We are often asked the same questions by customers regarding Snowbee products, and unfortunately there is never room in a catalogue to include all the answers, so here goes! Please choose from the selection below.

Fly Rods

Fly Lines

Clothing

Waders

Smoking Fish

 Fly Lines

Q: I have heard a lot about the Snowbee XS Fly Lines. What makes them so special?

Q: What should I use to clean my Snowbee fly line?

Q: I’m new to Single-Handed fly fishing, which line is best for me?

Q: I’m new to fly fishing, how much backing should I put on my reel?

Q: I’m new to fly fishing, how do attach my line to my reel?

Q: I am new to two-handed ‘Spey’ casting and would like to know which line is best suited to me.

Q: Tell me more about your 3D Spey lines?

Q: What are the dimensions of your 1D, 2D and 3D Spey lines?

Q: Tell me more about your Scandinavian Spey lines and shooting heads?

Q: What is meant by Optimum Rod Loading & Optimum Head Weight?

Q: How do I construct a Shooting Head?

Q: I have heard a lot about the Snowbee XS Fly Lines. What makes them so special?

A: Since their launch 10 years ago, the Snowbee XS Fly Lines have been recognised and accepted as the best British Fly line ever made. They combine a traditional feel with high-tech, state of the art manufacturing technology and design. The result is a top quality Fly Line with a unique balance of properties.

When we began, what turned out to be a 2½ year development project, we analysed all our competitors lines and found they fell broadly into 2 categories; traditional Double Taper Lines for delicate presentation on the River or Weight Forward lines, all of which seemed to be moving towards the "Bug" or "Rocket" taper design, with all the weight at the head of the line. Great for distance, but the short, steep tapers destroy presentation.

We set out to design a Fly Line, which would do both jobs competently - shoot distance effortlessly but also provide delicate presentation. To achieve this, we used long shallow front and rear tapers, and a long belly to give a superb, controlled turn over, coupled with a low diameter running line, for outstanding shootability.

The low stretch braided core and unique PVC formulation provides an Ultra-Low memory, which sets new standards in suppleness. Coupled with this, the Ultra-smooth surface finish allows less guide friction, less drag and hence higher line speed.

The combination of a truly balanced profile and fine running line, produce outstanding shootability, whilst the revolutionary new line profile transfers line energy smoothly down the front taper, to give a controlled turn over and superb presentation:

The fine running line of the Snowbee XS Fly line measures just 0.85mm diameter. The average fly line has a running line of around 1mm diameter - this is 38% greater volume to punch through the air! Greater volume - higher air resistance - lower line speed! Particularly important when casting into a head-wind.

We are so confident of our XS Fly Lines, that we offer a money-back guarantee. If you are not entirely happy with your new line, simply return it to the retailer you bought it from, for a full refund. Why else would many of the world's top rod brands, including Sage, choose Snowbee XS lines to use on all their Rod Demonstrations?

Q: What should I use to clean my Snowbee fly line?

A: Most industrial cleaners and polishes contain solvents that can damage the fly line's PVC coating. In the worst instance they can cause it to dry out or even crack.

Insect repellents containing DEET, solvents, gasoline, sunscreen, and excessive heat and sunlight can also destroy fly lines.

Recommendations for Cleaning and Dressing...

Most Snowbee fly lines are self lubricating - they actually release a small amount of silicone over time which aids their shootability. However, cleaning is also an important aspect of fly line longevity, we therefore recommend cleaning lines before regular outings or, if you don't fish that often, maybe once every two months or so.

In freshwater, microscopic particles of algae will collect dirt and other deposits onto the line. These small particles adhere to the surface of all lines but with floating lines, it can sometimes lead to the line becoming less buoyant. A dirty line will also grind ridges into rod rings which in turn, might also damage a new line.

Saltwater fly fishing can be particularly damaging to lines as salt will dry on the line, we therefore recommend lines are cleaned on a daily basis. If your line is not shooting so well, or the tip of a floating line is beginning to sink, it is well overdue for a good cleaning.

Warm water, a few drops of a mild soap, without detergent, or even a small bar of soap and a rag is sufficient for cleaning a fly line.

