Streamer lines?

[JasonB]

Just wondering what everyones favorite lines for fishing streamers are? I'm specifically thinking for mid to large size streams. I'm currently using a Rio versitip 6wt, which is nice for being able to also swap out to a floating tip and fish dry/dry dropper as well. I wouldn't mind having a bit faster sink tip option though, as I find that I end up using the heaviest tip about 70%, the floating tip maybe 20-25% of the time and the "others" almost never.

JB

[Hogan Brown]

Airflo Streamer Max...great line for fishing streamers locally.

[JD]

Guess it depends on what you are trying to achieve. I know a lot of streamer fishers who just carry heads (e.g. Airfly Polyleaders) of different lengths and depths, and just adjust as needed. I use anything from a regular floater to a Type 6 shooting head myself, depending on the situation. If you find yourself just fishing deep, then an integrated shooting head like the one Hogan mentioned would be a good choice, although Airflo does not state what the sink rate on the Streamer Max line is, so it is hard to compare it to other lines (e.g. sounds an awful lot like a Teeny T-200).

[Dan LeCount]

I usually use a floater with an aggressive head, then attach a custom made tip or a poly leader of some sort, then swap around tips for how I see fit. Really depends on how fast you want to sink and how heavy your flies are, how calm the water is, etc. Are you mostly floating in a boat? Walk/wade? If you're in a boat, you can get away with heavier setups, walk/wade you need lighter stuff to pick up and throw.

[JasonB]

Thanks guys. I am mostly interested in a line system for fishing a bit deeper. For shallower presentations, I don't really need any extra equipment help; just more practice :) Although I do end up fishing small and mini streamers a lot in general, as of late I've been doing well chucking some pretty big/heavy sculpin patterns. Since it really has been more "chucking" than "casting" I thought I'd open the conversation to see what others have liked/disliked. Recently broke my 6wt (go to streamer rod), so I suppose I'll toss some streamers on my 8wt for a bit until I can rebuild the 6wt.

@Dan: Thanks, I hadn't really considered the differences in fishing from a boat. I am looking at fishing some from a boat, but mostly walk/wade. When you say a line with an aggressive head, any specifics you have found work well?

Cheers,
JB

[troutless]

In trout-size, I've been happy with the SA Streamer Express.

For big stuff, like muskie flies, the Rio striper line has got the job done.

[Dan LeCount]

Don't worry about being stuck with the 8-weight. An 8 weight is a great size for extra large trout streamer fishing. Its just nice to pick up heavier heads/tips and or throwing the big baits and pulling fish out of structure fast. I used an old 8wt Sage RP for years and almost felt undergunned on a couple trophies. (10lb plus trout)

For faster sinking I've been using T-11 and T-14 mini tips I cut and make myself. For me, around 10-12 feet has been a nice, versatile length for one handers to pick up and throw, but I also have some 5 footers, 7.5 and some 15 footers. Nowadays there's lots of lines that will work to throw those tips. Main thing is a thin running line and a compact, powerful head. I'm sure that the rio power-fly, outbound short, switch chucker should all work nice in various situations, along with the royal wulff ambush, or the SA equivalent like the titan or the magnum, but other lines like bass and pike lines also work great as trout streamer lines. I actually used an old SA bass line for years for streamer work since I liked changing tips and we didn't really have the line options like we do now. Only problem with the bass lines is, if its really cold they have a tendency to coil. Pike/musky lines are generally made with a core for colder water and should be fine. So if you find an old pike line in the sale bin, give it a try. It might become your favorite giant trout streamer line.

Whatever line you use, just attach your tip and maybe 4-5' of 15lb and you're good to go. I rarely use lighter. Although you just need to make sure you don't use leader material that has a higher break strength then your tips and/or fly line. I've seen quite a few people use 20lb maxima and lose their whole heads and/or tips.

Another trick for getting your flies down is keeping a few tungsten coneheads in your vest or even tungsten worm weights to slide onto the leader for extra sink rate. It allows you to fine tune depth and the action of the fly quite a bit.

[JasonB]

Awesome Dan. Thanks for the additional tips.
JB

[Dan LeCount]

No worries Jason. Feel free to hit me up if you ever need anything.