Fly lines

[mmarkey]

This may be the wrong forum for this question but you casting instructors may know more about fly lines than all the rest since you are using them daily.

I presently am using Wonderline Advantage on my rod. I have several line floating and sink tip and another not wonderline but from orvis type II sinking. They are all seeming to be very coily lately. Up in New England where I'm from we would take all our lines off around the end of September and coil them very loosley and let them sit quietly till around mid April when fishing started up again. But her in the sunny south where trout fishing is an all year event you can't do that.

My question is. Are the lines coiling because of the cold weather fishing or is it some kind of line problem. If it is a line problem what would be a better choice?

What kind of lines do you use for casting school?

Should I remove the line and stretch it out perodically to remove any twists that may have collected because of flys twisting in current or the like?

These lines are all about one season old.
Any suggestions.
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Mike

[fish]

My experience tells me it is the cold temps. Just keep the line clean and give it a good stretch before casting it and all should be fine. I stretch my line before casting no matter the temps or situation. Only takes a miute or two and makes a world of difference.

[chuckwagon]

Sounds like you need a fish to staighten it out!

[Robert Hafner]

Fish hit it right on the nose. You also may want to try Scientific Anglers Mastery GPX line. It's designed to handle a variety of temps. But like Fish said no matter what, I'd stretch it no matter what line or temps.

[mmarkey]

Thanks guys. I always stretch my leader but never bothered to do the line. I'll give it a try.
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Mike

[Scott Swartz]

You inquired as to the line we use in our schools. At AFFS we use Scientific Anglers Mastery series. Some years ago we used Courtland 444 laser line. Whatever line you have, you will be pleased with the result of stretching your line this time of year. Sometimes you have to REALLY stretch it by standing on it and pulling up hard on both sides. Most fly line manufactures use a core under the PVC coating that can handle the broadest range of temperatures. With our temps at freezing we are at one of the extremes. You will likely fish that same line in August when it is 95 out and discover it tangles and seems too limp. We do ask a lot of our fly lines. If it is too bothersome you can get specialty lines to compensate for these conditions but stretching it should get you through our short winter season.
Scott Swartz

[Rocketroy]

mmarkey,Since my fishing involves hundreds of days,on these No. Ga. streams,loving the winter opportunities ..... with air temps. in the mid 20 degree/water temps.near mid 40,s,my coiled-line problems have been solved by placing the reel or reels on my floorboards,driving the 15 min.-2 hr.drive time to water! Bingo!,your fly line/leader thinks it is in Miami,and behaves! Not an endorsement,but the Cortland 444 line I use on my 5 wt.even after a 30+ min. walk-in when some line cooling occurs,will cast fine,if I simply false cast 30+ft.out with power,......effectively a dozen or so times, stretching the line/leader,while getting into the stroke! All lines are not equal,in their ability to handle cold,but once handled as above,all should perform well on the short distances,most Ga.trout waters demand!Also,stripping line off the reel,under resistance,onto the ground,thru a pad or cleaning kerchief is helpful,and quick also! Reel it back on under resistance, and you should see an improvement plus..... it,s clean! Now that your mind is tied up with these steps,don,t forget to don your waders, before stepping in the COOOOOOOL water! Regards to all, yu-all, Rocketroy of Clarkesville

[DAWGFISH]

Good advise from all the folks here. It's been my experience that the line that best handles cold weather is SA's XPS. Of coarse in real cold weather you still need to stretch it or store it in the cab like RocketRoy suggested(I have good luck with this also), but overall it handles cold weather the best. SA designed the XPS with a softer core and line compound and it really helps when it gets cooler. Lines that are close behind are SA's Trout and GPX, Sage Quiet Taper, the regurlar 444, and Wulf Triangle Taper. These all perform well in cooler weather, just not quite as good as the XPS. I have had a terrible time in cooler weather with 555, 444 Laserline, and the old Wonderline.

[This message has been edited by DAWGFISH (edited 02-04-2004).]

[Robert Hafner]

I agree with Dawgfish. I use Master XPS for all my trout applications and found it is the best for me in cold water. GPX would be ther line for all weather use.