Choosing a Line

[trbillet]

I recently purchased an Orvis Superfine Full Flex 4.5 7ft 11in 4wt and was looking for opinions on what line would best suit this rod. I would solely be using this rod as a dry fly rod never needing extreme casting distance or power. I was looking at some of Cortland's 444 offerings, but I am not 100% sure what to get even among those line choices. I would however be willing to buy from any brand. I am super excited to get out and fish this rod once the weather warms up and dry fly fishing gets good again! Thanks!

 

[shortrod]

I would avoid any of the heavier than normal lines. Floating of coarse. The Cortland 444 peach lines are great. Orvis always pushed the weight forward lines but I like a double taper and they work fine with the Orvis rods. In the end, its just weight.

 

[Cougarbaby]

I would avoid any of the heavier than normal lines. Floating of coarse. The Cortland 444 peach lines are great. Orvis always pushed the weight forward lines but I like a double taper and they work fine with the Orvis rods. In the end, its just weight.

 

[Cougarbaby]

I have a DT Rio on my 8ft 6 ich 6 wt superfine and love it roll casts drys nicely and shoots streamers no problem

 

[TimMurphy]

I recently purchased an Orvis Superfine Full Flex 4.5 7ft 11in 4wt and was looking for opinions on what line would best suit this rod. I would solely be using this rod as a dry fly rod never needing extreme casting distance or power. I was looking at some of Cortland's 444 offerings, but I am not 100% sure what to get even among those line choices. I would however be willing to buy from any brand. I am super excited to get out and fish this rod once the weather warms up and dry fly fishing gets good again! Thanks!

Dear trbillet,

I agree with what shortrod said. Stick with a traditional line on that rod and avoid the new super lines that are usually over-weighted.

You are kind of close to me. If you are interested, I have a bunch of 4wt and even 3wt lines that you might want to try with that rod. All of them are traditional accurately weighted lines. Maybe we could meet up sometime and you could try them out on your rod?

Just not tomorrow, and not when it's cold and snotty, OK? 😉

Regards,

Tim Murphy 🙂

 

[Bamboozle]

I recently purchased an Orvis Superfine Full Flex 4.5 7ft 11in 4wt and was looking for opinions on what line would best suit this rod. I would solely be using this rod as a dry fly rod never needing extreme casting distance or power. I was looking at some of Cortland's 444 offerings, but I am not 100% sure what to get even among those line choices. I would however be willing to buy from any brand. I am super excited to get out and fish this rod once the weather warms up and dry fly fishing gets good again! Thanks!

That rod will be best suited to a true-to-weight fly line meaning a 4wt line that weighs 120 grains with a standard taper. If it was my rod, it would be a double taper line.

My go line for most of my trout rods which are similar in action is a SciAngler Mastery DT.

Other excellent choices are Cortland 444 Peach Double Taper, 406 Vintage Series Double Taper, Rio Lightline Double Taper, SciAngler Frequency Double Taper, Orvis Hydros Double Taper.

Enjoy your new rod!!

 

[KELORGO]

I've been itching to try the 406 Vintage Series Double Taper that Bamboozle mentioned above.

 

[Bamboozle]

I've been itching to try the 406 Vintage Series Double Taper that Bamboozle mentioned above.

It's a really nice line, made for 406 by SciAnglers and only 80" long in sizes 2 - 5 which is nice on small reels. At first glance it feels and looks similar to the Sci Anglers Mastery DT except it is shorter in total length but with longer tips and front & rear tapers.

For comparison, below are the specs on three DT4's; a 406 Vintage, Mastery DT and a 444 Peach:

406 Vintage DT
Tip: 22"
Front Taper: 8.0'
Belly: 60.3'
Rear Taper: 8.0'
Rear Tip: 22"

Mastery DT
Tip: 6"
Front Taper: 5.5'
Belly: 79'
Rear Taper: 5.5'
Rear Tip: 6"

444 Peach DT
Tip: 6"
Front Taper: 8.0'
Belly: 73'
Rear Taper: 8.0'
Rear Tip: 6"

YMMV - But I prefer the shortest front taper I can get which is ideal for close in fishing. That's why I am a fan of the SciAngler Mastery DT. I didn't include it, but the Rio Lightline DT also has a short front taper and at least half of it is my favorite color, white so I am anxious to try one this year.

 

[KELORGO]

Thanks for taking the time to put that post together, Bam. Great information!

 

[wildtrout2]

Anyone know if the RIO Mainstream Trout DT3F (0730884207492) is actually still available? I see that specific line listed on eBay, but I'm leary of trusting if it's the actual line they have advertised. I don't want to order it, only to find they sent me a different weight line. I'm always suspicious of online purchases.
That line delivers dry flies sooo nicely!

 

[Bamboozle]

Far Bank who now owns Rio lists the Mainstream Trout DT3F on their website so I assume it is a current product:

Mainstream Trout DT

Targeted to the overall needs of the average fly fisher.

farbank.com

You do realize that the Mainstream DT3 is 114 grains which is 14 grains heavier than a true-to-weight 3 weight line at 100 grains...

 

[wildtrout2]

Far Bank who now owns Rio lists the Mainstream Trout DT3F on their website so I assume it is a current product:

Mainstream Trout DT

Targeted to the overall needs of the average fly fisher.

farbank.com

You do realize that the Mainstream DT3 is 114 grains which is 14 grains heavier than a true-to-weight 3 weight line at 100 grains...

Thanks for the info. No, I wasn't aware of that. But, I've used it in the past and love the way it delivers dries with my 7' 3wt Imperial.

It roll casts beautifully as well.