3 wt line for mtn stream fishing

Baldy · 04-17-12, 02:34 PM

I just got a Sage 3 wt ll and am looking for a good 3 wt line for small stream fishing. Any of you blue line fishers give me some good advice? thanks in advance. Baldy, aka Slicktop.

HoochBuster · 04-17-12, 03:04 PM

I certainly wouldn't go with an expensive line, not too much casting. I love the rio mainstream line. Easy to cast and great for tight accurate casts. Although it doesn't happen often, once in a while when I have the opportunity I make a 40 ft or so cast on a small stream and it works great for that as well as short flip casts.
HoochBuster

Gaines'BowBum · 04-17-12, 03:04 PM

I'd say definitely something in a double taper since you'll only have 40 ft out of the rod at one time. When one end wears out, flip it around and you're good to go for another couple of seasons.

Also you may look at over-lining it by a weight. I have all of my small stream rods with 1 weight heavier to help load the rod with less line out of the tip top.

Baldy · 04-17-12, 03:13 PM

Yeah, the sage is actually a 2 wt and I am upping it up to a 3. I was also looking a double taper. Anybody ever use the cortland 333, it is inexpensive and comes in dt 3 wt?

_Cold_ · 04-17-12, 06:40 PM

If you can find it, I've found the Rio Pocket Water taper to be the best taper I've ever used for small stream ultralight fishing. I have a PW1F on my 1wt TFO Finesse, and it's outstanding.

fly on the wall · 04-18-12, 07:32 AM

I've always used the Cortland 333 for small creeks. The 3 weight double taper roll casts beautifully and loads quickly when you have enough room for a back cast. In fact, it's on my 9 ft 3 wgt for the Hooch. I've tried more expensive lines and weight forwards over the years but always go back to the 333. It's been a while since a purchased one, but I remember paying in the $40 range.
The line is very supple and I do, on occasion, get knots/tangles if I don't manage stripped line well. The finish/coating isn't quite up to a SA Mastery Series so cleaning and dressing is required a bit more often. The peach color of the line is unique and will start conversations on the water.
I just reversed my 333, this spring after about 4? years. Just like brand new out of the box.

The Ole Man · 04-18-12, 09:03 AM

Are you sure you aren't talking about Cortland 444 not 333 ? 444 Peach has been around for decades. 333 was Cortlands original coated line from the 50's and has never been Peach. It has always been green.

Btw--I am a big fan of the 444.

fly on the wall · 04-18-12, 09:21 AM

Ole Man, I stand corrected. I do fish the 444 peach DT 3 WGT. As you can tell, I'm also a fan.
The 444 matches beautifully with my Cortland GRX 7 foot 3 weight. I guess one day I should match it with Cortland reel.
Same endorsement of the 444 as the 333 except add about $15.

mnigro · 04-20-12, 09:08 AM

Orvis has their wonderline on sale. IMO, lines are lines until you get into higher weights and longer casts. For your application, most any DT line will do. I wouldn't go with sme generic or bottom level line when you can get a great line on closeout. Look around and see what you can find on clearance.

conner j · 04-20-12, 05:06 PM

Rio makes a great line, Personally I like the trout LT for slower action rods and dry fly presentations, however the Rio Gold is a great all purpose line in a 3 weight.

04-17-12, 02:34 PM	#1
Baldy Native Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 111	3 wt line for mtn stream fishing I just got a Sage 3 wt ll and am looking for a good 3 wt line for small stream fishing. Any of you blue line fishers give me some good advice? thanks in advance. Baldy, aka Slicktop.

04-17-12, 03:04 PM	#2
HoochBuster Native Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Johns Creek, Ga Posts: 639	I certainly wouldn't go with an expensive line, not too much casting. I love the rio mainstream line. Easy to cast and great for tight accurate casts. Although it doesn't happen often, once in a while when I have the opportunity I make a 40 ft or so cast on a small stream and it works great for that as well as short flip casts. HoochBuster __________________ You guys hear about Roscoe and that chocolate monkey???

04-17-12, 03:04 PM	#3
Gaines'BowBum Native Join Date: May 2006 Location: Gainesville Posts: 1,673	Something in a DT... I'd say definitely something in a double taper since you'll only have 40 ft out of the rod at one time. When one end wears out, flip it around and you're good to go for another couple of seasons. Also you may look at over-lining it by a weight. I have all of my small stream rods with 1 weight heavier to help load the rod with less line out of the tip top. __________________ "I like onion rings, pop tarts, jazz recorder, and fly fishing..." --Turd Furgeson Last edited by Gaines'BowBum; 04-17-12 at 03:07 PM. Reason: Stupid auto correct!!!

04-18-12, 07:32 AM	#6
fly on the wall Native Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: lawrenceville, ga Posts: 1,175	I've always used the Cortland 333 for small creeks. The 3 weight double taper roll casts beautifully and loads quickly when you have enough room for a back cast. In fact, it's on my 9 ft 3 wgt for the Hooch. I've tried more expensive lines and weight forwards over the years but always go back to the 333. It's been a while since a purchased one, but I remember paying in the $40 range. The line is very supple and I do, on occasion, get knots/tangles if I don't manage stripped line well. The finish/coating isn't quite up to a SA Mastery Series so cleaning and dressing is required a bit more often. The peach color of the line is unique and will start conversations on the water. I just reversed my 333, this spring after about 4? years. Just like brand new out of the box. __________________ "Somebody just back of you while you are fishing is as bad as someone looking over your shoulder while you write a letter to your girl." ~by Ernest Hemingway~

04-18-12, 09:21 AM	#8
fly on the wall Native Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: lawrenceville, ga Posts: 1,175	Ole Man, I stand corrected. I do fish the 444 peach DT 3 WGT. As you can tell, I'm also a fan. The 444 matches beautifully with my Cortland GRX 7 foot 3 weight. I guess one day I should match it with Cortland reel. Same endorsement of the 444 as the 333 except add about $15. __________________ "Somebody just back of you while you are fishing is as bad as someone looking over your shoulder while you write a letter to your girl." ~by Ernest Hemingway~

04-17-12, 03:13 PM	#4
Baldy Native Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 111	Yeah, the sage is actually a 2 wt and I am upping it up to a 3. I was also looking a double taper. Anybody ever use the cortland 333, it is inexpensive and comes in dt 3 wt?

04-17-12, 06:40 PM	#5
_Cold_ Native Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 400	If you can find it, I've found the Rio Pocket Water taper to be the best taper I've ever used for small stream ultralight fishing. I have a PW1F on my 1wt TFO Finesse, and it's outstanding.

04-18-12, 09:03 AM	#7
The Ole Man Chief Financial Officer, Past Director, Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Dec 1998 Location: NW Georgia Posts: 8,000	Are you sure you aren't talking about Cortland 444 not 333 ? 444 Peach has been around for decades. 333 was Cortlands original coated line from the 50's and has never been Peach. It has always been green. Btw--I am a big fan of the 444.

04-20-12, 09:08 AM	#9
mnigro Native Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 36	Orvis has their wonderline on sale. IMO, lines are lines until you get into higher weights and longer casts. For your application, most any DT line will do. I wouldn't go with sme generic or bottom level line when you can get a great line on closeout. Look around and see what you can find on clearance.

04-20-12, 05:06 PM	#10
conner j Native Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: acworth Posts: 588	Rio makes a great line, Personally I like the trout LT for slower action rods and dry fly presentations, however the Rio Gold is a great all purpose line in a 3 weight.

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