fly line review

[luckydude]

What do our more experienced members think of this review:

http://www.tridentflyfishing.com/blog/fly-line-shootout-review-buyers-guide

[Sheepdog8404]

Thanks for posting that link, Lucky! I've been waiting for someone who has the means to do an in depth review of fly lines just like this one! I bet those dudes had a blast on this project. It's definitely going to help a lot of anglers both new and seasoned to help pair one of the many fly lines available to their rods.

[Darian]

"What do our more experienced members think of this review:"(??) Narrow focus, A lot of effort/data to find out which 5 weight line is best. Impractical. Personally, I don't want to know that much about a single line choice. I'll just continue to go to my local shop and seek advice/info, then try a line out on demo rod/reel. Hasn't failed so far....

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Just quickly cursing through it, it looks very informative.....

I sold fly lines for over 50 years now and watch all the changes that happened during this time.

For decades fly fishing experts have recommended spending the most money in your outfit selection on a top fly line.

Next most important is the rod......and lastly the reel.......for trout.


With all the thousand of choices in fly lines it is possible to get the wrong one for your rod's action and casting style/speed.

__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _

In a perfect world if you have purchased a 9' #5 line fly rod you would want to be able to try at least a dozen different weight forward floating fly lines with a 9' 4x tapered leader and size #14 dry fly on water.

If you are mostly fishing indicators in moving water you want to get a line that is designed for that purpose or ask some top drift boat indicator guides what they recommend.

After a lifetime around fly lies I can tell you that guides and people who work at fly shops usually have a good idea what is a good fly line for a particular type of fly fishing.

Weight forward floating lines come in several different head lengths.

Shorter ones are for shorter casting.

Longer heads are for longer casting and longer mending and longer roll casting.

__________________________________________________ _______

If you are Spey casting or salt water fly fishing the fly line choice is everything....

Be sure to get professional help in these areas....

.



.

[Larry S]

Here's another thought on the subject of choosing the optimal line for a rod. Years ago, I
purchased a switch rod and used Lance Gray as a guide both on the Feather and the Lower
Sac. He carries a multitude of lines in his boat and we were able to try out several (3 or 4)
different weights on that rod to find the one which best fit that particular rod. Granted, Lance,
like most guides, are going to be somewhat wedded to one line maker. In another thread,
Bill mentions some teaching guides in the Sac area that would probably offer the same
advice during a streamside lesson. Also agree, as always, with Darian. Take the rod to a
shop and seek advice and parking lot casting.
Best
Larry S

[Tony Buzolich]

I agree with both Darian and Larry. There's no substitute for trying a line while it's on your own rod, and, with you casting it.

That is an incredible report but offers really a lot more than is needed for the average guy to make up his mind on. It still comes down to trying it out, in your own size, on your own rod. Enough said, Tony

[luckydude]

What I was really looking for was "is this review all BS" or "huh, useful stuff there to think about".
I bought a Hardy Zenith 5wt based on the yellowstone something shootout and I'm pretty happy
with it.
I'm looking to go after bigger fish, read their 8wt shootout, surfed the net and found all sorts of
people going "this is complete nonsense, they tested all the rods with the same line, you need
to line your rod with the right line, etc".
So I started reading about fly lines. I've been a RIO something guy for 30 years because that's
what I started with and I'm really not a pro or close. But I have seen that some lines do better
than other lines, I was wondering if that's just me.

As for the "you should go to the fly shop and take their advice" I'm an engineer. I like figuring
stuff out.

Seems like this review is worth reading over again carefully.

[Larry S]

lucky,
There's a free magazine that you can pick up at some fly shops-
-http://www.flyfishamerica.com/
A great resource at the best price ever. They will often do test reviews of various
items like lines, rods, reels, etc.
Check with your area shops to see if they carry it.
Best to all,
Larry S
Sun Diego

[JasonB]

Well I did find the article interesting and informative. I can see where some folks probably knew most of that already, but for me there were some interesting tidbits that elevated my understanding of how fly lines work. I'm not really all that impressed by the information on their rod shootouts, though I do sometimes daydream my way through some of them. I suppose the difference here is that I would not really rely on their testing methods to choose a rod, or a line, for me and my fishing; but I do find value in articles like this one that provide lots of information to illuminate the concept and choices a bit further.
Thanks for sharing that btw,
JB

[JAWallace]

I've referred to this article several times since it was published. I read the opinions, but am more interested in the taper graphics.

I started weighing all my lines a couple of years ago, and look at grains now more than the AFTMA number as the different manufacturers' lines can vary up to 50 grains from the AFTMA standards. Rio is the worst offender there. Airflo is usually quite accurate, and SA seems to run just slightly over in most cases.

I fish fiberglass, so the shops aren't as much help as glass really isn't their strong suit. I've found that if i can find a certain grain weight that works for a specific rod along with the preferred taper, which for glass is usually a longer head, I can usually tell if a line is going to work. I don't worry about the brands much--weight and taper and of course sink rate is about all I look at.

I love playing with lines, and probably have 50 of them. Many I've bought used to try them, and if they don't work then they are often found here in the classifieds or elsewhere. Your risk is cut way down when you can test out a used line, then if you really like it maybe buy it new.

FWIW I think overall the new SA textured lines are the best out there overall. The triple density sinking lines are phenomenal, far superior to the old Uniform Sinks, although I rarely see anyone using them. I have the Mastery textured floaters in a few weights and like those too. For clear intermediates, Airflow has that market beat with their non-coiling running line. For vertical fishing and easy distance casts, the Rio Deep series are excellent, and the cheap Rio bass line is the best I've ever thrown. Don't let the price dictate the desired outcome--often the cheaper lines cast just as well as the $90 items.

I agree that good casting overcomes a lot of problems we often attribute to lines and rods. I try to practice several facets of casting 3-4 times a week, 20 minutes per session. I used old lines or cheap lines in the street, and often do it at night under a streetlight. I think it pays off. The neighbors are used to me.

[Carl Blackledge]

Lucky,

I have never believed anything from some type of "shoot out" article either fly lines-fly reels or fly rods. Not sure if they are all BS, but maybe.

What I do believe in is what works best for me and the particular situations I am fishing in. simple example would be if I was fishing an Hex hatch I would certainly want a different taper floating fly line on my rod, then lets say if I was fishing with a midge pattern.

I think it would behoove a guy to go to the local fly shop and test several lines and see what works best with his own personal casting stroke, and his favorite rod. And he buys the right line for the right fishing circumstances for intended use. Not the line that some shoot out tells you to buy when they don't even know what your casting too, or what rod your casting with...Just my take on it

Carl Blackledge