When you shop for a fly line, you’ll immediately see terms like Weight Forward, Double Taper, and Sinking Line. For beginners, these can feel confusing — especially when all you want to know is:

Do I need special lines for dry flies or streamers?

Short answer: No.
You can fish both with a single fly line, the workhorse of trout fly lines:

• A Weight Forward Floating Line

But to understand why, it helps to know what these line types mean.

1. What Does “Weight Forward” Mean? (WF)

A Weight Forward (WF) line has most of its weight concentrated toward the front of the line. That thicker front section helps the rod load easily and makes casting simpler for beginners.

Why Weight Forward Makes Casting Easier

• The front-loaded mass helps turn the rod over
• The line shoots farther with less effort
• It performs better in wind
• It turns over nymph rigs and small streamers well

Weight Forward lines are the most popular fly lines in the world — because they just work in almost every situation.

When you see WF#F, it simply means:

• WF = Weight Forward
• F = Floating
• # = The line weight, WF5F = Weight Forward 5wt Floating

So WF-F is a Weight Forward Floating line, and it’s the go-to choice for nearly all beginners.

2. What Is a Double Taper Line? (DT)

A Double Taper (DT) line is the same thickness on both ends, with a long, even taper through the middle. It’s a more traditional style of fly line.

Pros of Double Taper Lines

• Very delicate presentations
• Excellent roll casting
• You can flip the line around when one end wears out

Cons for Beginners

• Harder to cast long distances
• Doesn’t punch through wind as well
• Not as versatile as Weight Forward

Beginners almost always prefer Weight Forward.
DT is great for small streams, roll-casting, and traditional trout fishing — but it’s not the best “do everything” line.

3. What About Sinking Lines?

Sinking lines come in different forms:

• Sink-tip
• Full-sink
• Intermediate-sink

What they do:

They help get streamers down deep in fast or still water — something a floating line can’t always do effectively.

Why beginners don’t need them yet:

• Harder to cast
• Specialized tools for specific waters
• Not used for dry flies at all
• Not needed for small-to-medium streamers

A floating line plus a weighted streamer is more than enough for anyone learning the basics.  Once you start fishing big rivers, deep lakes, or heavy streamers, sinking lines become incredibly useful — but that’s intermediate level fishing.

4. So Do I Need a Special Line for Dry Flies?

No.

A standard WF-F line works perfectly for:

• Dry flies
• Parachutes
• Caddis
• Midges
• Terrestrials

Some manufacturers offer “dry fly tapers,” but those are designed for ultra-technical presentations. Beginners won’t benefit from them yet.

5. Do I Need a Special Line for Streamers?

Again: No — not at first.

A WF-F line can cast:

• Woolly Buggers
• Small baitfish patterns
• Leeches
• Most trout streamers

Only when you transition to big streamers or deep water will you want:

• Sink-tip lines
• Full-sink lines
• Streamer-specific taper lines

But that’s something to explore later — not during your first season or two.

6. Which Actual Fly Line Should I Buy?

Here’s where most people get overwhelmed — because every brand makes multiple “series” and “tapers.” Let’s simplify it.

RIO Fly Lines

RIO has two main line series:

• Premier
• Elite

Both series include many taper options, but the RIO Premier Gold is the industry-standard all-around trout line.

RIO Premier Gold

• Excellent for dry flies, nymphs, and small streamers
• Easy to cast
• Works on almost any rod
• Used by countless guides, instructors, and professionals

Beginners do not need the extra features of the Elite RIO Gold, which adds technologies that matter more to advanced casters.

Scientific Anglers (SA) Fly Lines

SA offers three major line families:

• Mastery
• Amplitude
• Magnitude

For beginners, the Mastery series is the sweet spot.

Mastery Infinity Taper

A do-everything trout line that excels across styles.

Mastery MPX Taper

A touch more powerful, great for:

• Slightly bigger flies
• Wind
• Beginners who benefit from a more aggressive front taper

Both are excellent. 
Don’t overthink it — you can’t go wrong with either.

Beginners do not need the advanced coatings and additives of the Amplitude or Magnitude series.

Orvis Fly Lines

Orvis isn’t as widely used as RIO or SA in the fly-line world, but they make very good lines.

Orvis Hydros Trout Line

• Casts beautifully
• Works across all beginner trout situations
• Solid durability and performance

If you're already buying Orvis gear or want a no-fuss, reliable line, this is a great choice.

Beginner Recommendation 

If you’re new to fly fishing, buy:

A Weight Forward Floating (WF-F) line that matches your rod weight.

Here are the safest, most universal picks:

• RIO Premier Gold
• Scientific Anglers Mastery Infinity or Mastery MPX
• Orvis Hydros Trout

These lines work on almost every modern fly rod and handle:

• Dry flies
• Nymphs
• Small-to-medium streamers
• Rivers, ponds, and lakes

You do not need:

• Sink-tip
• Full-sink
• Specialty dry-fly tapers
• Euro lines
• Any specialty line

Not yet.

Beginner Summary

Your first fly line should be:

→ A Weight Forward Floating (WF-F) line that matches your rod weight.

This one line lets you fish:

• Dry flies
• Nymphs
• Small–medium streamers
• Rivers, ponds, and lakes

You don’t need Double Taper or Sinking lines until later.

Quick Comparison Chart

Final Thoughts

Understanding fly line types doesn’t need to be complicated. A Weight Forward Floating line is the most reliable, versatile, and beginner-friendly choice, and it will let you fish the majority of trout water with both dry flies and streamers.

Save Double Taper and sinking lines for later, when you know your waters and techniques well enough to appreciate the differences.