Shadow Fly Lines - How are they?

[Bamboozle]

The similarity between Scientific Anglers "Mastery" fly lines is only in the name and packaging. Within the product range, the lines weights range from true-to-weight to as much as 2 sizes heavier.

In addition, only ONE of the lines of the 14 in the Mastery range has what I would describe as a "traditional taper." In other words, line tapers & weights that compare to the old benchmark 444 Peach DT or WF.

Those tapers and weights USED to be (and still are to many) all that was needed until rod manufacturers stated mislabeling rods so people hung up on line weights could sleep. Then to perpetuate that farce, the fly line manufacturers decided to mislabel the weights of their products and offer as many choices as Frito Lay.

In the "olden" days, it was safe to say you would feel no difference between a DT and a WF when casting about 30 feet of line. However today, most line manufacturers tweak their "regular" weight forward line tapers by adding one or more additional tapers to the belly to move the weight distribution slightly forward.

While it's not necessarily a bad thing, it is safe to say that TODAY, you WILL feel a difference between a DT and WF from the same manufacture in the same product line when casting 30 feet of line...

All of this doesn't mean folks won't like the heavy or aggressively tapered lines on their particular rods, it just means you have to compare apples to apples if you are considering switching from something traditional like a 444 Peach. In other words, it ain't just the weight, it is also the taper.

FWIW - Of the true to weight lines in the Mastery range, ONLY the Mastery DT still maintains a traditional taper. That's what me and my trout rods like so it is the only Mastery line I use.

 

[nymphingmaniac]

I couldn't think of an alliteration for FairPlay. That's all I had this morning.
Maybe FairPlay fanatic? 😆

 

[bigjohn358]

This "Peach" thats being talked about....is that the Cortland 444? I HATED that line also! Maybe I had a bad pack but the stupid WFF line basically sunk right out of the box. I got a warranty pack from Cortland and sold it to someone else. I think I run a $15 DT line on that rod that I loved so much I have 2 spares waiting for when it wears out! Now are all these cheap lines great? Nope! But I take my chances and 4 out of 5 times or even more I'm impressed with cheap lines!

 

[jifigz]

This "Peach" thats being talked about....is that the Cortland 444? I HATED that line also! Maybe I had a bad pack but the stupid WFF line basically sunk right out of the box. I got a warranty pack from Cortland and sold it to someone else. I think I run a $15 DT line on that rod that I loved so much I have 2 spares waiting for when it wears out! Now are all these cheap lines great? Nope! But I take my chances and 4 out of 5 times or even more I'm impressed with cheap lines!

Yes, Peach is 444. And I used to love it, but my last peach basically sank right out of the box, too.

I couldn't think of an alliteration for FairPlay. That's all I had this morning.
Maybe FairPlay fanatic? 😆

I have been fishing that blue 8 weight Fairplay line for almost a decade. It still fishes great.

 

[jifigz]

The similarity between Scientific Anglers "Mastery" fly lines is only in the name and packaging. Within the product range, the lines weights range from true-to-weight to as much as 2 sizes heavier.

In addition, only ONE of the lines of the 14 in the Mastery range has what I would describe as a "traditional taper." In other words, line tapers & weights that compare to the old benchmark 444 Peach DT or WF.

Those tapers and weights USED to be (and still are to many) all that was needed until rod manufacturers stated mislabeling rods so people hung up on line weights could sleep. Then to perpetuate that farce, the fly line manufacturers decided to mislabel the weights of their products and offer as many choices as Frito Lay.

In the "olden" days, it was safe to say you would feel no difference between a DT and a WF when casting about 30 feet of line. However today, most line manufacturers tweak their "regular" weight forward line tapers by adding one or more additional tapers to the belly to move the weight distribution slightly forward.

While it's not necessarily a bad thing, it is safe to say that TODAY, you WILL feel a difference between a DT and WF from the same manufacture in the same product line when casting 30 feet of line...

All of this doesn't mean folks won't like the heavy or aggressively tapered lines on their particular rods, it just means you have to compare apples to apples if you are considering switching from something traditional like a 444 Peach. In other words, it ain't just the weight, it is also the taper.

FWIW - Of the true to weight lines in the Mastery range, ONLY the Mastery DT still maintains a traditional taper. That's what me and my trout rods like so it is the only Mastery line I use.

