Fly Line Color

For sinking lines, it is generally best to choose a line that is darker in color, such as brown. While this point is open to argument and debate, most anglers seem to conclude that when sub-surface fishing, fish may be less apt to see a darker color fly line than a bright one.

However, for top water or floating lines, the color of the line is generally immaterial as far as the fish goes.  Whatever the color of the fly line, when looking up, a fish is bound to see it except for at night (when a dark line may prove beneficial).  A fish looking up towards the surface of the water will see the fly line regardless of the color since the line itself is lit up from the light of the sky - and thus casting a shadow over the fish.  Since this is generally accepted (although arguments do rage on about this), it is generally best to choose a fly line color that is easy for YOU to see. Brightly colored fly lines are much easier for the angler to see, and seeing the fly line is crucial for successful fly fishing - especially when fly fishing with nymphs.  This is especially true in low light conditions, where actually seeing your fly is almost impossible, and the angler must instead rely on the actions of the fly line.