Glossary
Weight-forward line
A fly line taper with most of its weight concentrated in a short front section, the taper most anglers cast today.
A weight-forward line puts the bulk of its mass into a thicker, heavier section near the front, tapering down to thin running line that follows behind it for the rest of the cast. This is the opposite of a level line, which is the same thickness end to end, and different from a double taper, which mirrors the same taper on both ends of the line.
The forward-loaded head is what makes weight-forward line easier to cast for most people. Because the weight is concentrated near the tip, it carries momentum through the air and helps the rod load with less false casting, which also makes it easier to shoot extra line for distance. This is why nearly every modern floating and sinking line sold for general trout, bass and saltwater fishing uses a weight-forward taper.
When buying, check that the line's stated weight matches the rod and look at head length, since shorter, heavier heads load fast-action rods quickly while longer heads suit slower rods and more delicate presentations. A common mistake is assuming all weight-forward lines in the same rated weight cast the same, when head length and taper design change the feel noticeably.