While I made sure I bought a true-to-weight SA Mastery, the head is almost twice as long on it as the peach that I'm used to, whatever that means.

Once again, I don't want bogged down with specifics. I just want to fish, and do so simply.

 

[JeffK]

BTW, I sometimes like a level line for fishing streamers in tight spaces since without the taper they load up without much line out. They are difficult to find these days. The cheapest lines always used to be the Fairplay level lines.

 

[Bamboozle]

While I made sure I bought a true-to-weight SA Mastery, the head is almost twice as long on it as the peach that I'm used to, whatever that means.

Once again, I don't want bogged down with specifics. I just want to fish, and do so simply.

Not to bog you down with specifics but...

If you bought a true-to-weight Mastery WF line, I assume it was either the Mastery Trout Standard or the Mastery Trout.

The Mastery Trout Standard has about a 52 foot head with two belly tapers and the greater portion of the weight biased toward the front 20 feet. It has a front taper of around 10 feet.

The Mastery Trout has about a 60 foot head with two belly tapers but less of the overall head weight biased toward the front 20 feet. It has a front taper slightly greater than 10 feet.

A Cortland 444 Peach has a 32 foot head consisting of an 8 foot front taper, a 20 foot level belly or head and a 4 foot rear taper.

So when NOT over-lining...

Due to the taper differences and head length, the 444 should be the superior line for casting in close because of the shorter front taper and head. On longer casts, it is a matter of knowing the sweet spot where the back taper meets the running line and shooting line.

Any delicacy problems with the shorter front taper and belly can be overcome with a longer leader and less line speed.

Because of the much longer heads/bellies on the two Mastery lines and the longer front tapers, they shouldn't load a rod as well in close as a 444. The Mastery Trout Standard with its weight distribution toward the front of the head is probably better than the Mastery Trout on short casts, but neither would load a rod with less line in play as easily as a 444.

This shouldn't as much of an issue on longer casts and delicacy should be superior to a 444 because of the longer front tapers, and head. With these lines a caster can aerialize more fly line allowing the cast to be presented more gently with the Mastery Trout being the more delicate of the two.

For casters who never get past 40 feet or are not comfortable with hauling and shooting line, the two Mastery Lines are probably easier to cast and more forgiving than a 444 WF or even a DT on a more moderate action rod.

When you factor in all of this stuff, it's no wonder a lot of folks just over-line rods, because it is easier than analyzing line tapers and the effect of those tapers on rod performance at different casting distances.

The bottom line is, it really depends on the rod action you like and performance you expect doing the type of fishing you do.

However, in my book, knowledge beats and is cheaper than trial and error... 😉

 

[scs]

I know there are a lot more people on here with more experience than me, but I like the Shadow line as a true to weight, all purpose do everything line. With that being said, I have SA Amplitude Bass line for my 7wt and RIO Avid Bass for my 6wt. Just like the heavier lines to get the bass flies out there

Steve

 

[Millsertime]

Tim,

Oftentimes, I would agree with you. However, I have had quite a few cheap fly lines that have sucked so bad that it made fly fishing unenjoyable. One was from Risen quite a few years ago. I hate to talk bad on that line since Ryan is a member here, even if we haven't see him for a while, but that line SUCKED. I also bought a Piscifun line off of Amazon one time that sucked royally. I have had some Cortland Fairplays and Scientific Angler AirCel lines that were great, though, and they are cheap.

I don't think I need a specialty fly line such as a "streamer" line or "Dry fly line," but I don't think all lines are of the same quality. Seriously, my last two Peaches have sucked BADDD.

I bought the Scientific Angler Air cel off Amazon back in 2016. WF4. It was the worst fly line I've ever used. Amazing that there was that much difference between the previous Rio Gold on that rod and the Scientific Angler Air Cel. I paid $22 for the Air Cel. I'm not opposed to cheap and/or Chinese but that fly line sucked.

Side note....I'm off to go install my new chinese carburetor for my generator now. 🤣

 

[falcon]

@Bamboozle did a excellent description of the attributes of different fly line tapers and matching the best line for the fishing / casting situation. I use different fly lines for different waters (smaller vs large) lines that present small flies vs lines that turn over larger flies. For many it can be confusing but if you understand the differences it is to your advantage.