Fly Line Profiles Again

[Wildfisher]

What do you use? After using ?fashionable?  WTF profile for a number of years, I have gone back to DT  for floaters (still use WTF for sinkers) -  HOWEVER, I still believe WTF are easier to cast over a wider range of conditions (if more likely to present your flies like a hod of breeze blocks). I definitely now believe you need several lines, different lines for different situations. For example ? WTF are better in awkward winds (not an uncommon feature in bonny Scotchland).

Also - are DT lines better suited to softer action / through action rods than the more modern fast action tippy designs?

What do ya think?

[Fishtales]

I use a WF floater all the time.

What is a WTF? What The F**k

A weight forward is just a double taper with a long running line attached, just like a shooting head only neater. The only advantage of a double taper over a weight forward is that when you wear out one end you can reverse it so you get two weight forward lines for the price of one.

Short lining with a weight forward is no different than with a double taper as you are using the same piece of line on both i.e. the front taper and the belly.

The only time I use a DT is salmon fishing because it is easier to spey cast a lot of line with the DT than the WF and it is easier to mend line although I have done it with WF lines as well.

Why should there be a difference on any rod, you are only casting with the same piece of line on the DT as you are on the WF, unless you are aerialising more line with the DT which is overloading the rod and the same can be achieved by going up a weight on the WF, which I do when punching line into a gale I go from a #7 to a #8

[Wildfisher]

I can?t agree with that Sandy. I prefer the DT but it definitely performs differently from the WF regardless of how much line I have out.  I believe though that  in an awkward  wind the WF if better. This is something I have tested by swapping  lines on a few occasions. The whole feel of the WF is different, its like casting with a weight, In addition, the DT is far better for delicate presentation, especially at longer line lengths. I would go one step further and say that for fishing small burns, a LEVEL line is best due to the very short line lengths normally used. I doubt if you even get them now.

[Fishtales]

It has been a while since I used a DT line but I can't see how they can 'feel' different. The weight of the line is the same in both lines, the WF line just loads the rod quicker and if you go too far then you are on the running line and the cast collapses. With the DT line you can get away with this as the belly of the line is longer, but again the rod will be overloaded. In what way do you find the DT better than the WF for delicate presentation? I can cast 20+ yards to a rising fish with a dry fly and, sometimes, catch it, if the presentation wasn't delicate then I wouldn't catch any of them. I fished a small burn with a #7 WF and my 10' rod and never cast once, I didn't need to I just pulled out enough line to keep me away from the fly and let the line drift down in front of me, I could have done the same with a spinning rod and nylon I have a small 7' cane rod that takes a #5 line. The only time I use this line is if I want to cast distance, for close work, i.e. within 10 yards, I use a #7 line because I am not using enough of the #5 to load the rod but the shorter length of the #7 does, whether it is DT line or a WF wouldn't make any difference.

[Wildfisher]

By delicate, I mean that the  DT line turns over ?better?  that the WF.  Perhaps this is subjective, but then so are many aspects of fishing. I read a bit in one of the mags by Stan Headley a year or so back just about this very thing. That and a try of Allan?s  B+W with a #5 DT  last year convinced me the  set up was far more delicate. But as I say, sometimes in more ?wild weather?  conditions a heavier rod and  a WF line is easier to use. It?s good to get your take on this, that is why I asked  :lol:  , hopefully we  will get a few other views on it.

[Fishtales]

I suppose what could make a difference is the length of the front taper. I can't remember but I think the front taper on a DT is longer than on a WF. I don't see the difference as I use an Airflo braided leader on the end and then the cast which lengthens the taper by a fair bit.

I use my 'heavy' setup on glassy flat calms, with not a sign of a ripple, without any bother what so ever