For enhanced performance and extended life, each Snowbee line comes complete with a specially formulated bottle of ‘line slick' for floating lines or line ‘degreaser' for sinking lines. We recommend all lines are treated before they are used for the first time. Not only will this protect the line but it will also reduce the amount of friction when passing through the line guides. Just a few drops of fluid squeezed onto a dry cloth or paper towel is all that's required. Just pull the line through the cloth, hang large wide coils on a clothes peg and allow to dry.

If the line is not going to be used for a long time, we recommend removing the line from the reel and storing it in large coiled loops in a dark room, or in a drawer, away from direct sunlight.

Do not use a line dressing that contains a wax since it can destroy the self lubricating properties of the line, many have solvents in them.

Q: I'm new to Single-Handed fly fishing, which line is best for me?

A: There are several lines you could use but what's important is that the line is capable of transferring sufficient energy to carry and present the fly to the fish, with the minimum of effort and disturbance to the water. As a general rule small flies can be cast with lighter line weights, whilst large flies, often used for catching large predatory species, require larger line weights.

Line density is largely dependant upon the river conditions. In cold and sometimes very hot weather, fish will often lie deep - in milder conditions, 50-65ºF, fish will often respond to a fly fished near the surface. As a beginner we would advise you to begin learning casting with a floating line. As you progress and become more confident you can then start to use sink tips and full sinking lines. As always we would recommend you get some professional instruction and make an informed choice before you buy any line.

If you are still unsure, please do drop us an email and we'll be happy to advise you. Email: flyfish@snowbee.co.uk 

Fishing in small rivers and still-waters - Browns, grayling, sea tout and Rainbows averaging 1-2lbs

Here presentation is more important than distance. As a general guide we recommend line weights as follows:

Small Wet & Dry Flies

DT Floating #3-5wt

WF Floating #3-5wt

Large Wet & Dry Flies

DT Floating #5-7wt

WF Floating #5-7wt

WF Sink Tip #5-7wt

WF Intermediate #5-7

WF Ultra Fast Sink #7

Fishing in large rivers and still-waters - Browns and Rainbows averaging 3-5lbs

Here presentation is important but you will need to be able to cast longer distances to cover the water. Having the extra line weight will also give you an advantage over lighter lines, especially when casting into a wind. As a general guide we recommend line weights as follows:

Small Wet & Dry Flies

DT Floating #5-6wt

WF Floating #5-6wt

Large Wet & Dry Flies

DT Floating #6-7wt

WF Floating #6-7wt

WF Sink Tip #6-7wt

WF Intermediate #6-7wt

WF Ultra Fast Sink #7wt

Fishing in very large rivers and ‘windswept' still-waters - Browns, Salmon, Sea Trout, Rainbows - 4lbs+

Here presentation is still important but you will need to be able to cast large, heavy flies longer distances to cover the water. Having the extra line weight will also give you an advantage over lighter lines, especially when casting into a wind. As a general guide we recommend line weights as follows:

Large Wet & Dry Flies

DT Floating #7-9wt

WF Floating #7-9wt

WF Sink Tip #7-9wt

WF Intermediate #7-9wt

WF Ultra Fast Sink #7-9wt

Fishing for small predatory species in fresh or saltwater.

Here presentation is still important but you may still need to carry a fairly large fly to a target fish. You may also need to cast the fly into a gale and so the line will need to have sufficient mass to transfer sufficient energy to turn the fly over. The front taper of the line may well be slightly shorter compared to a presentation line.

As a general guide we recommend line weights as follows:

Small/ Med Predator Flies - Streamers, Deceivers, Lures etc

WF Floating - Saltwater #8-9wt

WF Floating Bonefish - #7-8wt

WF Sink Tip #7-8wt

WF Intermediate #7-8wt

WF Ultra Fast Sink #7-8wt

WF - Spectre Pike - #7-8wt

WF - Spectre Tarpon - #9-10wt

Fishing for large predatory species in fresh or saltwater.

Here presentation is less important than being able to carry a very large fly to a target fish. You may need to cast the fly into a gale and so the line will need to have sufficient mass to transfer sufficient energy to turn the fly over. The front taper of the line may well be very short compared to a presentation line.

