Trout Fly Line

[Dillo]

I had some Cabelas prestige plus 5wt line for a week and it has started cracking and the coating has split near the tip already. I talked to the customer service and they said they would refund it. I think I got a lemon but I still don't really want to go back to the same line, so I'm looking for the best line for the same price (40$)... Any suggestions? I want a good all- around line for dries and nymphs casting around 10-30 feet with an echo carbon rod. I want floating but not sure about wf or dt.

[flyfisher]

go with a WF and in that price range i am not real sure but i have heard good things about the Scientific anglers frequency series. 

[Dillo]

I see the rio mainstream for the same price. Any comments on my that? I hear good things about the company, what's this line like?

[flyfisher]

Rio makes good products for sure and i have used them for bass for many years.  

[Siebert Outdoors]

I've had Cortland 444 for years and it has not gone bad.  I agree with Flyfisher.  Go WF.

[chrisdm4]

I had Cabelas prestige 4wt and was not a fan at all.  I went to Orvis access line 4wt WF.  Started using it this spring.  casts great and stay afloat for a good amount of time.  I got the access line on sale for $50 so it was a no brainer to get that line.  

[flyfisher]

keep an eye out on www.sierratradingpost.com as well as they very often run really good sales on fly lines and you can pretty easily find a 30% of coupon too.

[gr8outdoorz]

Rio Mainstream is a good line for the price as is the Cortland 444. You should take a look also at Scientific Anglers Lefty Kreh's fly line. One of the limpest lines at that price point.

 

The problem with inexpensive lines is the coating on them . It tends to peel & crack when used in less than ideal conditions (ie. too hot or cold).

 

Before I started using high end lines, I had numerous rods lined with Rio Mainstream and SA Lefty Kreh lines. The Rio was good but just a hare stiff in cold weather and tended to coil bad when temps dipped below 40°. I really liked the Lefty Kreh lines though. They remained supple in both hot & cold environments. If you don't want to spend $$$ on lines, do as flyfisher said. That is a good place for good lines at good prices when they go on sale. Also check out steepandcheap.com. When the have their fly fishing sections, they offer big discounts on lines.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

It doesn't pay to cheap out on fly line. You can get a decent line for $40 all the suggestions above are good. 

[Dillo]

The rio mainstream line sounds good, but it is very heavy. My carbon rod is a pretty moderate action, so loading isn't much of a problem. Would it be good to buy the 4(165 head weight) or even the 3 weight (140 head weight)?

[gr8outdoorz]

The rio mainstream line sounds good, but it is very heavy. My carbon rod is a pretty moderate action, so loading isn't much of a problem. Would it be good to buy the 4(165 head weight) or even the 3 weight (140 head weight)?

It's hard to tell without casting the rod. They all have their 'sweet spot' in relation to grain weight. My 'general' rule of thumb is:

For fast action rods; 150gr/5wt, 200gr/6wt, 250gr/7wt, etc...

For moderate action- subtract 10-20gr.

These are only general guidelines. Every rod is different and only time & experience with that rod and different weight lines will tell you what weight it throws best.

Between those two grain weight, if i had to choose, i would go with the 165gr. If it's slightly too heavy for the rod, just don't get all of the head outside the rod tip when casting. That will keep the weight you are casting down.

[notevenanibble]

keep an eye out on www.sierratradingpost.com as well as they very often run really good sales on fly lines and you can pretty easily find a 30% of coupon too.

there's a seller on Ebay called Crystal River Flyshop and also Leland Fly Company that have some great deals if you follow them closely. I bought some Rio Gold WF4W for $60 a few weeks ago.

[Kevin22]

I had some Cabelas prestige plus 5wt line for a week and it has started cracking and the coating has split near the tip already. I talked to the customer service and they said they would refund it. I think I got a lemon but I still don't really want to go back to the same line, so I'm looking for the best line for the same price (40$)... Any suggestions? I want a good all- around line for dries and nymphs casting around 10-30 feet with an echo carbon rod. I want floating but not sure about wf or dt.

 

 

I had that same line on my 3wt all last year (in wf3), was very nice for a budget line! I would recommend it to anyone. I think you just got a bad one, it happens with all lines. Might try ordering it online (its always on sale in bargain cave) or buying at another store. 

 

Otherwise go for rio, their budget line is 2nd best IMO. 

[Dillo]

I got some rio mainstream in 5 wt. I took some backyard casts and it feels awesome. Shoots pretty well and has almost no memory (toward the back it does from being strung up tight) and is very is pretty durable from my experience (no scratches or cracks from fences, rocks and trees). I took it out today on a small stream, but could only roll cast due to a rediculous amount of trees and pedestrians behind me. Floated pretty well, only sunk in the really strong broken currents.