Fly Line

[jarrod white]

Since we dont have a Product Review Board, I thought this would be the best place to discuss this.
I would like to hear everybodys prefered fly line , and why you prefer it. I have just about everything, and I kind of like them all, but I have not found one that I can say I LOVE. I just wanted to hear everybodys opinion.

                      Jarrod

[MikeA]

These are the lines I've used this year.

SA Streamer express, is hands down the best integrated shooting head line but lacks a little in the toughness category due to the mono core. It'll always have a place in my bag though.

SA Wet Tip express, has a braided core but it isn't as cast friendly as the streamer express. It's still a great line that'll last several seasons.

Orvis depth charge, much like the wet tip express but a little tougher, you can't tear it up. Down side is no color code, its all orange and brown.

SA Ultra 4, IMO the best deal on a floating fly line out there. You can usually get it cheap, it has the AST coating, it floats well what else do you need.

Sage Equator, good stuff. I got mine when STP clearanced it out. I should have bought a lot more. It’s a great line in any weather with a nice fat floating taper.

Wonderline, despite to poor reviews I’ve had good luck with the stuff. I’ve had to send a few back but Orvis always made it right.

Rio Gold, had to send one back but the new one seems to be 100% better. Nice line and cast’s great. I’d buy it again.

[grumpy]

Wulff TT is my go to line for most conditions, Cortland DT on the small stream stuff,sinking lines as well & one Wonderline on the 4 weight Helios(it's picky)

Grumpy

[Steve H]

Orvis Depth Charge for sinking. I have 250 and 350 and like Mike stated, you have to mark it as it is all the same color.

8 wt floating, Wulff Bass Bug taper. This stuff will punch wind resistant flies out there. Nice bulbous head section and floats very high.

5 wt floating, Airflo Ridge line. Casts very nice and never had a coiling issue.
5 wt floating, Cortland 555. Decent casting, some coiling issues even on ULA2 reel.

3 wt, First Gen Orvis Wonderline. Has always performed for me and super slick. Coils some but if you work on it when you get on the water for 5 minutes those issues won't effect you.

[Steve Wright]

"A New One" ..........(direct quote from Dane Law & also my answer)

[MikeA]

"A New One" ..........(direct quote from Dane Law & also my answer)

Agreed.

[jarrod white]

I feel a lot better knowing that I am no the only one with a lot of different fly lines I was going thru my lines last night, and I have 21 reels and 5 spools, all with line on them. I have somehow accumulated 7 extra lines, and some of them have lost the little label, therefore I have no idea what they are Oh well, it was a lot of fun getting them  and if I see one I dont think I have tried, I will buy another


                Jarrod

[adamtn]

I've got the sharskin on my 4wt and reallly like it. It shoots really well and has a very supple core. The first time i cast it on the river i shot my cast into the willows on the other bank because it zipped out so far on the foward cast.

This line is also an excellent nymphing line. It mends effortlessly and doesn't stick to the surface tension of the water. Even the loop on the end of this line stays floating high which is much more than i can say for my rio gold which sinks for the first foot or so.

The $100 dollar price tag is a little tough to swallow, but the pro-deals lessen the sting a bit. I'm looking forward to trying out the new GPX taper that should be coming out soon

[Curtis Martin]

I haven't had the chance to try too many different lines but if I had to choose:

Floater= Cortland Precision Trout Rocket Taper

Sink tip= SA Streamer Express


What I really would like to have is a good Bass Taper for a 6wt and a 8wt.

Curtis

[lawnman]

I have to agree with Adam.  I bought a lightly used sharkskin off some city slicker (Jarrod) for a fraction of the sticker price and have been pleasantly suprised.  It is a bit loud but man it shoots great and is soo slick it will slide right out of your guides.  As little as I have been fishing lately I won't have to replace it for a few years.  It's only about the cost of a tank of gas. 

[kaisersoze]

What's the consensus on that sharkskin messing up the guides on the rod?  I've heard some people say that, but you know, people can often be dramatic.  Sounds like BS to me and if I didn't just buy a new TT I would try the sharkskin

[adamtn]

I can't tell a difference after 4 months of use on my 4wt. I don't think that a soft plastic fly line is going to do much damage to a TiCh guide on a good rod

[MikeA]

The Tich guides on my rod are turning from black to a copper color from just using regular line. I don't know if the shark line will be any worse or not. It would seem as if it might but SA assures that it isn't a problem. Guides are easily replaced anyway.

[Racer X]

I've got way too many lines.  I'm with you Jarrod, I like most of them but I'm not in love with any of them.  I'd love to be a product tester to find the ones that really suit me.  My favorite sinking lines are Airflo.  They don't get dirty as easy as PVC lines.  Thus, less tangles.  I haven't used any Airflo floating stuff so I can't comment on them.  I'd like to try them, though.

Sinking lines- Mono core SA lines (streamer express)  Why?  Less tangles than braided cores.   And, Airflo Depth Finder.

Floaters include - SA, Wulff, Rio, Orvis, and Cortland.  I like most of them.  The Sharkskin is a mending machine.  Most supple line I've ever used.   

I have found that the most important thing in a fly line is keeping them clean, uncoiled, and stretched.  A clean line works good.  A dirty line will bring on fatigue in many ways.  Some lines are more maintenance than others in this department. 

[Steve H]

Rusty, hopefully I will be able to get up that way soon as I will bring my Airflo Ridge line. Very nice WFF in a 5 wt.