Wulff Ambush vs Rio Chucker?

[Pvillarr]

Does anyone have experience comparing the two lines? I am looking for an intergrated line for my #3 switch rod. Thanks in advance.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Call Lincoln Gray at Sierra Stream & Mountain in Chico, CA.

He would/should be familiar with both lines.

[Pvillarr]

Call Lincoln Gray at Sierra Stream & Mountain in Chico, CA.

He would/should be familiar with both lines.

Thank you.

[Mitox]

Check out the OPST Commando smooth works great!

[Pvillarr]

Check out the OPST Commando smooth works great!

Yeah, I have multiple OPST heads but not the smooth. I do like the heads but with 12' tips on my switch rod. I was just curious about trying something else.

[MHeuch]

I have tried both the Ambush and the Chucker on by 11' 5wt switch rod. They are similar for 2-handed casting and both handle sink tips. An odd thing happened on the second day using the Chucker, I noticed a gash in the head exposing the core, I don't know how it got there. I went back to the Ambush and stuck with it for serval years now. I always use a poly/versi leader with the Ambush.

What I like about the Ambush, is the ability to shoot a roll cast, when there is limited room to wade out from shore. What I don't like is the integrated running line, which does not shoot as well as a thinner shooting line. I think that they sale a head only.

I have read that the Chucker was better when using indicators, but I don't use those much.

Interesting when I bought the Ambush for my 5wt, I followed the wt + 2 rule and ended up with a 7wt 265 grain line. This line was much too light for my 5wt, and I later purchased the correct weight. The good thing; that orig. 7wt 265 grain line worked great on a 7wt single handed rod for throwing sink-tips. When I pruchased a 3wt spey rod last year, the 265 grain laned right in grain window for that rod. Which made it pretty versatile.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

I guess it is desirable to have an integrated fly line for Single Hand Spey casting.

Spey casting veteran Doug Duncan prefers heads for two hand Spey casting so he can choose his running line.



At Kiene's we can cut lines and put welded loops on both ends for people.

[Pvillarr]

Thank you for all the info. Personally, I prefer a head system with OPST lazar running line. However, I wanted to try an integrated line for my 3 wt switch rod to be able to throw streamers without have the connection bump into the guides.

[Brian Clemens]

I'd recommend checking out Rios Intouch Skagit trout spey. I personally fish/use both the trout Skagit and spey heads for single handed as well as smaller/shorter switch rods and love them for swinging. Short, compact, casts easily and packs a punch in a short head. The intouch Skagit spey is fully integrated and I feel works way better than the rio chucker line, never been a huge fan of the chucker.

[PV_Premier]

I agree with Brian, with the advent of the new Rio, SA and OPST integrated skagit and scandi lines there are better options than the chucker for dedicated swing fishing. One thing I do give the chucker props for is being an excellent lake line for long roll casting with indicators, like at Pyramid.

[Half Pounder]

Does anyone have experience comparing the two lines? I am looking for an intergrated line for my #3 switch rod. Thanks in advance.

I have fished both side-by-side on my 3 wt short spey. FWIW, I'd say the Wulff Ambush has an advantage for dry presentations or soft hackles, but that's about it. Not at all my favorite line in this category, but mileage varies as we all know. That said, I would pick the Ambush over the Clunker unless I decide to lob a hamster pattern into my yard to catch that fox that has been coming around lately.

+1 on Brian's advice for a better option than those two.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

I think an integrated line, one piece, would be preferable for most doing Single Hand Spey casting, particularly on smaller water, so you don't have that loop to loop connection going through the tip top and guides.

____________________________________

The Rio "inTouch Trout Spey" full line is for Summer/Fall fishing with tapered leaders or shorter Versi leaders and smaller flies.

https://www.rioproducts.com/products/intouch-trout-spey

____________________________________

The Rio "inTouch Trout Skagit Spey" full line is for MOW tips or Tungsten tips with heavier flies in the Winter, mostly.

https://www.rioproducts.com/products/intouch-skagit-trout-spey

_____________________________________

According to Lincoln Gray who has used all these line, these are the best thing today.


