New line

Checking my rods, I see that I could use a new floating 5wt line.

The last couple lines I bought ( for other rods ) disappointed me ... one, a
gray one ( maybe SA but I'm not positive ) has terrible memory and all
efforts to straighten it yield only poor results .... the other ( a Rio )
has a finish that turns sticky quickly ( I clean my lines often and even
bought some Rio brand line treatment trying to remedy this ) and then casts
poorly ..... and, of course, no floating line really floats worth ****
after the first hour


So, I bet some of you out there follow the "latest and greatest" product
trends .... is there a line available that comes close to it's adman hype?
What's the best available, at this time? opinions?

"Larry L" wrote in message
...

..... and, of course, no floating line really floats worth ****
after the first hour

Do you seal the end of the fly line after tying in the butt section or
leader?

JT

"JT" wrote


Do you seal the end of the fly line after tying in the butt section or
leader?



I've tried a few different methods .... how do you do it/ what do you use?

I think I get and notice more tip sink now than I did years ago. My guess
is this is because I now fish mostly very "rich" waters that have lots
"scum" floating around as a result of that biological richness i.e. the line
gets dirty fast. These same waters also tend to put a premium on delicate
presentation, so a sunken tip gets noticed faster and with more irritation
than it might working up a classic freestone creek.

The last 5 years I've gradually taken to cleaning/treating my lines more and
more .... now I do it nearly daily, before leaving the truck. When I
forget to, or succumb to laziness and haste, I nearly always regret it
within a few casts.

On Apr 27, 12:10 pm, "Larry L" wrote:
Checking my rods, I see that I could use a new floating 5wt line.

The last couple lines I bought ( for other rods ) disappointed me ... one, a
gray one ( maybe SA but I'm not positive ) has terrible memory and all
efforts to straighten it yield only poor results .... the other ( a Rio )
has a finish that turns sticky quickly ( I clean my lines often and even
bought some Rio brand line treatment trying to remedy this ) and then casts
poorly ..... and, of course, no floating line really floats worth ****
after the first hour

So, I bet some of you out there follow the "latest and greatest" product
trends .... is there a line available that comes close to it's adman hype?
What's the best available, at this time? opinions?

Call me a luddite, but I still prefer the old Cortland 444 peach
lines. I use them on my rods that see the most action, and I've been
seen fishing with Cortland 333 HT on the rods that see less use. I
keep them clean, use a bit of dressing, and am happy with both. The
333 doesn't las as long as the 444, but floating and short casting
characteristics seem fine to me.

"Larry L" wrote in message
...

"JT" wrote


Do you seal the end of the fly line after tying in the butt section or
leader?



I've tried a few different methods .... how do you do it/ what do you use?

I use zap-a-gap, I put a dab on the end of the fly line and also coat the
nail knot. When the glue starts to setup, I role the knot between my fingers
to smooth out the glue. Seems to allow the knot to run through the tip top a
little better.

While fishing the Bitterroot last month, I purchased the RIO Classic in a
DT5F, I have only fished it 4 days, however was happy with the line.

JT

"JT" wrote


While fishing the Bitterroot last month, I purchased the RIO Classic in a
DT5F, I have only fished it 4 days, however was happy with the line.



Thanks JT, ZapAGap is what I've used too... similar technique


I like my Rio ... except that it seems to have a rough finish that collects
dirt quickly ... when clean and freshly treated it suits me fine

I spent some time looking on line mfg websites today ... the hype is so
thick it slowed download time noticably, sticking in the webpipes ... you
can now get "5wt" lines that "weigh more" ( doh, ain't it the weight of 30
feet that makes it a 5wt ) and 1/2 size lines, clear tip lines ( Mr Fish
can see a size 28 midge that is so clear you can see it's innards, but NO!
he can't see our miraclewonderline :-) and lots of other silliness ...
I make a point of supporting people that "support" me ... I'll just wait and
buy whatever line is suggested by a shop owner I "owe one" .... but other
people's opinions are always interesting


Hum, my Rio has a loop ... did you cut that off and use a nail-knot? I
like the loop-to-loop thing more than I dislike it ( everything having both
good and bad points )

"Larry L" wrote in message
...

