Cheap vs Expensive Fly Fishing Lines | 4 Reasons to Upgrade 

The Grand Slam Clear Trip is one of our favorite lines.

I've used Rio Gold In touch fly line, Orvis double taper lines , and SA Amplitued. They have always outperformed any of the basic maxcatch lines that ship with their reels. However, I just tried the MaxCatch Euro nymph fly line and Big nasty streamer line. Let metell you, the difference is a lot closer in quality than in the past, but it is still not better than name brand lines. Idk how much less performance you'll get, but you'll probably save $80+ by using the max catch lines.

The Mastery series is one of the best values in fly fishing, for sure

I like gold as well. Hardy zephrus 5wt with a Rio Gold 4wt is like a lazer.

Is this a dry fly line? Thanks

Upgrading to a premium line is one of the best ways to optimize performance from an existing setup.

Boost is a really good line. However, on gray overcast days, I find that the line is almost impossible for me to see with my sunglasses on (I'm a bit light-sensitive even on gray days). Another good alternative is Rio Avid (it's yellow). The grain weight is a bit heavier but works well in lower light or gray conditions.

Great line. Nice colour and really supple.

Hi, let me see if I can shed some light on mid-priced lines. From Rio you have Mainstream and from SA you have Air-Cel. Neither have rear loops, casting markers or the more advanced slicker coatings. I have thrown the Air-Cel lines, which are not bad for the money. (I've never used Mainstream). On the SA side, their Frequency lines are very nice at $50-$60. No rear loops, but they do have the AST coating. Like Air-Cel, they are a single-color line. I have used SA's Frequency Boost for years and it is an excellent casting line. On the Rio side, their mid-priced trout line is Avid. Like the SA lines, no rear loops, they also have a slickness agent (Agent-X as memory serves) and are a single color (high vis-yellow). Fishing Boost on a typical gray NE day (or early morning) is tough as the line is the same color as the sky. The head taper and weight on Avid is a bit heavier than Boost, so if the rod you're pairing it to is on the faster side of medium-fast go with Avid. SA has an entire range of lines in the Frequncey family, whereas Rio doesn't group their line the same way. If you hunt around the Trident Blog, Ben has an excellent article on a ton of different freshwater lines.

@@larryh9525 Rio Mainstream is trash IMO. Looks like a slinky for all of eternity

Hi Julian, SA lines are certainly fantastic! Have you tried RIO's newer lines? They seem to be much improved.

lol, Rio and Air Flo are trash. SA is king.

Yes if you only fish a few times a year. Your grandfather was right. Just clean and condition it. You will be fine. Now if you are fishing 30 times plus and are fishing multiple applications , streamers, nymph rigs and crazy long dry fly terminal set ups 14ft leaders etc. yes the more expensive lines hold up better and will preform better. I still though put my own shooting head set ups on sone cheaper lines and they fish great.