new fly line

[Fish Slayer]

Im kinda new to fly fishing and I would like to get a good steelhead line. I am trying not to spend very much(around $50 or less) but I would like to have one that is pretty easy to cast and works well. I was thinking about getting a sink tip line. Any suggestions you guys have will be greatly appriciated. Thanks in advance! :smile:

[Stew]

Take a look at the Cortland 444 lines. I think you'll find what you are looking for.
Hope this helps :smile:

[ 01-30-2004, 11:12 AM: Message edited by: Stew ]

[drbfish]

You can watch ebay for deals (becareful!!!!) or if you can spend more money, I like the Airflo tip system. But, it is just over $100. I like it cause I can use it for salmon, summer steelhead, winter steelhead, skating dries, etc.

[Airborne]

if your just starting out go to the cortland web site they often have deals at the factory store on their site most items are at least 50% off retail or a place called fortackle on line sells high-end factory seconds and or demos for $8.99 with free shipping, I have used their lines and have no complaints. hope this helps, not trying to knock the local dealers just trying to put out some overlooked deals. as for local shops River City in Beaverton is awesome as is the Owner Don. I buy there all the time.

[Steelie28]

Mastery Steelhead tapor. Love it. Have had multi-tipped lines and didn't like them due to the extra loops/knotts that must go thru the guides when you get a fish close for landing. The Mastery Steelhead role casts great.

Steelie28

[rob allen]

I agree with steelie28.. the SA steelhead taper is the best steelhead fly line i have ever cast. if you absolutely have to get down use a heavy fly..

[Ty]

SA is the only way to go,

Careful of mastery series lines, depending on wehat u want. The Ultra 4 lines are "true" to there line rating and Mastery series are "over weighted" lines for expert casters and fast action rods...

[ 01-30-2004, 10:41 PM: Message edited by: Stew ]

[Old Coot]

I'm on my second Cortland 444 SL 9 wt Salmon/Steelhead sinking head line. I think the sinking portion is about 24 feet. It is a marvelous line.

The first line hemorrhaged on a 15-minutes-from-the-ocean 36 lb chinook. In several places the core burst through the coating. I sent the line to Cortland with a polite note explaining that I expected that their line should be able to stand up to a good fish. Within a matter of days I received a letter of profuse apology, NOT a form letter. The following day, the mailman delivered a brand new line, a fistful of heavy discount coupons and a second letter of apology. I have taken a couple of dozen salmon with the new line, with no problems.

Cortland has my business for life.

[SSPey]

just gotta say that there are lots of very good lines on the market. I own every brand listed above, plus RIO, and they're all good. Cortland does not make "crap" lines, not at all, they've kept a high position in the industry for decades, not by making crap. SA Mastery series are not overweighted, only the GPX model. The SA Steelhead taper is a solid line, but you can get a Double Taper for less on ebay or a flyshop sale bin. Double taper lines are great for steelhead

[SSPey]

the orvis wonderlines were discontinued and the coating was reformulated/redesigned as the "wonderline advantage" after about 1 year because of serious cracking and sinking problems. There's a lot of rock bottom priced wonderlines on eBay. Buyer beware!!! You never know if you'll get a peach graemlins/applause.gif or a lemon graemlins/eek13.gif

[Ty]

I have had very bad experiences w/ all cotland lines that I have used. This may be due to that fact that when I use fly lines there are used to the max when guiding for salmon and trount in Alaska.

My first SA lines was actually the orvis wonder line, which I loved. Then with the advent to the new age of SA lines. I ahve both teh older Ultra 3 and mastery series lines. I alsow have >5 Rio lines which are great too. However, as far as durability and casting ease.

It is called AST, short for Advanced Shooting Technology. Nobody and I mean nobody has anything that compares for durability and the level of line performance for the price of the Ultra 4.

Mastery series SA lines are over rated, just talk to any SA rep. Ther are awlsome lines, but i find for long distance casting they are slightly heavy compared to Ultra 3 and 4 lines. The reps will also tell u that there favorite lines are Ultra 4 and it is very reasonably priced.

[Fish_N_Russ]

My only experience is with Cortland lines, they have always worked just fine with me and like someone else said you can buy them from their factory outlet store online for good savings.

As far as line types, ive always just used an intermediate line as its much easier to cast and mend than a sink tip or full sinking line (a tip I picked up from Dave McNeese when he had his shop in Salem). If you fish smaller waters (like I have) an int line and weighted fly will get down just fine...just mtcw
Russ