Thanks JT, ZapAGap is what I've used too... similar technique


I like my Rio ... except that it seems to have a rough finish that
collects dirt quickly ... when clean and freshly treated it suits me fine


I don't have enough water time on my RIO to make that distinction, however I
hope that's not the case with the new RIO I just bought. Do you still use
the RIO cleaning product or something else?

As George A. mentioned in a previous e-mail, I too am a big fan of the
Cortland 444 Peach, I would have bought that line while over in MT. however
the shop didn't carry it. :-\


Hum, my Rio has a loop ... did you cut that off and use a nail-knot?
I like the loop-to-loop thing more than I dislike it ( everything having
both good and bad points )

For years I have used a nail knot to connect my butt section to fly line,
then I would blood knot my leader to the butt section. When the braided loop
to loop (if that's what you are referring to) came out, I tried them for
awhile, I had one pull off the end of the fly line and that was enough for
me. I've never had a nail knot slipped off the end of the fly line, so I
went back to that technique.

I have no real evidence of this, however it seems as thought the braided
loops would make the first 6 inches of the fly line sink? Another reason I
like the nail knot, it also seems like a cleaner connection?

At the same time, I agree it's very easy to swap out leaders with the loop
to loop, I found the following that might just be the ticket for you:
http://www.graysofkilsyth.com/fishing-knots-gray's-loop.htm

JT

"JT" wrote

When the braided loop
to loop (if that's what you are referring to) came out, I tried them for
awhile, I had one pull off the end of the fly line and that was enough for
me. I've never had a nail knot slipped off the end of the fly line, so I
went back to that technique.


No the Rio line I got had a loop built in as part of the line .... I hate
the braided things you add on.

I use a needle nail knot on all other lines. I may hack the factory loop
off the Rio soon and use one on it. The line coating is starting to crack
in that loop and that area is fatter than it would otherwise be, too. The
Rio line has actually served me well. Lines don't live forever and I tend
to use them past their prime at the same time that I'm picky about their
performance. I may expect too much, but I'm impartial in my expectations
.... all brands I've tried fail to really satisfy me G

Yes, I'm still using the Rio conditioner ... but I liked whatever it was I
had before that better, it was slicker, longer, it seemed .... no, I don't
remember what it was G

"Larry L" wrote in message
...

Yes, I'm still using the Rio conditioner ... but I liked whatever it was I
had before that better, it was slicker, longer, it seemed .... no, I
don't remember what it was G

Larry,
there was a thread recently on line cleaning. Both Scott Sediman
and I thought were told line dressings attract dirt. Scott said he
uses mild dishwashing soap and water, and I use the Scientific Angler's
cleaning pad, but no line dressings or conditioners. I got my advice from
the SA reps.

I also use the Scientific Angler Trout Taper in a DT 5wt in the dark olive
color and had very little problems with coil memory. If you know you
will not be using your line for awhile while spooled on the reel, make
sure it's dry. I wipe the line down with a damp cloth, then a dry
cloth, then hit it with the cleaning pad after my use on the water.

Lefty Kreh would stand on his line and gently pull with both hands as he
worked out the coils of memory line.
-tom

"Tom Nakashima" wrote

Lefty Kreh would stand on his line and gently pull with both hands as he
worked out the coils of memory line.
-tom


I stand on my line and work with both hands .... I call it a totally failed
double haul

Flashback

When my wife and I were serious but still un-married ( been married 30+years
now, so that was a while ago ) we went on a backpack into Yosemite.

Not wanting the bears to get our food and definitely wanting to impress my
cute traveling companion, I set out to hang our food and show her how a real
he-man does that important task.

I found a suitable tree limb and a suitable rock. Then I tied some 1/8
inch nylon cord to the rock and wound up and let 'er fly, aiming to clear
the limb and then pull our food pack up out of harms way.

Well, I was standing on that 1/8 line and the rock wizzed up towards the
branch, jerked when it came up tight onto the section under my foot, and
then flew back at great speed. It hit me square in the forehead, nearly
knocking me out and opening an impressive and bloody wound G

So much for my macho outdoors hunk efforts :-)


My wife still has and still chuckles over a photo of me sitting, bandaged
and brooding, on a boulder after she patched me up.

End Flashback