Fly Line, Leader & Tippets
Fly lines, tapered leaders, tippet and backing for trout and saltwater fly fishing, from all-round floating lines to sinking and specialist tapers. Our range features Airflo and Scientific Anglers.
Your fly line does the casting, so match it to your rod weight and the way you fish, then finish with a tapered leader and the right tippet for your flies. Spool it on a balanced fly reel and fly rod, and keep spares organised in our packs and storage.
Get help choosing the right line at our Grey Lynn concept store, or order online for fast, tracked delivery across New Zealand.
Frequently asked questions about fly line, leader and tippets
What fly line should I use for New Zealand trout?
A weight-forward floating line, marked WF and F, matched to your rod weight, is the most versatile fly line for New Zealand trout. It casts dry flies, nymphs and small streamers well and suits most rivers and lakes. Add a sinking or intermediate line later for lakes and deeper water. A quality line makes a bigger difference to casting than most other upgrades.
What do fly line weights and tapers mean?
Fly line weight, from 1 to 12 and above, should match your rod's rating, so a 6 weight line goes on a 6 weight rod. The taper describes how the line's thickness changes: weight-forward lines have more mass at the front for easier casting and distance, double taper lines are symmetrical for delicate presentations, and specialised tapers suit nymphing, streamers or windy conditions.
When should I use a sinking fly line?
Sinking and intermediate lines get your fly down to fish holding deeper, which suits lakes, deep pools and saltwater fishing, especially when stripping streamers. Intermediate lines sink slowly just below the surface, while full sinking lines get down quickly. Most anglers start with a floating line and add a sinking line when they want to fish lakes or deeper water.
What do tippet X sizes mean?
Tippet is sized using the X system, where higher numbers are finer: 0X is thick and strong, while 6X is very fine. For most New Zealand trout fishing, 3X to 5X covers dry flies and nymphs, with finer tippet for small flies and clear water, and heavier tippet for big flies and large fish. Match the tippet size to the size of the fly so it turns over properly.
How long should a fly fishing leader be?
A 9 foot tapered leader is the standard starting point for trout fishing in New Zealand. In very clear water or for spooky fish, many anglers lengthen it to 12 to 15 feet or more with added tippet. Shorter leaders of 7 to 8 feet suit windy days, streamers and sinking lines. Add tippet to the end of your leader so it lasts longer as you change flies.
Why do I need backing on my fly reel?
Backing is thin, strong line wound onto the reel under the fly line. It fills the spool so the fly line sits on a larger diameter, reducing coils, and gives you extra length if a big trout or saltwater fish runs beyond the end of your fly line. Most trout reels hold 50 to 100 metres of backing, and saltwater reels much more. Join it to the fly line with a strong, smooth knot or loop.