Brian Butts | Marking Fly Lines Without Stickers | Tom Rowland Podcast Ep. 329

Brian Butts runs 239 Flies, a fly fishing shop where he rigs demo reels with various fly lines and has developed a simple system for organizing and identifying them. When fly line stickers fall off reels almost immediately after application, anglers face a common frustration: standing on the water with multiple lines and no way to tell whether they're holding an 11 weight, 10 weight, or 8 weight. Brian shares his permanent marker system that solves this problem without stickers or glue, revealing how thick marks and thin lines create a visual code that stays legible season after season. The method is so simple you'll wonder why fly line manufacturers haven't figured out a better solution in 2020.

The Permanent Marker System That Solves Fly Line Identification

At 239 Flies, Brian faces a challenge that every serious fly angler eventually encounters: keeping track of multiple fly lines across different reels. His shop maintains numerous demo reels, each loaded with specific line weights for testing, and the traditional sticker system fails almost immediately. What Brian developed instead is a visual coding system using permanent markers that turns your fly line into its own label. One thick line equals five, each thin line equals one. The marking goes directly on the line itself, visible at a glance, permanent enough to survive seasons of use. It's the kind of elegantly simple solution that makes you question why the industry hasn't adopted it as standard practice. Brian explains the full marking technique starting at 2:24.

Why Fly Line Identification Gets Harder Every Season

As you accumulate fly fishing experience, you inevitably accumulate lines. An intermediate for early season, a floating line when conditions warm up, backup lines in different weights, specialty tapers for specific situations. Tom and Brian discuss how modern manufacturing has made the problem even more complex: full clear floating lines and clear intermediate lines mean you can't rely on color coding anymore. You're left holding multiple spools or reels, trying to remember which is which, potentially grabbing a 7 weight when you need a 10. The difference between line weights isn't something you can reliably judge by eye or feel—Brian compares it to distinguishing 25 pound leader from 30 pound by touch alone. Organization systems help, but only if you can identify what you're organizing. The conversation about why identification matters starts at 1:57.

The Tools That Make the System Work

Brian's method requires nothing more than a really strong permanent marker—he mentions Sharpie or Prismacolor specifically. The key is marker quality: it needs to adhere well enough to survive water exposure, handling, and seasonal storage. The marks stay visible through use, don't require any glue or adhesive on your reel, and can be applied to lines already on the reel or on the line itself before spooling. For a shop managing dozens of demo setups, this system eliminates confusion and saves time. For individual anglers switching between seasonal setups or maintaining multiple line types, it provides instant visual confirmation without fumbling for reading glasses to check a faded sticker. Brian discusses marker selection and application at 2:42.

Staying Organized When You Have Multiple Line Types

Beyond marking individual lines, Brian emphasizes the importance of physical organization systems. Keep intermediate lines separated from floaters. Store lines in labeled boxes or on dedicated reels organized by type. The marking system tells you what weight you're looking at; your storage system tells you where to find it next season. Tom asks whether you can distinguish floating from sinking by sight, and Brian confirms that's relatively easy—but without the marking system, distinguishing a 9 from a 10 or an 8 from a 7 remains nearly impossible. The combination of smart marking and deliberate storage means less time sorting gear and more time fishing. The organization discussion happens at 3:56.

Final Thoughts from Tom

This is one of those How 2 Tuesday episodes that solves a problem every fly angler has faced. You buy a line, you put it on a reel, the sticker disappears, and six months later you're standing there trying to figure out what you're looking at. Brian's system is so simple it almost feels obvious once you see it—but I'd been dealing with unmarked lines for years before hearing this solution.

What I appreciate about Brian's approach is that it acknowledges reality. The industry hasn't solved this problem. Stickers don't work. Color coding fails on modern clear lines. You need a system that lives on the line itself, survives handling and weather, and gives you instant visual confirmation. One thick mark equals five, thin marks equal one. That's it. Grab a good permanent marker and you're done.

If you have more than two fly lines in your arsenal, you need this system. Brian walks through exactly how he marks lines at the shop, and you can implement it on your entire collection in about fifteen minutes. It's a short episode but it'll save you frustration every time you reach for a reel. Listen to the whole thing.