About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the fly line, which I purchased with my own money in April of 2020.

My take

The Orvis Pro Power Taper Smooth Fly Line is the line I get when I want to stay under $100 but still want some excellent flotation and castability. It will cover all of one’s float fishing needs, whether dry flies, indicator, or Euro nymph fishing. I can even add a little length of sinking tip to fish streamers higher in the water column.

About the line

• Model: Orvis Pro Power Taper Smooth
• Weight: 8wt
• Fly line taper: Weight forward (wf)
• Core: Braided Monofilament
• Ideal Temp Range (ºF): Cold water
• Loops: Welded
• Sink rate (ips): Not sinking
• Total Length: 90ft
• Line Profile:

About me

• Preferred fishing style(s): Nymphing, Dry Flies, and Streamers
• Experience: 15+ years of fly fishing

Test conditions

• When I bought this: April 2020
• Rod and Reel Paired with Line: Orvis Hydros IV and Orvis Recon 8wt
• Days tested: 80+
• Waters I’ve used it on: Creeks, Rivers, and lakes in OH, WA, and OR
• Species targeted with rod: Trout, Bass, Steelhead, Char, Sunfish
• Fly Size: 3wt, 8wt

How it performs

What I was looking for

On my 8wt and 3wt rod, I felt as though I didn’t need the extra expense of the Pro Textured line but still wanted a quality WF floating line. I still wanted a power taper and the ability to cast far distances.

Why I chose this gear

I chose the Pro Power Taper because it would allow longer, more accurate casts while still floating well and came in at a solid price of less than $100. I was looking at some other RIO lines but went with the Orvis line because I was going to pair it with Orvis reels.

What I love about it

• Performance: For under $100, I am very happy with how far I can cast with this line, and it’s floating. However, it doesn’t sit as well as the Pro Textured line, but it by no means lacks flotation.
• Quality: The line feels solid in my hand and has a nice smooth finish to it, allowing it to run through my hand while shooting the line. Its made with an excellent compound taper that is unique to the Orvis series, allowing for maximum line shooting ability.
• Versatility: This line can be fished in salt or fresh water and on rivers, creeks, or lakes, so it really does not restrict my fishing opportunities at all.
• Use Case: With this floating line, I can fish indicators, dry flies, tight line nymphs, or fish streamers near the surface. So it does not restrict how I fish.
• Casting: The power taper of the line allows me to shoot it farther than a typical weight forward line, and it false casts well.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Durability: One issue I've had with this line is similar to the issue I've run into with the Orvis Pro Textured series. I have seen an occasional crack in the line, which lets water seep in and affects its floatability.

Favorite moment with this gear

I recently flew out to Anchorage, Alaska, to visit a buddy and chase a very high fish on my list: the Dolly Varden. As my friend and I rigged up our rods on the bank of the Kenai River, sockeye rose all around us, and hopes were high. After about 20 minutes of fishing, I had my first hookup. As it came closer and closer to where I was wading, I saw the red spots of my target species. I brought the fish in and netted it, where I realized that I had just checked Dolly Varden off of my bucket list species.

Value for the money vs. other options

This line comes in under $100, so it isn't in the overly expensive range; however, there are a good handful of options, such as the Airflo Superflo Power Taper Line. Most of the other lines in this price range, such as the Scientific Anglers Mastery Trout Line, are missing the power taper feature, however, which is the big selling point for Orvis. All in all, I think the Orvis Pro Power Taper is fairly priced, and people review this line well, so that made me end up purchasing it.

Final verdict

The Orvis Pro Power Taper Smooth is a great line for anyone looking to upgrade to a serious fly line. It floats well, casts better, and won’t break the bank.