The Best 4wt Fly Line – Fishing on lighter Tackle

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The best 4wt fly line is going to allow you to get out on the water and will allow you to throw almost the exact same flies as your trusty 5wt would. However, it can now present smaller patterns with much more delicacy.

An often underutilized size in fly fishing, the 4wt can be just as effective as a 3wt or a 5wt. You might not be able to throw a larger streamer pattern but, if you’re fishing a 5wt then you’re not throwing anything too big anyways.

The 4wt is a great middle ground. So, if you enjoy throwing a 5wt and a 3wt but want to save on some money then check out 4wts. Below, we’re going to go over in more depth some of the different pros and cons of this size and then we’ll list out some products. Check them out!

Table of Contents

When Should you use a 4wt Fly Line?

Before we talk about when to use a 4wt fly line we should make sure to let you know that you must match the weight for your line with rod and reel. You should only be mismatching your line if you absolutely must.

Now, the only time that a 4wt cannot be used is when you’re out targeting fish with larger flies. Anything that is too big for a 5wt is going to be too big for a 4wt.

Throwing nymphs, dries, or small to medium streamers to trout, bass, panfish, or other species is perfect. The lighter setup allows you to handle these flies with ease and if you do hook up with a big fish then the fight is fantastic.

A 4wt is a great all-around size if you live in an area where trout and bass are plentiful. The smaller size is perfect for taking back into mountain streams for brook trout or throwing poppers to panfish.

What kind of Line Taper Should I Use?

There many different types of fly lines, but we’re only going to go over some of the more popular ones. Check them out and see which one is going to work best for you and your style of fishing.

Double Taper

This is a great line if the fish are being spooky and you need to land a cast softly and quietly on the water. If the weather is windy or if you need to make long casts then avoid this line.

Level Taper

The level taper fly line is going to be the cheapest line out there. The reason is that this is just a straight line and there is a taper to it. There are very specific times where this line can work, but it’s not recommended, especially if you’re a beginner.

Weight Forward

This is the most used and well-known fly line taper. The first ten feet of line is thick so it rolls nicely when casting and makes for a superior leader turnover. This is the best all-around line.

Shooting Taper

The shooting taper is usually only used for casting competitions or larger rods where throwing a streamer pattern is used to locate fish. It’s not recommended unless you plan on making long casts consistently.

What Makes a Great 4wt Fly Line?

There are many different types of fly line features. However, some are going to be more useful than others.

Sinking or Floating?

If you plan on throwing a comboinaton of dry and wet flies then a flaoting line is going to be your best bet. You can use droppers and utilize a longer leader to get your wet flies down deeper. However, you’ll need a floating line if you want to throw dries.

If you plan on throwing only streamers or any other submersible flies then a sinking line or a sink tip will be ideal. This will help get your fly down deep quickly to exactly where the fish are located.

Sinking Line Rate

You’ll notice that if you do purchase a sinking line then there will be a number somewhere on the box. This tells you how quickly the line will sink in the water.

Make sure the sink rate matches up with how deep you plan on fishing and what the fish are feeding on. Something that sinks too slow or too fast could turn a fish off.

Line Color

The line color plays a large role when throwing sinking line. A bright orange or yellow line flying through the water might scare off fish. So, try to choose a darker color that blends in better.

A brighter color is best for throwing dries. This is so you can see what your line is doing on top of the water and you can mend when you need to.

Best 4Wt Fly Line

There’s a handful of things you need to look for before making this decision, price, warranty, brand recognition, favorite color even! We’ve hand selected some of our favorites in each category to help you make a decision.

Rio Elite Gold Fly Line

Rio Elite Rio Gold, WF6F

This is the premier all-around fly line. Complete with low stretch and ultra-slick performance this line is sure to help you cast better and put more fish in the boat.

The long head on this line will help you with controlling your cast. Allowing you to drop your fliy exactly where you intend without spooking away fish in the area.

The tri-colored line also allows you to see exactly how much fly line you have out. This way you can measure and see exactly how far your fly was out before a strike.

The line is also coated with SlickCast. This creates a line that is one of the most durable and long-lasting lines out there. Meaning you can use this line for years to come.

Piscifun Sword

Piscifun Sword Weight Forward Floating Fly Fishing Line with Welded Loop WF5wt 100FT Moss Green

If you’re looking to get started in fly fishing and don’t want to spend too much money on fly line then the Psicifun Sword is going to be the product for you.

The long head and large diameter make it great to cast. It also makes it easier for beginners as well, which is perfect for the price point of this line.

The line also features a braided core. This means that the line will have a lower memory so that casting and line control will be as good n the thousandth cast as it was on the first.

There is also a welded loop on this line. This is perfect for when you need to quickly attach a new leader to your line. No longer do you have to worry about clipping off your expensive fly line just to attach your leader to it.

Anglers Dream Gold Fly Line

ANGLER DREAM Gold Fly Line 90FT Weight Forward Floating 4WT Fly Fishing Line

Similar to the Sword that we mentioned above, the Anglers Dream is another great fly line for a beginner. The price point is perfect and the line itself outshines the price tag.

The special tapered design gives incredible loop stability for distance casting. Making it easier for you to get your fly out where you need it to be and doing so consistently.

The PVC coating on this line is standard with other lines out there today. Ensure this line is cleaned at least yearly and you’ll find that it will last you a long time.

Both ends of this line contain a welded loop. Making it easier to attach to the backing on your reel, while also making it easier to attach your leader quickly and easily.

RIO Mainstream Trout

Rio Mainstream Trout Floating Fly Line (WF4F)

The perfect fly line for the angler who wants to step up their fly line game, but doesn’t want to drop a bunch of money on line. This is ideal for someone taking their game to the next level or an angler who is serious about gear.

The line is deisgn lines to optimize casting performance within normal casting ranges. Perfect for the evryday angler or for someone who is just starting to get into fly fishing.

The self-lubricating coating helps keep the line memory free, even in cold water. So have no fear about chasing trout in those cool streams because this line can take it.

This line is available in weight forward as well as a double taper. Making it perfect if you’re looking for something specific to meet your fishing needs.

Scientific Angler Amplitude

Scientific Anglers Amplitude Trout Fly Line WF5F

If you’re looking to throw small flies with a delocate presentation to waiting trout then this is the line for you. It will help aid all of your presentation whether it be dries or nymphs. It can handle streamers but its no amde for that.

The line also works best in moderate or cold climates. If the weather is too warm it could negatively affect the line. This shouldn’t be an issue in most areas where trout live though.

The welded loops at each end add the ability to easily attach the line to your backing on the reel or to quickly add the leader when a change is needed.

The shooting texture allows you to easily throw the line out nto the water and to gve you a little bit of a boost when casting as well. helping you to hit those targets that might be just out of reach for msot ofther lines.

Conclusion

A 4wt is a great in-between size if you like to fish both medium-sized and smaller-sized flies. it can handle both and can make for some great fights if you wind up hooking into a big fish.

So, use the info above to help you figure out exactly what type of line you need. The products we have listed range in price and anglers of each skill level would be able to happily use any of the products on the list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a 4wt line on a 5wt?

No, going down a weight rarely works that well.

Can I use a 4wt line on a 3wt rod?

Yes, some people find that going UP a line weight on stiff rods helps them load it properly, at least when they’re learning.

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