pyramid. If you are the kind of fisherman who desires the best of the best, there is no line above this. SA’s Assisted Shooting Technology Plus slickness is added to this line for great shootability and durability. The unique Floating Textured tip provides ultimate floatation when you need it most. Developed as an apex all-around fly line, this one confidently throws dries, streamers, and nymphs. Accurately advertised as the ultimate presentation line.

Click the image below to explore the line options we have up at North 40 Fly Shop.