The Fly Line Wars Rage: The Underground Begins a Pair of Tests
By Tom Chandler on Sep 26, 2007 in gear
Fly lines used to be simple stuff (it was “this one” or “that one”), but trying to pick a fly line nowadays is akin to playing chess blindfolded; the possibilities are largely endless, and it’s damned easy to get confused.
We start testing Rio and Scientific Anglers fly lines.
We’re in the midst of a full-blown technology/marketing fly line battle, and the trends are pretty clear.
First, everybody badly wants you to know their tips no longer sink. Second, everyone offers new line shooting technology (textured lines or slick materials).
Third, manufacturers are messing with tapers left and right, so all the old rules about WF and DT lines no longer apply.
Finally, there’s a line for every need. In fact, there are lines for needs I never imagined existed, but here at the Underground, we embrace marketing hype fly line diversity.
Sure, we made sport of Teeny lines for introducing a Carp-specific fly line, but that’s simply on expression of the fly line industry’s mania for producing a specific fly line for every situation (though a cynic might suggest it’s a mania for getting fly fishers to buy a lot of lines).
Most manufacturers now offer a fly line for every major species (and a few minor ones), and even though I’m not clear on the differences between a bonefish fly line and a redfish fly line, I know that I can buy several of each.
At the FFR show, two manufacturers seeded me with lines to test, and over the coming weeks, I’ll be doing just that. For now, let’s get this party started.
SciAnglers Gets Sharky
The Sharkskin lines from Scientific Anglers are creating a lot of buzz, both for the technology and their price tag.
Essentially, SciAnglers claims the Sharkskin’s “microtextured” surface reduces guide friction while casting (similar to dimples on a golf ball), traps tiny air bubbles so it floats higher, and offers durability far beyond other lines.
It sounds great, and given the line’s $99 price tag, it should perform that way. They provided me with a test line (naturally it was a bright yellow WF, and I’m a drab, DT kind of guy), but after I fish it a couple times, I’ll give you a report.
My first observation? The line sure feels like sharkskin. Lawn casting confirms the zipping line/guide noise others have mentioned, but it’s hard to confirm any distance gain. I’m saving my report for the water…
Rio Gets Techie
Rio’s approach to the market is all about technology — they tout their Agent X coating technology, Super Flotation Technology (SFT), and their fusion technology.
That’s a lot of technology for one fly line, but no marketer was ever fired for claiming technical superiority. Fortunately, they provided free lines to everyone attending their “presentation” — one of the most painful marketing events I’ve ever seen — so I’ll field test it soon.
(Helpful hint to Rio: don’t build a slow-moving PowerPoint presentation and then read directly from the slides.)
Marketing gaffes aside, their lines are much loved — especially among spey fishermen — and I’m interested in seeing how Rio’s new-style weight forward taper works with my softer, traditional style fly rods (they’re front loaded with longer head sections than traditional WF lines).
As always, you’ll hear it as it happens. See you at the Underground’s Aboveground Testing Labs, Tom Chandler.
Technorati Tags: fly fishing, fly line, sharkskin, scientific anglers, rio, Agent X, SFT
kbarton10 | Sep 26, 2007 | Reply
I confess to an unnatural obsession with “pebble finish” fly lines. Specifically the Chancellor Chalkstream lines from England that were marketed in the states in the early 90’s.
They sound raspy and abrasive coming through snake feet guides, it wouldn’t surprise me that they actually abraid the lesser metals, but good chrome plated guides are fairly bulletproof.
The Chalkstream lines “shot” more line than conventional Cortland or SA products(of the same vintage) but it may be as little as an additional 10-12 feet.
I do remember that the Chalkstream floating lines had tips that sank like stones, but I have never cared much whether the absolute tip of the fly line sank or not. It’s not the vendors fault if the last inch of fly line cannot support a Nail knot, two BB shot, and a soaked Wooly Bugger…
That extra bit of shot line proves useful in lake fishing and windy conditions, it also assists slipping additional line out of the rod tip when fishing a downstream dry, less friction is a dab less effort.
