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What's Your Line?
One of the most overlooked aspects of the flyfishing gear equation is the fly line itself. The more I fish, the more I'm starting to think that the line is as important (or more so) than the rod you cast it with. You can have the slickest "cannon" in the world, and if your line is sub-par, you'll be shooting duds.
Does anyone agree with me here? What lines do you fancy and why? I'm loving the SA Sharkskin, especially in the WF 5F variety, though I've heard people complain about the noise it makes. (As far as I'm concerned, the thing can whistle the Brady Bunch theme, so long as it rides and shoots like it does.) I'm also big on the RIO XS lines. Heard nice things about Air-Flo, and a new Cortland model.
Do you put a lot of thinking into the taper and model of line you use? Can you tell the difference between lines when you're casting dry flies, versus nymphs, for example? Anyone still addicted to double-tapers? Do you clean and care for your line, or do you (like me) think, "Jeez, for $50, $60, even $100, the dang thing had better walk on water, and last me several seasons?"
Deeter
Ole' cortland peach has never let me down in any configuration. The only other time i have a special need is the salt. Shooting heads work great in that situation. But honestly, i never ran into a situation with trout where the $45 peach line wouldn't cut it.
Posted by: tobewan | October 01, 2008 at 01:46 PM
I heard if you strip the sharkskin back, it can do some damage?
I use plain old cabelas line. Nice orange heavy part with a yellow running body and a looped end.
Posted by: Evan V | October 01, 2008 at 02:17 PM
Hi, here in Italy i usually use the Selective trout from Rio in DT version for my 3wt rod and dry flies for grayling, when presentation is more important than distance.
I have also a selective line WF for my 5WT all round trout rod,that i use for dry flies and nynph or streamer fishing, than i have (and love too much!i'm honest) the Sage performance taper (made from Rio i think) WF 4 when i fish with dry flies or nynphs for both, grayling and brown (medium size).
Rio is my first choice also when i'll go fishing in saltwater destinations, bonefish line,tarpon line (WF F and WF 9.5 ft intermediate tip,this last one is a really good taper in windy conditions) i don't like too much the Tropical versi tip of this brand, but i think the Deepsea is one of the best castable sinking line ever made.
I don't like too much the SA line for saltwater but the Ultra 4 is superb for trout fishing, never had the opportunity to try the Sharkskin but i would.
I've just buy a Airflo Depth Finder for fishing little dorado, sea bass and little tunny in the (our) Adriatic sea, i'll let you know how it performs soon, in the hands it seems very well made, but i still have to cast with it.
Posted by: Emiliano | October 01, 2008 at 02:50 PM
I have seen plenty people bust up fish with cheap line. I have always told myself that the next time I need some line, I am going to experiment with some cheaper stuff, but every time I leave the fly shop I am always carrying some $65 or up Rio or Sage line. I can't help myself. Does it make a difference? I don't know. I have yet to use anything that is not expensive and weight forward. I need help.
a note about the noise.... I don't mind lines that make a "shhhh" noise when shooting, but I hate lines that rattle in the guides. It is the same reason that I spent 2 hours crawling around in the back of my truck trying to find that nickle that fell into the body panel. Talk about annoying.
Posted by: Fat Guy Alex | October 01, 2008 at 04:24 PM
I have a 5 wt lefty Kreh line Deeter gave me...
Posted by: Alex Pernice the fly rod winner | October 01, 2008 at 07:09 PM
I tried the SA Sharkskin 8 wt this summer. Did not like it at all. Which is interesting because I love their Mastery Series lines. Nothing better as far as I am concerned.
Posted by: Capt Gordon | October 01, 2008 at 09:00 PM
i use rio gold because it mends well, super slick,cast nymph rigs easily and above all the welded loop doesnt absorb water so im not left with a sink tip line when fishing drys
ps: if you want an easier way to clean line in between getting the hot water and soap out use a rio wonder cloth and it also makes your grips look good to
Posted by: jerry k | October 01, 2008 at 09:03 PM
I use a silk DT5 (phoenix brand)
cost me $US275 but should last my lifetime and then some if cared for properly (which it is)
Casts superbly on grahite or cane
only downside is that by the end of the day the front foot turns into a sink tip but that not a big deal at all
Posted by: anselmo | October 02, 2008 at 06:51 AM
Cortland 444 lines.
yrs-
Evan!
Posted by: Evan! | October 02, 2008 at 08:15 AM
lead core. 13 grains per foot. snag trout across the back in shallow water.
Posted by: joey | October 02, 2008 at 03:01 PM
joey
you forgot about the trebble hook and the propeller.
Posted by: jerry k | October 02, 2008 at 08:32 PM
..here i'm again, i finally tested the Airflo Depth Finder 300 grains (with intermediate running line) in the sea, i like this full sinking line very much, this is a good line for salt & fresh in cold conditions,it's well balanced and go deep ultra fast, i'm very impressed by. I usually don't like too much the floating line of this brand, too stiff with "memory" and tangles problems, but this sinking taper that i've try seems to be a good quality one.
Posted by: Emiliano | October 05, 2008 at 04:36 AM