Line Suggestion for Steelhead

[dizzy fisherman]

I own a single handed 8wt with a Ross reel and I'm looking for a good all around line. I haven't fly fished much for steelhead and would like to know if there is one line that will work well for me under most circumstances. I think right now I have a type 4 sinking line. Would I be better off changing to a weight forward floating line or a faster/slower sinking line???? Any suggestions and explanations would be helpful.

Thanks

[Sturgeon]

I use a weight foward line for several reasons. I like to skate my flies on the surface and a float line helps to keep my fly up and visible. I also have some holes where this skating action does not produce so I add a split shot and strike indicater and mend a few exstra, allows the fly to get down deep. you can dry fly fish with a floating line you can skate your fly with a floating line and you can nymph with a floating line. I would recomend a floating because I feel it is more versitile.

[Yeti]

It really depends on the type of fishing you do. If you only indicator fish then a good WF Floater would be fine. I use the SA Steelheada lines and the Rio Salmon/Steelhead line. I like the color of the SA line better.

If you fish all styles at various times choose a quad tip for your one and only line. You can add tips of any density as well as fish a floater with a bobber.

[C-lice]

I would go with a Wulff Triangle Taper. If you want to fish deep, use heavy flies and a long leader.

[TubeFly]

Rio Versi-tip would cover it all in one package great line for just about everything and all occasions.

[dizzy fisherman]

I wouldn't be doing much fishing with an indicator. I would mainly be swinging weighted flies. There's been some recommendations already, and I'm curious as to what price range I would be looking at.

[C-lice]

The Triangle Taper is about $60.00. I have also done well with a Cortland 555 Rocket Taper weight-forward floater, but I like the Triangle Taper better. It roll casts heavy flies better.

[Wiggley1]

Rio Versi-tip cost around $130.00.

I got a WFF line with some weighted line that I cut to 2 different lengthes. I glued a loop tip on for fast connections. I find myself skating more and adding lead more that I use the sinking tips. This cost the price of the WFF line. For a few tip loops and some weighted line, that was about 15 bucks.

When I get good and learn more, I'll think about going to Expensive tip kits.

[Djflyfish]

Rio Versi-tip cost around $130.00.

I got a WFF line with some weighted line that I cut to 2 different lengthes. I glued a loop tip on for fast connections. I find myself skating more and adding lead more that I use the sinking tips. This cost the price of the WFF line. For a few tip loops and some weighted line, that was about 15 bucks.

When I get good and learn more, I'll think about going to Expensive tip kits.


I use the orvis wonderline with the 3 multi tips that are 10-15 ft long. All three tips are at diffirent sink rates pending on the water you will be fishing. It is a great setup

[dizzy fisherman]

I like the idea of the Rio Versi Tip, but $130 is more than I want to spend.

[SSPey]

then make your own.

spend $10 on a cheap WF8 floating line(used, eBay, whatever), cut off the front taper (~ 10'), and install a braided loops to both cut ends. You can re-attach the floating tip for a full floating line. For sinktips, buy a level 12' section of RIO T-8 to make a fast sinktip. It will cover most circumstances if you vary the fly from unweighted to weighted. Later you can get other Type 3 or Type 6 tips as needed to fish shallower places. You should be able to pull this off for $30.

[Stonedfish]

Cabelas sells a multi-tip line for $89.99. I was told in the past it was made by Airflo, but can't verify that. It does have 12' tips, just like the Airflo Multi Tip lines do.

[buckbullkiller]

are we talking winter or summer??

[sothereiwas]

I'm with SSpey on this one, most of the tips that come with a multi tip line you wont use. You could get some Rio T-8 make three different length tips and be set. I think it is much easier to control a shorter heavier tip then a lighter longer one. I fish 10 or 12ft of CCT-200, which is from Airflo and is kind spendy 90% of the time. I never throw anything over 12ft. CCT-200 is 10grains a foot, and comes in a 20ft section with welded loops at both ends. Perfect for making a 8ft and 12ft tip.

Brad

[TubeFly]

Lots of good stuff here. I originally recommended the Versi-tip because it can be used in some configuration to accomodate any piece of water fresh or salt. It does cost some but when you think about it you are getting five different lines for the price of one with no need for extra spools and it even comes in it's own tip wallet. Now I myself use various lengths of home cut braided loop ended T-14 for much of my winter fishing in order to get to where I want but I have been playing with this stuff for years and have things fairly dialed as far as how I like to fish, but I gained this knowledge by using the Versi-Tip system. In the Spring and early summer I am using the Versi-tip strictly, this accomodates water level fluctuations on a daily basis. So that being said in this day and age with all the options and taking into consideration someone just getting into it, it can get very overwelmed with all the stuff out there. So again for someone just getting into it who doesn't want to just start cutting up lines for experimentation as that can really start costing big bucks, one purchase five lines, one doesn't work or hangs bottom fast, quick change and you are fishing again with a line the same length as the others not real difficult to get used to etc. After some (lots of) experience I would then think about setting yourself up with the hybrid type systems developed by yourself for your home waters but the Versi-tip will give you the fishable experience without the frustration right out of the chute that will help you figure out what weights do work best for where you want to fish. Also take into account that with the Versi-Tip you can also use the floating line and indicator fish if swinging isn't working out that day, hybrid systems don't give you that option. There is a lot of good information in this thread I wish this kind of thing was around when I cold have used the info. :)

[Wiggley1]

then make your own.

spend $10 on a cheap WF8 floating line(used, eBay, whatever), cut off the front taper (~ 10'), and install a braided loops to both cut ends. You can re-attach the floating tip for a full floating line. For sinktips, buy a level 12' section of RIO T-8 to make a fast sinktip. It will cover most circumstances if you vary the fly from unweighted to weighted. Later you can get other Type 3 or Type 6 tips as needed to fish shallower places. You should be able to pull this off for $30.

I like that idea, so I should cut the taper huh, dang, I glued my braided loop to the end of my 444 line without cutting the taper. Is cutting the taper back so you can cast better?

[sothereiwas]

Yep exactly, there isn't enough mass in the tip of a floating line to then turn over a sink tip very well. You could go one step further and put a braided loop on the floating tip you cut off, and still fish it as a floating line. I wont cast quite as nice, but its always nice to have the option.

Brad

[dirtyCut]

I like that idea posted by SSpey - seems like a pretty good option for me, being tight on fundage. Going to give that a try.

KC