A wire line includes a flyer payoff and means for controlling the wire discharged from the flyers payoff by a tension system comprising two spaced tensions, the first of which comprises two groups of rolls with the rolls of one group staggered with relation to the rolls of the other group with the groups relatively movable toward and from each other to apply more or less tension on the wire as it leaves the flyer payoff with the tension system also including a second tensioning means comprising a drum and a guide sheave spaced therefrom about which the wire is passed with sufficient surface engagement with the drum and sheave so that they will rotate as the wire passes thereover rather than the wire slip on either, and then applying a friction drag on the drum to retard the rotation and apply a greater amount of tension before the wire passes on to a point to be serviced.