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Cortland Sylk?
I'm looking for a line for my small stream rod. A Winston WT 8'3wt. I read some reviews on the Cortland Sylk line and they were good. It appeals to my traditional love of the old way too. I'm not sure of DT or WF though. Anybody have experience with this line?
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Dear Gramps,
I have never actually fished with Cortland Sylk line but I have cast it on a number of bamboo rods and found that it worked nicely on the rods I was casting.
I think you'll find that some people swear by Sylk and some people swear at it. My one buddy uses it a lot and really likes it on his bamboo rods. He uses mostly DT4 and DT5 weight rods and lines. He really likes it for winter fishing because the line has no memory and stays limp. I have heard other people complain that the line gets soft and sticky in warmer weather but he has never mentioned anything about that.
Best Wishes,
Avalon :D
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I have a DT5 Sylk I use on cane rods.
It has a smaller diameter than conventional line of the same line weight.
It casts well for me however it does not cast like real silk. At least the silk line I have cast.
Real silk loads a rod differently than Sylk..for me real silk has a comletely different feel than any line I had ever cast.
I think the silk line we cast at the DRC a few years ago was a 1 wt (it belonged to Les Young)...we cast it on a 2 wt and I believe a 4 wt rod. It loaded both rods nearly perfectly. I had the feeling it would load any rod weight that was close. The density and stiffness of it lent a whole different feel.
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In the reviews I read it did say it wasn't like real silk, but closer than any other synthetic line. One tester tried in on bamboo and glas and liked it. They he tried it on a Sage graphite and liked it even more. I would think it would feel good on any soft-med action rod which the Winston qualifies for. It would probably be great on an Orvis Superfine which they claim is close to bamboo action.
I've noticed coiling on the CFO reel i'm using now. I believe the sylk line will help that.
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I like theSylk line mostly for cold weather fishing. I thought it got sticky during the high heat and hunidity, but Cortland suggests washing it with mild soap and water, and drying well, and that will help with the stickiness. Haven't tried it yet (just found out) but will give that a whirl come springtime. You'll not find anything that looks like it either!! I'd give it a thumbs up, and recommend it.
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I agree with Jerry. I have 2 "Sylk" lines, a 5wt. and a
6 wt. both DT. I also have real silk lines.
If you are looking for something closer to "real silk" then our regular modern lines, "Sylk" can be a good choice.
But, if you buy it thinking it resembles "real silk", IMHO you may be disapointed.
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I have a 6 wt. "Sylk" line and it's ok. I much prefer real silk or I would probably have a higher opinion of Cortlands imitation. Actually, it's a good line.
Vic
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I didn't want to give the impression that I want a silk line. I don't. I just want to know how it compares to the other plastic lines on the market.
It appears to have no memory, and that's important to me with my small arbor reel. If it floats and cast good it's a bonus. It's supposed to have silk line taper, so i'm assuming it's sort of like a silk line more than other lines. It's smaller in diameter, so should shoot through the guides better and maybe be better in the wind.
Am I on track with these thoughts?
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Gramps:
I'm one of those who like Avalon says, "swear at it". It's limp and it's thinner than regular lines, I'll give it that but it doesn't float worth a lick and it stuck in my guides and didn't shoot well after I used it awhile. BTW I clean my lines after every use so it wasn't like I wasn't taking care of it.
I sold mine I hated so much.
If you want a nice limp line that will work well on your WT try a Rio Selective Trout. I use a DT3F on my Winston Retro with a CFO III and I really don't have any coil issues to speak of. The Selective Trout casts like a dream and unlike the SYLK, it floats high all day.
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I cannot tell the difference between Sylk and conventional lines and I have used it on my 3 wt. bamboo, graphite, and fiberglass. Ilike the baby poo color tho, yes I do. YEs, it has a smaller diameter and needs to be cleaned after usages, especially in hot weatheror else it gets really sticky.