Running line
Also called shooting line
The running line is the thin, level section behind a fly line’s head. It carries little weight, and its job is to shoot through the guides for distance.
- Group
- Fly lines
- Category
- Gear & tackle
- Level
- Intermediate
- Water
- Fresh & salt
Last updated
What Running line means
On a shooting-head style line, the running line is the long, skinny part that sits behind the thicker head. It can be integrated into the fly line or it can be a separate piece of monofilament or coated line.
You don’t cast the running line to load the rod. The head does that. After the head is moving, the running line is what slides out through the guides when you shoot line, either on a long overhead cast or on a Spey cast.
Because it is thin and usually level, running line tends to be slick and fast through the guides. It also tends to tangle more easily than a thicker, tapered fly line, especially when it is loose at your feet or in a stripping basket.
Why it matters on the water
If the head is outside the rod tip and you still cannot get line to shoot, the running line is often the reason. Coils, memory, and loose loops catching on guides cost distance and make timing feel inconsistent.
Knowing what the running line is helps with rigging choices. Separate running line is easy to replace when it gets nicked or starts to feel rough. Integrated running line is simpler to manage and usually has a smoother connection, but when it wears out you are replacing the whole line.
Read next
- BackingBacking is thin, strong line spooled onto a fly reel under the fly line. It adds extra length for long runs and helps the fly line fit the reel correctly.
- Floating lineA floating line is a fly line designed to ride on top of the water. It is the standard choice for dry flies, indicators, and many shallow nymph and streamer setups.
- Fly lineThe fly line is the thick, weighted line that loads the fly rod and carries the cast. It connects the reel and backing to the leader.
- Shooting headA shooting head is a short, heavy front section of fly line that’s cast with a thin running line behind it, usually connected with loops.