Which fly line?

[KB280DT]

I have received my Greys GRXi 5/6 reel yesterday from the post office to go with the 4pce stealth 5/6wt that I got a short while a go

Now comes the dilemma of lines. Although I would like to fill all 4 spools with backing and flyline- the budget won't allow it, so I am looking at getting a floating and intermediate line for now. I'm obviously not that accomplished ito casting, etc. etc. so to buy a top of the range fly line would be a waste in my opinion.

There's the Rio Mainstream range which suits my budget and then there's the Airflo Tactical range - I see the latter has a clear floating line.

Which of these two lines would you guys recommend?

[Scythe]

Airflo Tactical has been superseded by the Airflo Velocity and at R250 it's hard to beat.

Don't overline, so for the 5/6 combo rod ... get the 6 WT line.

[KB280DT]

Thanks Scythe. I am planning on getting the #6 line in both floating and intermediate. Just need to decide whether it's going to be the Rio or the Airflo line

[Scythe]

For intermediate ... Airflo Fast Glass 6th Sense Intermediate @ 1.5IPS in 6WT.

Once you go 6th Sense core, you'll never want another intermediate or sinking line, it's super sensitive to even subtle or soft takes and the non stretch/low stretch core is excellent for deep penetrating strip strikes.

[jock0]

Nothing wrong with the cortland fairplay floaters if you're just starting out. Many guys use them on the vaal, even though there are plenty better lines out there, purely due to their cost.

[Andre]

I don't like clear intermediates. I find that they have a lot of memory due to the monofilament core. I would far prefer to go with a braided core intermediate, but then it won't be clear. perhaps a slightly faster sink, like a DI3, might give you more versatility until you are accustomed to fishing in a shallow water colum. Just my thought, but then hey, I'm strange, so don't pay too much attention....

[KB280DT]

Thanks André. I'm not too bothered with the intermediate being clear at all - a clear floating line would be nice though

I think that I must make a turn at Eikendal and have a look at their lines and maybe at Somerset Sport in Somerset West as well - the latter had a bit of stock of the Rio Mainstream lines - can't remember if they had the Airflo range.

[Andre]

Thanks André. I'm not too bothered with the intermediate being clear at all - a clear floating line would be nice though

I think that I must make a turn at Eikendal and have a look at their lines and maybe at Somerset Sport in Somerset West as well - the latter had a bit of stock of the Rio Mainstream lines - can't remember if they had the Airflo range.

A clear floating line is exactly what you don't want. Reason, much of the floating line applications, rely heavilly on being able to see the line, and clear line would limit this ability. Intermediates come in a clear option, due to the application to fish close to the surface, in clear water that is penetrated by sunlight, thus the theory behind it, is that it is less intrusive to the fish. A clear floater, would anyway be just as visible to a fish from undernrath, as an opaque line, as it still throws a shadow, and produces a sillouhette, so the requirement for a clear floater is moot. Besides, I don't think I have ever seen a clear floater, and don't know if anyone makes them, even if they did, that's as far as I would go...just to look at it, I wouldn't even come close to considering buying it.

[jock0]

A clear floating line is exactly what you don't want. Reason, much of the floating line applications, rely heavilly on being able to see the line, and clear line would limit this ability. Intermediates come in a clear option, due to the application to fish close to the surface, in clear water that is penetrated by sunlight, thus the theory behind it, is that it is less intrusive to the fish. A clear floater, would anyway be just as visible to a fish from undernrath, as an opaque line, as it still throws a shadow, and produces a sillouhette, so the requirement for a clear floater is moot. Besides, I don't think I have ever seen a clear floater, and don't know if anyone makes them, even if they did, that's as far as I would go...just to look at it, I wouldn't even come close to considering buying it.

Airflo and monic have clear floaters as far as I know, but I agree with your point RE the shadows, silhouettes, line flash when casting etc.

[KB280DT]

Thanks for pointing that out André - never thought of it that way.

I've seen the Airflo Clear Floating line on StreamX's product list

Here's the link:

http://www.streamxflyfishing.co.za/FlyFishingTackle.htm

There they have the following line:

Line Airflo Tactical Clear WF6 F Int #