Rio Gold Review in 2024 – Fly Lines

In this Rio Gold Fly Line review, we present you an excellent general-purpose line. We'll take a closer look on the pros and cons of the Rio Gold Fly line. Read on to know more.
rio gold review

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Rio Gold fly line is one of Rio’s premier products and it has gotten better for 2021! With its recent updates, it has further improved on its long-standing reputation as an excellent general-purpose line for modern-day fly rods, perfect for several fish species.

In this Rio Gold review, we compared it with other fly lines over the past few months it is safe to agree with the company’s claims that this is one of the “slickest and most durable fly lines” on the market.

rio gold freshwater

Overall Score

74%
Casting Performance
80%
Durability
70%
Line Memory
70%
Weather Versatility
70%
Ease of Handling
80%
Floatation
80%
Visibility
70%
Price-to-Performance Ratio
70%

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About Rio Company

Rio is a relative newcomer to the fly line game, with their first fly line introduced in 1997. They quickly rose to the top of the market with their high-quality products. The company divides its fly lines into four series: Mainstream, Avid, Premier, and InTouch.

Pros And Cons Of Rio Gold Fly Lines

Pros

  • A perfect all-round line for softer rods
  • It is a perfect nymphing line on softer rods due to its shorter front taper.
  • It can handle several fish species.

Cons

  • It is too light for faster rods

About Rio Company

Rio Gold Review

Other than your fly rod, the thing that will have the greatest effect on your fishing experience and your catch is the fly line that you choose. It will affect how your rod feels and even how easily it casts. As a beginner, it can be difficult to choose — there are so many different types and manufacturers out there. 

Here are some things that you should consider when choosing a fly line for your fly-fishing adventure.

  • weight
  • taper
  • density
  • color
  • floating or sinking 

Rio Gold Features Benefits

Features & Benefits Of Rio Fly lines

Most trout fishermen use the Rio fly line as the standard against which they compare other lines because the company has been meeting and surpassing the expectations of fly fishermen since it opened its doors. Let’s take a look at some of the materials and features that the company has incorporated into this product to make it so special.

Materials Used for Rio Gold Fly Line

Only the highest quality materials go into these lines. It is designed using their patented MaxFloat and SlickCast technology. SlickCast produces the least amount of friction ever measured on a fly line. The result is improved casting, less clogging due to a dirty line.

MaxFloat improves the float and slide during your cast. Its water repellent qualities keep it light and dirt free. This prevents clogging and maintains your rod and reel’s fast action for trouble free casting. 

Design and features

This line is available in four different color combinations  — moss gold, melon/gray, orange, and Lumalux. Each colour suits a different purpose. Orange and moss are excellent for either teaching or learning to fly fish. It is easy to keep track of the hgh-visibilty for coaching purposes. If you want to video yourself casting so you can critique your own form, the orange pops against the natural background during playback.

The melon or gray are perfect for fishing in any conditions, the line blends with your surroundings giving you an advantage when fishing a species that is easily spooked.  

Finally, the Lumalux can be charged with an intense light source making it glow. This is ideal for night fishing or even casting competitions where you want the line action to be clearly visible.

The following is a summary of features from the Rio Gold product page: 

DUALTONE — Marks the sweet spot of a fly line by providing an obvious color change in the line at the sweet spot.

EASYID — RIO’s printed marking system that allows anglers to quickly and easily identify each line.

FRONT WELDED LOOP — A neat, bulletproof loop welded at the front of the fly line for fast rigging to a leader.

BACK WELDED LOOP — A neat, bulletproof loop welded at the end of the fly line for fast rigging to backing.

Rio Gold Specs

Specifications Of The Line

Rio Gold is a 90-foot floating and weight-forward line. It has a special taper design and weight distribution. This makes it easier to cast a little further than many similar lines. It casts long very well, but not at the cost of losing accuracy at shorter distances.

It is available in different weights from three to nine. This means you can easily use it for flies from #22 to #2. Finally, it has a MaxFloat Tip that helps to keep your end out of the water. floats twice as high as regular tips without extra bulk. The MaxFloat tip reduces drag and makes it easier to catch the perfect trout.

Here is a video showing its features: (courtesy: The Wading List): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srTAKxB8Il8  

What People Say

What People Say

But you don’t need to believe my review. After scouring the internet, here are some reviews about this fly line Rio makes”

“Wonderful all-around. Fast Action, Half line size heavy. Perfect for medium-fast to fast action rods. The Head design loads the rod quickly for short casts, and a long belly allows the caster to carry a large amount in the air. Roll casts are great. Floats well. Shoots great. Great choice when carrying one rod and the situation calls for a little bit of everything from nymphing, dries, to streamers. Others are better at specific tasks but this stuff multitasks like no other. I personally don’t fish often enough to give an opinion about durability.” – Robert Huffman from Amazon

“Rio is the best. Worth every $. Casts like a dream.” – Rusty Shackleford from Amazon

Alternatives

  • Orvis Access Flyline
  • Scientific Anglers Frequency Boost Line

Orvis Access

Orvis Access Flyline

Orvis Access is perfect for Orvis access rods. It is 125 feet in length, and it features a moderate front taper with a compact back taper. The best thing about it is the color changes along its length, making it easy to see how long it flies. Orvis Access is also longer than Rio Gold and less expensive.

Scientific Anglers Frequency Boost

Scientific Anglers Frequency Boost Line

Frequency Boost is well-rounded and suitable for heavier flies. As its name implies, it gives you the extra push needed to get your fly a little further when casting. Because cost is always a factor, it is important to point out it is cheaper than RIo Gold as well. 

FAQ

Are RIO lines any good?

RIO lines are generally well-made and reliable fishing lines. They are designed to be durable, and their various models of lines are designed for a variety of different fishing needs. Many anglers have had good experiences using RIO lines and report that they perform well.

Does Rio Gold Fly line have a loop?

Yes, the RIO Gold Fly Line does have a loop. The line is pre-looped for easy rigging and quick connections with leader material. The loop is welded and has an excellent knot strength.

How long is a Rio Gold fly line?

The RIO Gold Fly Line is available in a variety of lengths, from 75 feet to 90 feet. The exact length you need will depend on the type of fly fishing you are doing and the size of the water you are fishing in.

What weight fly line for trout fishing?

When you are fly fishing whether it is for trout or any other species, setting up your gear is not about the best weight line or the best weight fly rod. It is about balance.  

With that in mind, the best option for trout fishing is a 5 /6 or seven. Faster action rods are best, with matching line in a 5 / 6 or 7 weight as well.  And remember none of it matters if you haven’t matched the reel too.

rio gold freshwater

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What is the best fly line for trout fishing?

If you are looking for the best fly line for trout fishing, Rio’s Gold is hard to beat. Their combination of proven technology and color are likely to up your fly fishing game. For a full list of the best fishing games check out our post. When it comes to fly lines Rio is hard to beat. 

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