Life Expectancy of Fly Lines

What can one expect in the way of life expectancy of fly lines. I
know that if you use them a lot or abuse them a lot (leaving them in a
hot vehicle all summer or dragging them over concrete will shorten
their useful life).

I have a 4 weight Cortland 555 which I've had for one season and took
reasonable care (no long term heat exposure or concrete). I fished
with it yesterday and it looks brittle with tiny cracks in it.

I thought lines should last at least a couple of years under "normal"
circumstances?

Any insights?

"Gene C" wrote in message
om...
What can one expect in the way of life expectancy of fly lines. I
know that if you use them a lot or abuse them a lot (leaving them in a
hot vehicle all summer or dragging them over concrete will shorten
their useful life).

I have a 4 weight Cortland 555 which I've had for one season and took
reasonable care (no long term heat exposure or concrete). I fished
with it yesterday and it looks brittle with tiny cracks in it.

I thought lines should last at least a couple of years under "normal"
circumstances?

I've been able to get a least two seasons from most fly lines, and sometimes
more.

The 555 line has a special coating that is not supposed to be treated with
anything. From what I've read, the 555 line should only need to be cleaned with
mild soap and water, though I've heard a little silicone doesn't seem to hurt
anything.

Is it possible that you mistakenly sprayed some insect repellent on the line?
That will make it brittle like you described and damage the line beyond repair.
Also, check your guides for wear and roughness. I made a similar post here a
while back, this was recommended and was the culprit.
--
TL,
Tim
------------------------
http://css.sbcma.com/timj

"Gene C" wrote in message
om...
What can one expect in the way of life expectancy of fly lines. I
know that if you use them a lot or abuse them a lot (leaving them in a
hot vehicle all summer or dragging them over concrete will shorten
their useful life).

Gene I have had Double Taper Cortland 333 and 444 fly lines for over 6
years. When one end wears out turn it around. Another thing "not to do" is
step on it.
Ernie

"Ernie" wrote in message
.com...

"Gene C" wrote in message
om...
What can one expect in the way of life expectancy of fly lines. I
know that if you use them a lot or abuse them a lot (leaving them in a
hot vehicle all summer or dragging them over concrete will shorten
their useful life).

Gene I have had Double Taper Cortland 333 and 444 fly lines for over 6
years. When one end wears out turn it around. Another thing "not to do"
is
step on it.


I have a Scientific Anglers AirCell line that looked to me like it had lots
of microcracks in it. I looked very closely, and was certain of it. Then I
washed it really well (several times) and looked close with a magnifying
glass, and disovered that they were just dirt lines on the surface. It must
be something about how a film coats a cylinder.

--riverman

"Ernie" wrote in message y.com...
"Gene C" wrote in message
om...
What can one expect in the way of life expectancy of fly lines. I
know that if you use them a lot or abuse them a lot (leaving them in a
hot vehicle all summer or dragging them over concrete will shorten
their useful life).

Gene I have had Double Taper Cortland 333 and 444 fly lines for over 6
years. When one end wears out turn it around. Another thing "not to do" is
step on it.
Ernie


The suggestion to "turn (the line) around" only works for Level or
double tapper lines, right?

Good subject..........

For years I would have people come in with a fly reel loaded with an old
Cortland 444 peach line they got around puberty and it is still in great
shape. I would pull some line out and feel it to see if it was still
supple. Until recently I would just tell them to go for it, but now with all
the improvements in fly lines over the past 5 or so years, I would say a new
line is a good idea.

Some people get out only a few days a year and their line can last for 5 to
10 years if stored properly.

Others, fish almost daily (with the same line) and their lines will be lucky
to last a season.

We are talking about hours on the water here.

A home owner buys a Skill saw and it can last a lifetime. A carpenter might
wear one out in 5 years (or drop it off the roof).



Another subject while we are on fly lines is the fact that fly lines like
fly rods can be accidentally ruined. We will have people step on their line
the first time out or cut it with the tippet that has wrapped around the
line while casting or cut it between the spool and frame while installing
the spool. Another problem is after buying a "Teeny" type super fast
sinktip, you then get it snagged in the bottom and while pulling, break the
line (20# test) and loose the entire front end. Not a warranty issue either.

While installing fly lines at our shop, we run the entire line through our
fingers which is just one more check for flaws. About every 100 lines or so
we might find a flaw that was missed by the manufacturer.

All this is not a problem with the manufacturing of the fly line, but an
accident by the user just like in a fender bender with a car.



--
Bill Kiene

Kiene's Fly Shop
Sacramento, CA
www.kiene.com

"Gene C" wrote in message
om...
What can one expect in the way of life expectancy of fly lines. I
know that if you use them a lot or abuse them a lot (leaving them in a
hot vehicle all summer or dragging them over concrete will shorten
their useful life).

I have a 4 weight Cortland 555 which I've had for one season and took
reasonable care (no long term heat exposure or concrete). I fished
with it yesterday and it looks brittle with tiny cracks in it.

I thought lines should last at least a couple of years under "normal"
circumstances?

Any insights?

"Gene C" wrote
The suggestion to "turn (the line) around" only works for Level or
double tapper lines, right?

Right, and that's double taper.
Ernie