morayfisher
Trust Member
The GT90 is the only line I’ve cast to the backing, once, whilst practicing, not fishing.
Probably couldn’t do it again
Understanding Fly Lines
- Thread starter tangled
- Start date
Probably couldn’t do it again
tangled
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2015
- Messages
- 5,089
Ok, this is the sort of stuff I hoped we'd get into...
Perceived wisdom was that a DT line was best for roll casting - at least I've seen and heard that said a few times - so I was expecting the longer belly GT90 would be better at roll casting. Need a reset here.
Perceived wisdom was that a DT line was best for roll casting - at least I've seen and heard that said a few times - so I was expecting the longer belly GT90 would be better at roll casting. Need a reset here.
tangled
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2015
- Messages
- 5,089
A few other opinions here
“ Brant Oswald—Livington, Montana-based guide and writer: I’m delighted to respond to this one, as some of these issues with line tapers are things I discuss with guide clients and casting students all the time.
For me, the chief advantage of a double taper is that the long belly allows longer roll casts and line mends. With weight-forward lines, once the belly of the line is past the rod tip, the caster can’t impart enough energy to the running line to turn over the belly. Of course, this is the basic advantage of a weight-forward for overhead casting—to carry a shorter line in the air and shoot line for additional distance. But it limits the length of roll casts and mends, and it also means that if a caster does want to carry a longer line in the air, a haul will be required to maintain a stable loop.”
midcurrent.com
“ Brant Oswald—Livington, Montana-based guide and writer: I’m delighted to respond to this one, as some of these issues with line tapers are things I discuss with guide clients and casting students all the time.
For me, the chief advantage of a double taper is that the long belly allows longer roll casts and line mends. With weight-forward lines, once the belly of the line is past the rod tip, the caster can’t impart enough energy to the running line to turn over the belly. Of course, this is the basic advantage of a weight-forward for overhead casting—to carry a shorter line in the air and shoot line for additional distance. But it limits the length of roll casts and mends, and it also means that if a caster does want to carry a longer line in the air, a haul will be required to maintain a stable loop.”
Why Fish Double-Taper Fly Lines? | MidCurrent
midcurrent.com
andygrey
Well-known member
I think this depends if you are shooting line or not. Shooting heads and skagits etc. are regarded as the choice for distance for speys (which are essentially roll casts). A DT would be a better option if you were roll casting a long fixed length of line.
3lbgrayling
Well-known member
I found the SLX one of the best stillwater boat lines ive ever used. effortless distance.via overhead casts.
Jim
tangled
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2015
- Messages
- 5,089
So, if for example you're wade fishing a river, across and down in the norther spider fashion, not retrieving line after the drift has finished, just circle C from the dangle and roll cast out, we're in DT/WF territory?
But if we need to chuck it further by retrieving and shooting line on the roll it's more the SLX semi-shooting head style you're after?
But if we need to chuck it further by retrieving and shooting line on the roll it's more the SLX semi-shooting head style you're after?
I think this is going to be one of the problems with trying to do a 'broad brush' guide to fly lines - people are going to have very different opinions of the same line and what's best for any given application.
James
lavo85
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2010
- Messages
- 1,067
Wide elastic band, write what the line is.
ohanzee
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 7, 2010
- Messages
- 41,783
I think many would consider a WF as semi shooting head, is it sensible to split WF's into short heavy ones to carry a short line and shoot/long heads for carrying?
You also need to include the Arrowhead/Triangle tapers.
morayfisher
Trust Member
And what is the difference between a triangle taper and a spey taper?
When I first heard the term “triangle taper” my first thought was that it might be triangular in cross section with three tiny points of contact through the rings
When I first heard the term “triangle taper” my first thought was that it might be triangular in cross section with three tiny points of contact through the rings
ohanzee
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 7, 2010
- Messages
- 41,783
And what is the difference between a triangle taper and a spey taper?
When I first heard the term “triangle taper” my first thought was that it might be triangular in cross section with three tiny points of contact through the rings
No idea what a 'spey taper' is but Wulff do a 'Triangle spey taper'...just to make it proper complicated....looks like a spey taper has a very short rear taper, quite precise head of line to work with which sounds right on function...no scope to lengthen a V loop for a hauled long single spey to the horizon though.
One of my greatest bug bears has been laid to rest though, forum members are actually talking about line profiles!
tangled
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2015
- Messages
- 5,089
But getting nowhere. Contradictions all over the place and no way I can see of resolving them.
ohanzee
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 7, 2010
- Messages
- 41,783
Its the nature of a thing that needs untangled, I think far simpler than previous understanding threads.
tangled
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2015
- Messages
- 5,089
So to get back to basics, in principle a totally flat line could be made that weighed 140 grains for the first 30 feet and is therefore a #5. Why is that a poorer idea than a DT, WF and SH #5? And in what circumstances?
3lbgrayling
Well-known member
aenoon
Well-known member
taffy1
Well-known member
That was my conclusion.
andygrey
Well-known member
Having cast quote a few of his lines against quite a few other manufactures options, I'd say that subjectively the Arrowhead are pretty true to stated rating.
Also I think the name 'Arrowhead' was used to describe the loop shape that you can get with them rather than the profile?
Some interesting thoughts from Michael Evans' website here:- http://www.michaelevans.co.uk/advice/choosing-line/
Plus a simpler explanation...
Last edited:
PaulD
Well-known member
When I started it was easily possible to obtain 'level' lines , you still can get level silk lines.
The simple explanation to your question is transfer of energy - far more efficient with a taper, leading to an acceptable presentation, than with a level line.