As a general guide we recommend line weights as follows:

Large Predator Flies - Poppers, Divers, Deceivers, Lures etc

WF Floating - Saltwater #10-12wt

WF Sink Tip #9wt

WF Intermediate #9wt

WF Ultra Fast Sink #9wt

WF - Spectre Pike - #8wt

WF - Spectre Tarpon - #11-12wt

Q: I'm new to fly fishing, how much backing should I put on my reel?

A: Backing is the additional line used when the fish runs hard and pulls the full length of the fly line from the reel. How much backing you have in reserve is generally down to the volume or space you have on the reel. The size of reel will be determined by the type of fishing you chose to undertake.  A large fish in an open expanse of water will potentially require more backing than a small fish in a small pond. It makes sense therefore to use a large reel with lots of backing when fishing for large species and a small reel with say 100yds of backing for smaller fish.

See below for a general guide to our own Snowbee XS reel, line and backing capacities

Reel

Fly Line

Various types of Backing

Std 22lb Braid

20lb Micro

25lb Power Pro

XS 560

WF5F+

100m

130m

250m

XS 780

WF7F+

130m

170m

350m

XS 910

WF9F+

175m

220m

500m

XS 1112

WF11F+

250m

325m

800m

Q: I'm new to fly fishing, how do attach my line to my reel?

A: Please click here to see detailed explanation & drawing.

Q: I am new to two-handed ‘Spey' casting and would like to know which line is best suited to me.

A: In all cases, successful Spey-Casting requires fine line control and split-second timing and so it's always worth getting some tuition from an Instructor who specialises in Spey Casting before you go out and buy any new outfit or line. Once you have a better understanding of the rivers you are going to fish, you can then make a more informed judgement as to what line will best suit you as an individual and also base your decision around the room you might have for making the cast.

We currently make a number of ‘Spey' lines suitable for fishing in a wide range of fishing situations. Whether you're looking to fish short casts in confined spaces or cast long lines in open spaces, we have something to suit. What's more we also stock lines of different densities for fishing flies either on the surface or at depth. 

Some tips on line choice............

The amount of line exposed to the rear of the caster is of paramount importance.

During the concluding moments of a Single & Double Spey, Snake Roll or Snap ‘T', a ‘D' loop is formed alongside and to the rear of the caster. Optimal ‘rod loading' is achieved when the ‘D' loop is at maximum stretch and the fly line ‘Head' and rear taper are almost completely outside of the tip ring. If executed using a perfectly balanced line, this ‘intentional hinging' of the rear taper not only improves the potential for narrowing the loop in the forward cast but it also increases both line speed and distance.

On large open rivers there is normally plenty of room for Spey-Casting and the size of the ‘D' loop is not a limiting factor. Spey-Cast your way down a tree-lined river and suddenly there is another Dimension to think about. This situation is made more difficult when the caster uses a line with too short or too long a head and finding the optimum rod-load point is left pretty much to guesswork.

The Snowbee development team has tackled this situation head-on and produced a range of lines that are perfectly balanced for Spey-Casting in just about any river environment.

Q: Tell me more about your 3D Spey lines?

A: 1D, 2D & 3D - Spey-Casting Lines are colour-coded, providing you with a choice of various head lengths and specific head weights to suit your preferred Spey Rod and Spey Casting requirements. These specific head weights are matched accurately to the ‘Optimum Head Weight' (OHW) designation on our new XS Spey Rods.

Snowbee 1-D Spey Line - Suitable for Spey Casting in small rivers where bank-side vegetation and/ or steep sided riverbanks severely limit the back-cast area. Short to middle distance Spey line, ideally suited to those individuals just starting to Spey cast.

Snowbee 2-D Spey Line - Suitable for Spey Casting in medium-sized rivers where bank-side vegetation and/ or steep sided riverbanks have only minimal impact on the back-cast area. Middle to long distance Spey line for intermediate and advanced Spey casters.

Snowbee 3-D Spey Line - Suitable for Spey Casting in large rivers where bank-side vegetation and/ or steep sided riverbanks do not encroach on the back-cast area. Long distance Spey line for advanced Spey casters.

