Which is best to learn to fly cast on, weight forward or double tapper?

Answer 1

I'll make the case for weight forward:

1) Most flylines sold today are weight forward
2) Today's high performance graphite rods perform better with weight forward.

With weight forward line the majority of weight if in the "front" of the line. Without getting technical, flyrods are "rated" on their ability to aerialize 30 ft of a specific "weight" flyline.

For a beginning caster with the weight of the line being "in front" you'll be able to feel the rod load better.
If you had a 5 weight rod for example and all 3 different tapers and marked each one at 30 feet and cast each specific taper from the same rod you would see what I mean. (I've done this experiment many times with people I've taught to cast and they all chose weight forward line).

Weight forward line will help a beginner learn the timing of the cast better because it loads the rod (at 30 ft) better than the other 2 types of taper.

Now think about what I just said: how many beginners are firing 55ft reach casts right off the cuff ? Not too many.
In fact, most of your dry fly fishing won't require casts
beyond 40 feet (there are exceptions).

Once you learn how to cast, distance will come naturally.

In my years of experience I find that double taper lines
perform best on softer rods with a more moderate action
(i.e. fiberglass and bamboo rods) and roll cast better than
a weight forward line.

Weight forward lines perform better on graphite rods and
turn over larger flies better.

Answer 2

You must use a weight forward nothing else as the weight of the line is at the head which means its easier for a beginner to cast and load the rod, whilst a DT is a belly in the middle of the line, when you become more experienced you will find a DT better but until then stick to a WF. As you are starting out may i just recommend that you try a heaver line eg a WF 7 as it will be easier to cast then move on to a lighter line. One last thing i will add is buy quality line its your most important bit of kit, you CAN tell the difference makes i recommend are RIO and scientific anglers, there are other good makes on the market however.

Answer 3

Don't fly-fish that much, but started teachin' myself with Cortland weight-forward, not on a river, creek or lake, but our backyard. Ta' be honest, I didn't know the difference between, Tapered, Level, Weight Forward or Double Tapered ~ COMPLETE "Green-Hand"!! My ear though, learned real quick, about the proper way of castin' (ha', a friend for-warned me, so I crimped the barbs down)! Sooo, guess I'd go with WF. But ta' reiterate, COMPLETE, "Green-hand"!! Good luck and am sure you'll be gettin' responses from some more of the Answers authorities on the subject ;)...

Answer 4

Roger W makes a good case for level line for begginers!

I'm no expert on flyline but the 2 "fly-fishing seminars" we use to send customers to attend (one was at the Jr. College & one was at the "Salty Feather Fly-shop") both started their students with weight-forward.

Personally, I started on weight-forward and moved to sinking, (Because I lived in FLA, the majority of flyfishing was for Largemouth Bass, Brim, Saltwater Redfish & Saltwater Trout).

I've never used level-line. When your throwing an 1/8 OZ fly for L-Bass or Reds it's nice to have the "weight-FORWARD"! (lol)

Roger puts up a good argument for the use of Level line , though!

I'm gonna "star" this question in the hopes that all the hardcore fly-guys will answer.

Nice question!

Answer 5

I believe that the best fly line to use while learning, is the Level line,
the reason being, it is a little more difficult to reach maximum casting distance with, so when you learn on the tough line, the tapered line, will be a snap.
if you learn on a tapered line & at sometime, you need a new line & level, is the only thing available at the time, you are in a better possition to use it

Answer 6

weight foreward, by far.

One discouraging thing for new flyfishers is the wrong line. a double taper, level line, fancy sink tip or full sink line.....all these lines have their place, but are not the best to learn on.

since flycasting IS casting the line, not the lure, the line is key. In fact, I read of a tournamant caster who could throw almost a whole line using a BROOM STICK!

weight forward.

Answer 7

Personal Preference, 2 different things.