So fly line....does it make the outfit complete? How important is it? I recently had a discussion with a friend of mind regarding the purchasing of new fly line. I have a 4wt rod that needs line. Right now I under-power it with some 3wt line. So we got to talking about fly lines and he suggested I look into purchasing some factory seconds fly line. He explained that they are around 10 dollars a line which is certainly lower then the 50-70 I usually spend on fly line. This got me thinking a little about fly line in general. How important is it really? I must admit that while I do have a fly fishing and tying blog, this is something I have never really thought about. I am not a gear head by any stretch of the imagination. Truth be told, I have never really paid attention to rod action or fly lines. When I first started fly fishing, I tended to just pick a rod, a fly line in the weight to match the rod, and then I hit the water. It wasn't until much later that I started to really understand the mechanics involved in fly casting and why it is so important to make sure all the components of your outfit fit well together. Many people I speak with are surprised to learn that there is a difference in cold water and warm water fly lines. Using the wrong line at the wrong time can be disastrous not only for you but for the line as well.
As technology advances, new fly lines are constantly being introduced. These fly lines are more specific in their application. We now have access to fly lines that are specifically designed for Carp, Striped Bass, Smallmouth bass, Panfish, Redfish, etc. We also have access to fly lines that specialize in streamers, dries, bass bugs, nymphs and such. Rio, Airflo, Cortland, and SA are all fly line manufacturers that I have used in the past. Some I have liked and some I have not. Fishing poppers and throwing flies into a 20 mile per hour wind while at Beaver Island reinforced the importance of a decent fly line. So my question is, would you buy a factory second fly line? What if the only difference in the second fly line from the "good" one was line color or a small bump on the line itself? Thoughts?
Fly line can make all the difference in the world with how a rod casts. I don't take it too seriously. I just find something that works for my wallet. As a matter of fact I think my next lines will be these scientific anglers 2nds you can pick up for under $10.http://featherchucker.blogspot.com/2013/06/10-fly-lines.html
ReplyDeleteI've never thought about or seen factory seconds for sale. My line purchases the last few years come from amazon or sierra, at a hefty discount. Color wouldn't really bother me (more importantly the fish) a bump?? Where? Is it 90 ft into trout line, where I will never see it? Or is it 15 ft in where it might bother my casting every outing? Guess that one's a crapshoot.. where are these seconds? $10 bux seems like a worthwhile gamble
ReplyDeletecheck out http://stores.coloradoelkanddeerhunting.com/-strse-Fly-Lines/Categories.bok
DeleteMy guess is that this question and its answers depend on how "IN" to fly fishing greatness one is. I just bought a similar line. It is the second one I own. For the type fishing I plan to do most of the time, these lines will do the job. Even if they don't last more than one season (mine has) you can't really go wrong. I am very sure that there are a thousand other fly fishers willing to dispute my thought here.
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