INTRO If you're fishing still water with only a floating line, you're limiting yourself. Sinking fly lines are the key to reaching fish at different depths and increasing your success. But which ones do you actually need? In this episode, I break down the three essential sinking fly lines—Type 3, Type 5, and Type 7—so you know when and where to use them.
Key Takeaways from This EpisodeWhy Do Sinking Fly Lines Matter?
- Floating lines can’t get your flies deep enough in Stillwater fishing.
- Sinking lines allow you to target fish at the right depth quickly and efficiently.
- Each type of sinking line has a different sink rate, giving you control over your presentation.
1. Type 3 Sinking Line – The Shallow Water Workhorse
- Sink Rate: 3 inches per second.
- Best For: Moderate sink rate, perfect for shallower waters (4-10 feet).
- Why You Need It: Keeps your fly in the strike zone when targeting structure, drop-offs, and the littoral zone.
2. Type 5 Sinking Line – The Most Versatile Option
- Sink Rate: 5 inches per second.
- Best For: Covering a wide range of water depths (6-12 feet).
- Why You Need It: Works well in lakes with changing depths, allowing you to fish both shallow and deeper zones effectively.
3. Type 7 Sinking Line – The Deep Water Hunter
- Sink Rate: 7 inches per second.
- Best For: Getting down fast to deep water (12-20+ feet).
- Why You Need It: Essential when fish are holding deep and you need to get your fly in front of them quickly.
- Fish move throughout the lake at different depths.
- Each line helps you target a specific depth range, increasing your chances of hooking up.
- Using the wrong sink rate can result in missed opportunities, poor presentation, or getting snagged on the bottom.
If you're serious about stillwater fishing, having all three of these sinking fly lines will allow you to adapt to different conditions and fish more effectively. If you had to pick just one? Go with the Type 5—it’s the most versatile.
Call to Action: Which sinking fly lines do you use the most? Let me know your thoughts! Follow me on Instagram at Stillwater Edge for more fly fishing tips, and don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review.
Tight lines, and I’ll see you on the water.
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