Snowbee 3-D Spey Line profiles maximise both distance and performance, transferring casting energy smoothly along their length, giving a superbly controlled turnover for ‘underhand' and ‘traditional' Spey Casting.

Q: What are the dimensions of your 1D, 2D and 3D Spey lines?

A:  The diagram below shows dimensions for 1D, 2D and 3D spey lines.

Spey line profiles

1D Floating - View line profile.

1D Sink Tip - View line profile.

2D Floating - View line profile.

2D Sink Tip - View line profile.

3D Floating - View line profile.

3D Sink Tip - View line profile.

Q: Tell me more about your Scandinavian Spey lines and shooting heads?

A: Following the amazing success of the 3-D Spey lines in 2004, we've also added a further range of ‘Scandinavian-Spey' profile lines to meet the demands of those salmon and sea trout anglers fishing with double handed rods, where the creation of a large ‘D' loop is near impossible.

By combining the best of the ‘Scandinavian' ‘Underhand' style of casting and ‘shooting head' line technology with our own UK style of ‘Spey Casting' and delicate front taper design, we've created the ultimate fly line for those tight situations............. The Scandinavian-Spey loads the rod quickly at short range, shoots like a dream and has the turnover of a traditional Spey line. The slickest delivery of flies, with no line/backing knot into the bargain.

‘Scandinavian-Spey' fly lines come in a choice of floating, intermediate and ultra-fast sinking densities, with a colour coded core that also forms the first 50yds of your backing.

Trim-to-fit shooting heads.

The traditional Scandinavian method of using, ‘trim to fit', ‘shooting heads' for Salmon and Sea Trout fly fishing is as popular today as it's ever been.

In other parts of the world, shooting heads are commonly used for steelhead, sea trout and salt water fly fishing for bass. Wherever they're used, they allow the angler to ‘modify' the weighted section of the head to suit his own, very specific, requirements.

The all new Snowbee ‘Scandinavian - Shooting Heads' are designed with the same profile and head weights as the ‘Scandinavian-Spey' Lines, producing effective rod loading at short range and incredibly smooth turnover.  Shooting Heads come in a choice of floating, intermediate and ultra-fast sinking densities and a range of head weights to suit both single and double handed casting situations.

Q: What is meant by Optimum Rod Loading & Optimum Head Weight?

A: Finding the ‘Optimum Rod Loading', on any rod requires a basic understanding of fly casting and rod loading principles.

Optimum rod loading identifies with both the overall length and weight of line outside of the rod tip (Head Weight) as much as it relates to the energy applied during the casting sequence. Together they form a combined total we refer to as ‘Casting Weight'.  Casting weight is what makes a rod ‘flex'. It is important to remember that a rod can be over-flexed or ‘overloaded' by using too great a casting weight, especially where the angler applies too much energy to the cast or where the line head weight is too heavy for the rod action.

If you are unsure of the correct rod loading (OHW grams) or rod rating (AFTM) please consult the rod manufacturer.

Snowbee Scandinavian-Spey lines and Shooting heads have a 44ft head length and are ideally suited to fishing at short to middle distances. They also have head weights that are matched to the optimum rod loading point of Snowbee two-handed fly rods.

All Snowbee two-handed ‘Spey' rods show an Optimum Head Weight (OHW) rating, measured in grams.

Q: How do I construct a Shooting Head?

A: Snowbee shooting heads come in a wide range of head weights and so it is often possible to use them without trimming. 

If you are new to trimming shooting heads, please do take a few minutes to read through the next few paragraphs and view the PDF "construct a shooting head" before making any changes.

Shooting heads have been designed with the same front profiles and head weights as the Scandinavian-Spey lines but have the added advantage of being ‘trim-to-fit' for fine tune adjustment of head weight and optimum rod loading.

You may need to make several adjustments before you find the ‘Optimum Loading Point' so err on the side of caution when trimming and make only 6" cuts in-between each casting test. Once you have established optimum rod loading you can then make a more permanent attachment of the shooting head to running line.

4D Floating - View line profile.

3D Sink Tip - View line profile.