Likely the Sharkskin will be purchased just because of my past experiences - it may not live up to the marketing.
Farm effluent can float a 3 oz sinker, so I am not at all concerned about floatation of the tip.
Capt Gordon | Sep 26, 2007 | Reply
I concur about the Powerpoint thing. I hate it when somebody shows you one and assumes that you can’t frEAKING READ!!!
Tom Chandler | Sep 26, 2007 | Reply
Yes. I could only take it for a few minutes, then ran screaming for the hall — despite the fact that free beer was there for the drinking.
Chile Doctor | Sep 27, 2007 | Reply
Tom,
Great to see you’re finally breaking into something “quantitative” like testing fishing line. However, I know you’re somewhat (okay, severely) math-challenged, so this must be difficult for you. Let me make this Real Easy for You…
There are ways to 1) design the experiment, 2) collect appropriate data, 3) statistically analyze the data, 4) publish the results, and 5) get filthy rich. (There’s a missing step in there: Drink Beer. I think it goes before Step 2.)
If you knew a consulting statistician, maybe he could help you perform those Steps above and then you’d Really Be Credible about fishing stuff. If you only knew such a guy…
Oh, and I’ll cut you a deal too.
The Chile Doctor (aka TeeRex)
KW Morrow | Sep 27, 2007 | Reply
This is mostly the Excedrin Migraine, Sinus, Tension, etc. phenomenon. If you read the labels, they are all EXACTLY the same as regular Excedrin. The only difference is the label. But they sell better against competing brands on the shelves to someone with migraines, sinus headaches, or tension headaches…and so on…because people BELIEVE they are specialized products just because they SAY SO on the packaging.
The marketing research shows that most consumers won’t bother educating themselves to the level of knowing if they need a WF shooting line, sink tip, etc. with a certain grain weight and length of head for their specific application. But if they’re going carp fishing or tarpon fishing, or trout fishing; they will buy a new line that says “this is for carp fishing, this is for tarpon fishing, this is for trout fishing.” SA sort of started this with the success of the Mastery Series lines. But it is currently reaching the level of ridiculousness. Interestingly, the Sharkskin line is a DEPARTURE from this for SA. They’re back to advertising a technical innovation that generally applies to all fly lines. But $99?!?! Holy smokes! It better come with a free iPod.
opax | Sep 27, 2007 | Reply
Fly lines… Nowdays I pick the one that is expensive enough–without being too expensive–and has a color I like.
Jay | Sep 27, 2007 | Reply
Man, these companies keep making new lines for every part of the day!
How more innovations an one make on a square inch?
Really curious how these new and expensive lines come out in the field test because I’m kinda sceptic about the promises.
Please give us your honest review!
Jay
Philip | Mar 22, 2008 | Reply
So yeah I’m a sucker and bought a Sharkskin line. Floats well, casts well, shoots well…but, oh, that NOISE! Sounds like a cross between a dental drill and fingernail on a chalkboard when it passes through the guides. Tried it on both a graphite and a cane rod; no difference. Maybe one gets used to it, but I doubt it. BTW the Rajeff line uses a similar concept (lots of surface area) but costs less and does not make an ugly, irritating noise.
Tom Chandler | Mar 22, 2008 | Reply
Amusingly, when it flies through the guides, the Sharkskin sounds a *lot* like the braided silk lines (which you can still get, albeit at a price).
I think it fishes pretty well, though stripping streamers and casting all day can wear your finger raw.
Whether it comprehensively outfishes the Rio “Gold” line isn’t clear to me — I have a new Rio spooled, and plan to give it a bit more field testing soon.
Philip | Mar 22, 2008 | Reply
Good thought. it has been so many years since I fished with a silk line (I remember the first Air Cel Supreme…, and Gladding leaders) I can’t remember the sound. Maybe I’ll pretend! ’cause it’s a nice line otherwise.