Laxá in Thingeyjarsyslu – deep channel and heavy flow
Sinking lines have different sinking rates. Some sink slow, some sink like an anchor depending on their respective densities.
Sinking line classification (i.p.s. = inches per second)
Fish holding at the bottom of deep pools can be reached with a sinking line. In heavy flow, you also need a sinking line to get the fly down where the fish are holding. If you fish with a sinking line your leader should be much shorter (see leaders).
Fly lines need to be on or just under the surface for us to be able to cast them. When we use a sinking line, we need to roll cast it to get it to the surface (dig it up), and once there we use a so-called roll cast pickup, and immediately into the backcast, and out she goes. Sinking lines are conventionally in dark colors.
Full sinking lines are the thinnest lines in each # class (they are the densest). They are ok to cast but a bit of a chore to dig up to the surface for recasting.
Curiously, shops like to sell beginners so-called sinking tip lines. Sinking tip lines can have the first 9′ sinking, while the rest is of it floats. I do not advocate them for beginners at all. Beginners (and even decent casters) will have problems casting them. The sinking part has more density than the floating part. Therefore, it kicks where they meet.
Sinking-head lines will have the whole head sinking but the running line floats. They are easier to cast than sinking tip lines, and we keep the sinking part in the tiptop to avoid the kick and shoot line for distance.
Sinking line
Schematic presentation of sinking line varieties.
The full sinking line will sink but will be curved in the water. That means there is slack in the line. A slack can obscure “takes.”
Therefore, density compensated sinking lines were developed. That means the line has a varying density (and sink rate) along its length. For instance, the running line is intermediate for 45′ – then there is a section of sink 3 for 20′ – and finally, the head is sink 5 for 25′. This line will be straighter in the water column. There are different sink combinations to match the various scenarios we fish in.
Density Compensated Sinking Line
These lines will cast very differently than a floating line. Do not false cast much and open up your loops.
