Mending
Also called Line mend, Upstream mend, Downstream mend
Mending is repositioning fly line on the water during a drift to reduce drag and keep the fly moving naturally.
- Group
- Drift & line control
- Category
- Technique & presentation
- Level
- Beginner
- Water
- Freshwater
Last updated
What Mending means
Line on the water gets grabbed by different currents. A mend is a controlled flip of line upstream or downstream to change how the line lies, without moving the fly much.
Most mends are done right after the cast and then again as the drift develops. You lift the rod tip to pick up just the belly of line, then sweep or flick the tip to place that line where you want it. Upstream mends slow the fly down. Downstream mends speed the drift up and can help set up a swing at the end.
Mending shows up in dry fly fishing, indicator nymphing, and wet fly swings. It is less of a factor in tight-line approaches where very little line touches the water.
Why it matters on the water
Drag is the main reason a good-looking drift stops producing. A clean mend buys time, keeps the leader from pulling, and lets the fly drift at the speed of the seam it is in, not the speed of the line in a faster or slower lane.
Good mends also improve hook sets. With less slack in the wrong place, the take shows up sooner, and the rod moves the hook instead of just moving a big belly of line.
Read next
- Dead driftA dead drift is a drift where the fly moves at the same speed and direction as the current, with no pull from the fly line.
- DragDrag is unwanted pull from current on your fly line or leader that makes the fly move unnaturally during a drift.
- Drag-free driftA drift where the current carries the fly at the same speed and direction as the water around it, with no pull from line or leader.
- High-stickingA short-line nymphing technique where you hold the rod high and keep most of the fly line off the water to reduce drag and stay in direct contact.