williamnbenoit
New member
I have an Orvis 4 WT fly rod ... and an Orvis Presentation EXR II reel ... The line is cracked and needs replaced ... what is the best line I need to buy for dry fly fishing in small streams in Pennsylvania ?? ...
Four Weight Line
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gfenlikestolosepasswords
Member
Someone (Bamboozle?) had some really good information in a thread recently, but I'll be damned if I can find it; explaining why things like front taper length can make a big difference.
The short version is there is no best, there's only what works best for you. If your rod is too stiff, there's overweighted lines. There's lines with super long front tapers and lines with short front tapers. Some people like the textured lines, some do not. Some swear by WF tapers and some by DT. Etc.
I do know that his post brought up something I never thought about which is front taper. Some lines, especially "trout" lines or ones with words like "tactical" or "delicate" in them have entirely too long front tapers which can make casting rods, especially modern fast rods, too difficult at the distances we need.
So, the short version is any popular line by a major maker should be more than adequate, "best" for you is a moving target only you can hit.
I know the last line I bought was a Scientific Anglers' sourced line from a small company called 406 Lines. I know it's a quality line because of the maker with a specific set of requirements I wanted (thin diameter). So far it casts well in the grass, but I haven't been out to try it on the water yet.
The short version is there is no best, there's only what works best for you. If your rod is too stiff, there's overweighted lines. There's lines with super long front tapers and lines with short front tapers. Some people like the textured lines, some do not. Some swear by WF tapers and some by DT. Etc.
I do know that his post brought up something I never thought about which is front taper. Some lines, especially "trout" lines or ones with words like "tactical" or "delicate" in them have entirely too long front tapers which can make casting rods, especially modern fast rods, too difficult at the distances we need.
So, the short version is any popular line by a major maker should be more than adequate, "best" for you is a moving target only you can hit.
I know the last line I bought was a Scientific Anglers' sourced line from a small company called 406 Lines. I know it's a quality line because of the maker with a specific set of requirements I wanted (thin diameter). So far it casts well in the grass, but I haven't been out to try it on the water yet.
williamnbenoit
New member
I need to thank you soooooo much !! ... I will be using your information while I am shopping ...
dudemanspecial
Well-known member
I run double taper lines on all of my 3-5w rods. I currently have a Rio technical trout dt, a Cortland 444 peach DT, and a SA mastery DT and they all do the job for the waters I fish and I can't say I favor one over the other. If I was regularly fishing bigger water like the Delaware or going out west a lot I would probably get into the fancy weight forward tapers but for the 20 feet of line I have out 95% of the time this works just fine, and you get 2 lines for the price of 1.
Bamboozle
Well-known member
I concur with double taper recommendation...
If like you said, you are talking about "dry fly fishing in small streams in Pennsylvania," I heartily recommend the Sci Angler Mastery DT for a few reasons:
It is a true-to-weight/standard taper double taper fly line, the color ain't half bad, it is the SAME color AND taper on both ends and it has line loops on both ends which you can cut-off if you desire.
Most importantly (to me) it has a short front taper. That equates to requiring less fly line out past the tip top to get into the belly of the fly line and load your rod on the short casts usually the norm on small streams.
Of course you could over-line your rod to pull of the short casts, but at least with the rods I own it isn't necessary with the Mastery DT.
FWIW - Other than some vintage Rio "Classic" DT lines still in rotation and some real silk DT's I use, The only line spooled up on my trout outfits for waters big & small is the Mastery DT.
If like you said, you are talking about "dry fly fishing in small streams in Pennsylvania," I heartily recommend the Sci Angler Mastery DT for a few reasons:
It is a true-to-weight/standard taper double taper fly line, the color ain't half bad, it is the SAME color AND taper on both ends and it has line loops on both ends which you can cut-off if you desire.
Most importantly (to me) it has a short front taper. That equates to requiring less fly line out past the tip top to get into the belly of the fly line and load your rod on the short casts usually the norm on small streams.
Of course you could over-line your rod to pull of the short casts, but at least with the rods I own it isn't necessary with the Mastery DT.
FWIW - Other than some vintage Rio "Classic" DT lines still in rotation and some real silk DT's I use, The only line spooled up on my trout outfits for waters big & small is the Mastery DT.
NRD
Member
My preferred 4 WT is an Orvis Mid Flex. When I have space for a back cast, I prefer Rio Gold WF line. With a wall of vegetation to my back, Rio Grand rolls better. Matching lines to rods can drag you into a real swamp if you're an equipment oriented guy with sufficient budget : )
Having the perfect line match certainly isn't necessary for catching fish. For me, I feel it enhances my enjoyment of casting.
Having the perfect line match certainly isn't necessary for catching fish. For me, I feel it enhances my enjoyment of casting.
I use Cortland 444 peach double taper. But that may be from habit, not because of exhaustive research to find the best line.
But I do prefer double taper line to weight forward. DT seems to cast more smoothly. Weight forward lines seem to cast in a lumpy, clunky way, rather than the loop unfurling smoothly.
But I do prefer double taper line to weight forward. DT seems to cast more smoothly. Weight forward lines seem to cast in a lumpy, clunky way, rather than the loop unfurling smoothly.
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Kms
Well-known member
Barrio lines get good reviews and with free shipping are reasonably priced, though I can’t gauge the effect of the taco tariffs and dollar decline.
Shop | Barrio Fly Lines
Barrio Fly Lines: Designed in Scotland - cast with confidence all over the world.
www.flylineshop.com
Sharknado5
Active member
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2017
- Messages
- 139
I bought a Barrio intermediate sink line a couple years ago. It has zero memory. i was amazed.
6xAdams(Jones)
Well-known member
Bamboozle
Well-known member
That's about $52 bucks before currency conversion fees, but they show free shipping worldwide which is unbelievable if I'm not missing something.
wildtrout2
Well-known member
EchoRidgeElder
Active member
Cortland 444 in peach. Can't be it. Another vote for the 444.
