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.

Fly Lines for Testing
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.

[tags]fly fishing, fly line, sharkskin, scientific anglers, rio, Agent X, SFT[/tags]

Posted in fly fishing stuff.