**Still getting the right line weight for your single hand or two hand rod is critical.

Give Lincoln a call to discuss your needs.....530/345-4261.....Sierra Stream & Mountain fly shop, Chico, CA.

[Trouter925]

what are you going to do with the rod? I would only use switch chucker if I was going to bobber nymph. It is a compromise line - can do a little of everything half-assed. The Ambush has some memory - it keeps a coil. If I were going to purely throw streamers I would get a skagit - if you want integrated OPST, Scientific Anglers have integrated skagit heads. SA has an integrated scandi as well - look up "spey lite"

[Pvillarr]

Thanks for all the replies everyone.

I have yet to try the Rio trout spey lines yet but I do now own the Rio Chucker, Wulff Ambush, and OPST (Integrated and Head-Only). As stated previously, the Chucker is good for indicators but suffers on distance, the Ambush is similar to the Chucker with a thinner running line but has coiling memory issues in cold climates, and the OPSTs can throw some serious weight but may not cast as far as longer heads. Personally, I like the Airflo Skagit Scouts for switch rods and even some rods up to 12.'

...too much gear with so little time...thanks again for all the feedback.

[PV_Premier]

Thanks for all the replies everyone.

I have yet to try the Rio trout spey lines yet but I do now own the Rio Chucker, Wulff Ambush, and OPST (Integrated and Head-Only). As stated previously, the Chucker is good for indicators but suffers on distance, the Ambush is similar to the Chucker with a thinner running line but has coiling memory issues in cold climates, and the OPSTs can throw some serious weight but may not cast as far as longer heads. Personally, I like the Airflo Skagit Scouts for switch rods and even some rods up to 12.'

...too much gear with so little time...thanks again for all the feedback.

Some updates from my side.

Bought an ACR1255 -- love it with a .026 Rio connectcore shooting line and the Rio 350gr trout spey head @ 22', which amounts to a slightly compressed #7 Rio scandi body.

ACR 1134 - been fishing this with a 265gr (#5) Scandi body, but have a 270gr SA spey lite scandi and 240gr SA spey lite skagit intermediate that will probably be better, need to line these up and fish them yet.

Awaiting delivery on OPST commando groove 225gr (for the 1255), 300gr and 325gr (for an 11' 7wt switch, whichever i don't like will be resold). The 3x for 2 deal was useful.

[Pvillarr]

Scandi Bodys are wonderful graceful lines. I own quite a few all the way up to 400 grains. However, they can't cast as big of flies as some of the other options above.


Some updates from my side.

Bought an ACR1255 -- love it with a .026 Rio connectcore shooting line and the Rio 350gr trout spey head @ 22', which amounts to a slightly compressed #7 Rio scandi body.

ACR 1134 - been fishing this with a 265gr (#5) Scandi body, but have a 270gr SA spey lite scandi and 240gr SA spey lite skagit intermediate that will probably be better, need to line these up and fish them yet.

Awaiting delivery on OPST commando groove 225gr (for the 1255), 300gr and 325gr (for an 11' 7wt switch, whichever i don't like will be resold). The 3x for 2 deal was useful.

[PV_Premier]

Scandi Bodys are wonderful graceful lines. I own quite a few all the way up to 400 grains. However, they can't cast as big of flies as some of the other options above.

Agree, I would not want to be chucking a big articulated Galloup streamer with one, nor a heavy lead wrapped/bead chain intruder. Though I rarely fish flies like that, I always find myself gravitating toward smaller/slimmer flies, which means the SB's rarely come off my reels. Call it confidence I guess? :)

I was fishing a size 4 sculpzilla on the #3 rod back in ID a couple of weeks ago using a 305 scandi body. It wasn't great, but it got the job done when the alternative was walking a mile back to the car to get the skagit head. The bigger mistake I made was letting my girlfriend fish with the 1255 and leaving me stuck with the 1134 :p

[Half Pounder]

I have the ACR 1134 Nova 2 and it's a pretty punchy little 4 wt that likes a Scandi Lite 270 integrated line in my hands.