Superior Floating Fly Line?

[jifigz]

Is there a superior floating fly line? All other attributes aside, do you think that there is a fly line on the market that simply floats better than the others?

 

[beerbyrnes]

yes, especially over time. keep them clean and they will float well enough. the fancy textured lines seem to ride high.

http://www.ginkandgasoline.com/fly-fishing-tips-technique/how-to-get-new-fly-line-for-5-or-pretty-close/

 

[jifigz]

Lol...I know that keeping a line clean will increase its buoyancy and increase flotation. I did enjoy the article though, but my question is do you think that there is a fly line that floats the best. Disregard line care and other factors that arise during the life of the fly line. Right out of the gates, do you feel a line has superior float-ability. If so, what product is it?

 

[beerbyrnes]

SA Sharkskin.

 

[krayfish2]

The line taper that I think casts best is Rio Gold. With that said (and I hate to admit it), Sharkskin is superior in flotation to anything I've used. If you can get past the sound and it chewing up your fingers, it does float like a cork. Line mending is fantastic, very low memory so it feeds out the guides like a champ. I'm not a huge fan of the sound or having bloody fingers at the end of the day but it's performance was good enough for me to load up with a new spool for the upcoming season.

I'm not familiar with their textured mastery series so I can't tell you if it performs quite the same. I'd imagine it's close and a few buck cheaper.

 

[jifigz]

I've never fished Sharkskin, but maybe I'll have to give it a try. The only SA line I've ever used is good old cheap Air-Cel. A line with that much texture sounds strange to handle.

 

[RCFetter]

I don't have an answer but your question is interesting.

Here's a survey that says Scientific Anglers Mastery Series Trout Fly Line is the best dry fly line and RIO Gold is the best floating line.

In the Loop Fly Line Reviews

 

[krayfish2]

Even when cleaned and 'dressed', the Gold doesn't go out the guides like Sharkskin. It almost seems stick in comparison. I do love the way Gold casts but if you're going to throw a cast and then shake a bunch of line out the rod tip, Sharkskin does it better. Mending way out, again a winner for Sharkskin. Pleasure to cast and probably a little better at distance, Gold. Both are pretty durable.

If you get over my way jifigz, you can compare them side by side. I have reels loaded with both lines.

 

[tridentfly]

Unquestionably, the new Airflo Super-Dri lines float higher than any other line I've fished.

I'm a big fan of, and use Sharkskin on a regular basis (because it's such a great line to cast), but it does not float well.

 

[AkDan76]

I have two sharkskins one fished one day the other nib I'd gladly swap.

Chewed up beyond belief is more like it for me! I spend to many hours fishing to run these lines.

I've had great luck with sa mastery lines. I recently bought two new rios, they're both boxed and ready to go back to rio. One was sinking on day one. The 2nd didn't last past day 2 before they needed flotant! I should have known better.

It will be interesting to see what Orvis really does with sa. I've already found lines I like and use discontinued so the advertisement about no changes is crapola!

 

[jifigz]

AkDan76 wrote:
I have two sharkskins one fished one day the other nib I'd gladly swap.

Chewed up beyond belief is more like it for me! I spend to many hours fishing to run these lines.

I've had great luck with sa mastery lines. I recently bought two new rios, they're both boxed and ready to go back to rio. One was sinking on day one. The 2nd didn't last past day 2 before they needed flotant! I should have known better.

It will be interesting to see what Orvis really does with sa. I've already found lines I like and use discontinued so the advertisement about no changes is crapola!

I was unaware that Orvis acquired SA.....not that I really care, but that is news to me.

 

[allan_s]

SA already made the lines for Orvis, orvis just put their own finish on it. So I would have to say if anything changes it would be Orvis branded lines should show a large improvement as not only will they share SA tapers, but maybe the coating as well.

I picked up some sharkskin lines for 30 dollars on closeout. I just wrap a small piece of duct tape on my stripping finger to avoid the burn. They really do cast fantastic and the thing I like about them the most is how well you can mend them, it really is different then any other line that I have used.

 

[AkDan76]

the one thing I noticed was the absorbant amount of SA lines missing from the line up. I don't think that was SA's doing...though the write up says Sa is still running its side of the house.

Its a real shame they didn't keep Ross, the Gunnison was a fine reel!

 

[JG63]

The best fly line in the world is the one you have on your reel while fishing -

 

[jifigz]

Which for me is usually a cheaper line that still casts great and catches fish.

JG63 wrote:
The best fly line in the world is the one you have on your reel while fishing -