Rio Perception Fly Line Review in 2024

Rio Perception Fly Line Review

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In this article, we will review the Rio Perception fly line in detail looking at all its features, pros, and cons plus how it’s best to fish with it.

The Rio Perception Fly Line was designed as an all-around trout line that will present every trout fly from a micro 22 dry to a size 2 streamer.

Who Are Rio?

Rio is one of the youngest fly line manufacturers in the world having been founded in 1990. But, their dedication to quality and their understanding of what today’s fly anglers need from a fly line has made them one of the top line companies today.

See also our Rio Gold Fly Line Review here.

Every one of Rio’s lines goes through rigorous testing before it ends up in the hands of an angler. So no matter whether you choose a Mainstream, Gold, Elite, or InTouch Perception fly line you know it will perform.

Design & Features Of The Rio Perception Line

Rio Perception

Overall Score

76%
Casting Performance
80%
Durability
70%
Line Memory
70%
Weather Versatility
80%
Ease of Handling
80%
Floatation
70%
Visibility
80%
Price-to-Performance Ratio
70%

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The Head & Taper

The head of the Perception is relatively short at 36 feet long. This short head is perfect for fly fishing on smaller waters where shooting quick short casts are your bread and butter. But it won’t be your friend on big waters where mends are important and it will take a lot from the angler for mends from the running line to the leader.

The head is also heavy and loads all-action rods well plus it’s not too shabby to roll cast with either and you can push a casting distance of 40 feet with ease.

The front and back taper are gentle and a solid length of and 8 and 6 feet. This allows a consistent energy transfer that helps turn over your leader and any size trout fly with precise accuracy and presentation.

The Coating

This Rio line is built with their new enhanced SlickCast coating, labeled as the slickest and most durable coating on the market.

This coating is slippery smooth and really does do great things to your casting. There is minimal friction when you shoot a cast and the running line will flow out of your Sage rod easier than ever before.

The coating also does a great job of protecting the line from dirt and oils ensuring it lasts as long as possible.

Rio Perception fly line

The Core

The Perception lines are built with Rio’s new ultra-low stretch ConnectCore technology which aids all anglers in every part of their fly fishing from cast timing to hook sets and playing fish.

The ultra-low stretch connect-core technology provides more sensitivity in the fly line so you can connect with it better. It will feel different at first, but once you get the hang of it you’ll have more feel for better and more precise cast timing.

You’ll notice your roll casts are easier and fire out with more energy across the river and you’ll feel everything when casting.

The low stretch core doesn’t just make casting easier but it adds a load of sensitivity to bite detection too so you can reduce your reaction time.

When a fish bites, the line doesn’t stretch so you feel and see everything, even when a fish sips a micro nymph. The means quicker hook sets and more direct hook-ups too, plus the lack of stretch in the line will give you way more control over a fish in the fight too.

The Color

The Rio Perception Lines come with Rio’s Tri-color system and run from Green/Camo/Gray from the head to the running line.

Each color change denotes a part of the line. Green is the front half of the head, camo the back half, and gray the running line.

These changes do help quite a lot on the water and are a feature I really like. You can gauge casting distances better and know where in the line to start your casting from so your rod loads well.

Rio Perception

The Weight & Densities

The Rio Perception lines come only as a floating line and in every line weight from 3-8. They are designed for cold water use and come in every weight you need for fly fishing for trout in most water types.

The tip of the Perception is covered in a MaxFloat coating that ensures it floats well. This means a quicker reaction when something takes your fly, better drifts, and pick-ups which is something I like.

Pros

  • A great all-around line for smaller rivers and lakes
  • Turns over all flies from sizes 22-2 with delicate accuracy
  • Durable, long-lasting, and friction-free coating
  • Excellent all-around performance for casting and hooking fish with the low stretch core
  • Low memory for no tangles in cold water

Cons

  • Doesn’t mend well with a long line out
  • Not ideal for larger rivers and lakes

What are other fishermen saying about the Perception?

When it comes to buying products like fishing gear, it pays to search around and look at the other related reviews left by people actually using the products. I have done a search of all the related reviews already and here are what some of them said. Please go find your own too, I’m sure they’ll be just as good.

‘I was very impressed by the castability of the line as well as no coiling of the stripped line on the retrieve or before the shot, it shot really easy and I fell in love with this line’ – A Red Fish Guide in Galveston

‘Improved casting — added feet my normal casting effort–seems to have less resistance moving off the reel and ferrels–I like this line’ – Amazon Customer

Rio Perception verdict

The Verdict

Overall, the Perception is an awesome line for fishing on small rivers and lakes for any smaller freshwater species. The taper combined with the coating, core, head, and color system makes a super durable high performing line that everyone who touches seems to end up loving, including me.

If you have been on the fence it’s time to take the plunge and please buy this line, you won’t regret it.

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