Skip to main content

Swim Fly Lines

Fly-line design often follows fly-rod popularity.

Swim Fly Lines

(Photo courtesy of G.Loomis)

It’s common that fly lines are designed to match fly rods—either a specific fly rod or a fly rod type. If super-stiff fly rods rise in popularity, for instance, then you make 2X-heavy fly lines to help load those rods. It’s not often that it happens the other way around, but according to Mike Schultz, that’s exactly what happened with G.Loomis NRX+ SF rods. Schultzy already had a favorite set of lines that could handle almost any freshwater situation where you want to swim big, articulated swimming flies, and trigger strikes from smallmouth bass: “The SA Sonar Titan series of fly lines from intermediate to sinking delivers swim flies with ease in a variety of situations and conditions,” said Schultz. “The 33.5-foot head designs have been the foundation of our Upper Midwest smallmouth programs for years.”

Swim Fly Lines

There are 22 freshwater lines in the Scientific Anglers Sonar Titan lineup, but Schultz has four favorites for smallmouth bass and the NRX+ SF rod. 

From late September to early May, the Sonar Titan Full Intermediate allows him to stay connected to the fly, when “feel” is most important. He switches to the Sonar Titan Tropical Clear Tip in low water in the summer because it’s built for the heat. “The full intermediate is not necessary, as we are not tracking the fly great distances,” says Schultz. “Instead, we’re  picking apart small, high-percentage areas. He switches to Sonar Titan Triple Density Int/ Sink 2 / Sink 3 or the Sonar Titan Triple Density Hover Sink 2 / Sink 4 in holes over 6 feet deep, or just to keep flies like Blane’s Crafty Changer or Schultz’s Fluttercraft Changer down in the strike zone while using a two-handed retrieve.

Use the 240-grain line with the 7-weight NRX+ SF, and 280-grain lines with the 8-weight.




GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

Master fly tier Charlie Craven shows how to use compressed air and markers to do custom paint jobs on popper flies. All ...
How-To/Techniques

André Brun Demonstrates the Backhand Snake Roll Fly Cast

Master fly tier Charlie Craven shows how to use compressed air and markers to do custom paint jobs on popper flies. All ...
Fly Tying

Tim Cammisa

Master fly tier Charlie Craven shows how to use compressed air and markers to do custom paint jobs on popper flies. All ...
How-To/Techniques

Fly Tier's Bench: Bakko's Phat Azz Hopper

Master fly tier Charlie Craven shows how to use compressed air and markers to do custom paint jobs on popper flies. All ...

Ed Jaworowski's Fly Casting Video Series, Video 3: Critical Angle

Master fly tier Charlie Craven shows how to use compressed air and markers to do custom paint jobs on popper flies. All ...
How-To/Techniques

Nymphing Is A Drag

Master fly tier Charlie Craven shows how to use compressed air and markers to do custom paint jobs on popper flies. All ...
Fly Tying

Blane Chocklett: fly-tying innovator & guide, reveals new flies & relationship with Lefty and ASGA

Master fly tier Charlie Craven shows how to use compressed air and markers to do custom paint jobs on popper flies. All ...
News

Jay Nichols

Master fly tier Charlie Craven shows how to use compressed air and markers to do custom paint jobs on popper flies. All ...
How-To/Techniques

Ed Jaworowski, a lifetime of studying the physics of fly casting

Master fly tier Charlie Craven shows how to use compressed air and markers to do custom paint jobs on popper flies. All ...
How-To/Techniques

Ed Jaworowski's Functional Fly Casting Part 2: Rotation & Leverage

Master fly tier Charlie Craven shows how to use compressed air and markers to do custom paint jobs on popper flies. All ...
How-To/Techniques

Fly Tier's Bench: Max's Mess Maker (MMM)

Master fly tier Charlie Craven shows how to use compressed air and markers to do custom paint jobs on popper flies. All ...
News

Lefty: The Greatest of All Time

Master fly tier Charlie Craven shows how to use compressed air and markers to do custom paint jobs on popper flies. All ...
Gear

DIY Airbrushing on Popper Heads

Fly Fisherman Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Get the Fly Fisherman App apple store google play store

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top Fly Fisherman stories delivered right to your inbox.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Fly Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now

Never Miss a Thing.

Get the Newsletter

Get the top Fly Fisherman stories delivered right to your inbox.

By signing up, I acknowledge that my email address is valid, and have read and accept the Terms of Use