RIO Gold fly lines first took flight in the early 2000s, brought to life on the unmerciful testing grounds of Idaho’s hard-earned Henry’s Fork River. Hundreds of thousands of casts across endless miles of water later, the Gold Standard of multi-purpose fly lines transformed the game by giving anglers the ability to transcend boundaries. The newly minted lines in RIO’s expanded Gold line-up run on a similar guiding principle: That the perfect multi-purpose fly line empowers you to do more in the places you fish most. And because no region, water-type or fly box is the same, Gold Series now includes three distinct line classes – XP, MAX and Gold Classic – each driven by intentional designs that play to the go-to applications that define your everyday experiences on the water.
CLASSIC RIO Gold | Behind the Design
An Idaho original — the fishability, castability and design principles behind our classic Gold Standard fly line stand the test of time. From RIO’s home-waters on the Henry’s Fork to wherever your trout-y targets swim, get the inside scoop on how, why and where this design excels and transcend applications with the multi-purpose fly line made for freshwater anglers with a dry-fly focus, but a readiness to adapt to subsurface pursuits as conditions change.
RIO Gold Standard STANDARD WEIGHT / STANDARD POWER.
Primary: Small Dry / Dry Dropper
Secondary: Big Dry / Light Indicator
The classic RIO Gold fly line first took flight in the early 2000s. From then to now this Idaho original continues to make its mark as the leading multi-purpose fly line designed for freshwater anglers with a dry-fly focus, but a readiness to adapt to subsurface pursuits as conditions change. Take a trip to RIO’s home-waters of the Henry’s Fork River, where we link up with Fly Fish Food’s Clark “Cheech” Pierce for a Gold Standard showdown on one of America’s top technical-trout fisheries.
NEW RIO Gold XP | Behind the Design
Weighing in at a half-size heavy and powered by a mid-length head, new Gold XP is the most versatile multi-purpose taper in RIO’s freshwater Gold line-up. Catch up with our product-development team and get to know how Gold XP’s “extra power” — relative to Gold Classic — offers truly blended performance for everything from sending drys at distance to running heavier rigs though deeper pools to making quick shots from drift boats. Get to know the multi-purpose fly line designed for the angler who fishes subsurface flies just until the hatch pops, then transitions to dry flies to stay on top.
RIO Gold XP ½ SIZE HEAVY / EXTRA POWER
Primary: Dry Dropper / Light Indicator
Secondary: Small Dry / Big Dry / Light Streamer
One of two new-for-2025 lines in RIO’s freshwater multi-purpose portfolio, Gold XP joins the ranks as the half-size heavy “extra-power” choice for the angler who fishes subsurface flies just until the hatch pops, then transitions to dry flies to stay on top. Connect with the RIO squad on Colorado’s legendary Roaring Fork River, where we team up with local guide and team ambassador Christian Hill for a deeper dive into the powers of variable smashing fly-line versatility. Get to know Gold XP — for Extra Power + Extra Versatility.
NEW RIO Gold MAX | Behind the Design
Weighing in at a full line-size heavy, new Gold MAX is RIO’s most powerful all-around taper for delivering plus-size rigs that get bites in fisheries not centred around long leaders and tiny drys. Catch up with our far-roaming product development team and get to know how Gold MAX’s distinctive rear-loaded design roll-casts bulkier rigs with ease, mends effortlessly at distance and delivers large dry flies with finesse. Get to know the multi-purpose Gold MAX line that makes easy work of your plus-size presentations.
RIO Gold MAX REAR LOADED / FULL SIZE HEAVY
Primary: Heavy Indicator / Big Dry
Secondary: Streamer / Dry Dropper / Light Indicator
One of two new-for-2025 fly lines in RIO’s freshwater multi-purpose portfolio, Gold MAX joins the ranks as the rear-loaded, full-size heavy choice for anglers who have more tungsten, feathers, foam and heavyweight rigs in their boxes than CDC, parachutes, long leaders and size 22s. Connect with the RIO squad on the Kenai River, where we team up with Alaska Trout Guides Owner/Operator Josh Hayes and put Gold MAX to work in a world of go-big-or-go-home. Get to know multi-purpose Gold MAX — for Maximum Power + Effortless Performance.
