Choosing the right fly line makes a bigger difference than most anglers expect. The wrong line for the conditions can kill your presentation, make casting a chore, and cost you fish. At Fyne Tackle we stock a focused range of Rio lines chosen specifically because they work on Scottish stillwaters — here's how to pick the right one.
Rio Mainstream Floating Fly Line — Best Budget Floater
The Mainstream is Rio's entry-level floater and it punches well above its price point. If you're new to loch fishing or want a spare line for a second rod, this is where to start. Reliable, easy to cast, and available in the weights you need for trout fishing. Pair it with a floating leader and a team of wets for classic loch-style drifting.
Rio Avid Trout Floating Fly Line — Best Mid-Range All-Rounder
A step up from the Mainstream, the Avid has a more refined taper that makes it noticeably easier to turn over longer leaders and deliver flies with less disturbance. If you're fishing a 10' rod on the boat or the bank, the Avid handles the range of techniques — wet fly, dry fly, and indicator fishing — without compromise. Great value for the serious day-ticket angler.
Rio Gold Premier & Rio Gold Elite Floating Fly Lines — Best Premium Floaters
The Gold series is Rio's flagship trout floating line and one of the most popular fly lines in the UK for good reason. The Premier is the sweet spot for most anglers — excellent loop-to-loop loop memory, a versatile taper, and a slick coating that shoots well even in cold conditions. The Elite steps it up further with low-stretch technology for better sensitivity and hook-sets at distance. If you're fishing a premium rod like the Loop Trak, match it with a Gold.
Rio Elite Stillwater Floating Fly Line — Best for Dedicated Loch Work
Designed specifically for stillwater fishing, this line is built for the techniques that catch fish on Scottish lochs — washing line rigs, long leaders, and slow retrieves. The taper is optimised for turnover at the longer distances typical of open water, and the floating tip keeps your flies in the zone. This is the specialist choice for serious reservoir and loch anglers.
Rio Mainstream Intermediate & Rio Aqualux Premier Intermediate — Best Intermediates
No loch angler's bag is complete without an intermediate. The Mainstream Intermediate is the affordable option — a slow sinker that cuts through surface drift and keeps your flies fishing at a consistent depth. The Aqualux Premier is the premium choice, with a clear low-vis finish that's particularly effective when fish are just sub-surface and spooky. If budget allows, go for the Aqualux.
Rio Premier Midge Tip & Rio Phil Rowley Midge Tip — Best for Targeting Sub-Surface Fish
Midge tips — floating lines with a short sinking tip — are deadly on Scottish lochs when fish are feeding just below the surface but won't take off a pure floater. The Premier Midge Tip is a versatile choice; the Phil Rowley is a specialist pattern designed for slow, deliberate presentations to fussy fish. Both are worth considering if you regularly fish calm conditions or flat water.
Not Sure Which to Choose?
If you're only buying one line, the Rio Gold Premier covers most loch fishing situations. Add a Rio Aqualux Premier Intermediate as a second line and you're set for the vast majority of Scottish stillwater conditions throughout the season.
We're based in Argyll and fish these waters ourselves — if you want advice before you buy, get in touch.
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