Re: Intermediate Fly Lines
From the Cortland web site:
TYPE .....CHARACTER .....SINK RATE (inch/second)
1 .......slow (intermediate) .1 1/4 - 1 3/4 ips
2 .......fast ........................2 1/2 - 3 ips
3 .......extra fast .............3 1/2 - 4 ips
4 .......super sinker ...........4 1/4 - 5 ips
5 .......super fast .............5 1/4 - 6 ips
6 .......extra super sinker ..6 1/4 - 7 ips
Re: Intermediate Fly Lines
Quote:
Originally Posted by ducksterman
I've always thought the Intermediate line [designated "I" on the box..for those of you from Rio Linda :P ] is actually a sinking line and has the slowest sink rate of all.
Well okay, I think my term "neutral" buoyancy is not exactly correct. If it was, it would suspend in the water without sinking, which of course it does sink, just not real fast, whatever that means. But I know I've heard intermediate lines as having a neutral density before. Like on [url=http://www.waderson.com/us/store/1423-444-Intermediate-Fly-Line--6wt.html:9ea1f]this[/url:9ea1f] website, it refers to the Cortland 444 Intermediate Fly Line as having a neutral density but also says it has a specific gravity of 1.06, so not exactly neutral.
However, I never thought that the Type I sinking line actually stood for I = Intermediate, but rather the Roman Numeral I even though I think the Type I is usually considered to be the intermediate line.
But, I don't really know for sure. Maybe someone else can clear this up for us.
You see Deezel, don't feel bad for not being sure. It isn't always clear cut. I don't think all the manufactures necessarily always use the some convention. You just have read what the manufacturer says the line does.
Re: Intermediate Fly Lines
With Cortland anyway...
I've seen both
WF 8 I ....( i as in intermediate)
and
WF 8 S -Type 1 Slow Sink
It really doen't matter what they call them... they sink.... slowly....
Sometimes it's too slow
Sometimes it's not slow enough
8)
Re: Intermediate Fly Lines
Dazwah,
What kind of fishing do you do down there? Sounds like you have a lot to choose from.
I?ve only used clear mono-core ones 8wt and up in SW. Since they?re clear, like Dudley, I?ve just used a straight shot of 12-20lb regular mono about 4-6? long. Any longer leader and the fly tends to ride up, which kinda defeats the purpose, so I[?d use a short one on any intermediate or sinker. I use an Albright knot to attach the leader (I?ve lost good fish when using other knots, when the leader cut through the soft mono-core.) I?ll put a short shock tippet of hard mono on if there are big fish around.
Pros- cuts through surface chop, less visible (mono-core), gets the fly down a little bit w/ or w/o weight. Waiting before retrieve gets it deeper so you can ?count down? to fish different depths, (w/i reason, esp. in still water). Could be perfect for fishing sub surface trout in still water, or clear SW flats 3-10 ? deep
Cons- harder to see, pick up and mend than a floater. Some mono-cores seem to get real kinky in cold weather. If you need to get deep, may not be enough, and may get you hung up if the water or rocks/coral/weed is under 2 feet deep.
I basically use a floater now. If I need to get down, I use a weighted fly, and that can take me down to 5? on a good day with a 9-12? leader (1/3 heavy butt 1/3 med mono 1/3 tippet) and no current. To go deep, I use a fast sink tip on a floating line from shore, or full sink from a boat.
The ability to mend a floater in current, and quickly pick up and reshoot line out weighs the advantages of an intermediate for the fishing I do (mostly wading).
peregrines
Re: Intermediate Fly Lines
Type I = Intermediate = 'Lake Line'
I've seen them called all 3 terms by different fly line companies, but what you want is a very slow sink rate, under 2 inches per second.
I bought clear intermediate line after watching Denny Rickard's videos on stillwater fishing, and I do like his 'cast and count down' method of fishing a lake 'top to bottom', starting with the top (zero count before you start stripping in your nymph). Brian Chan uses floating line with long leaders, and accomplishes the same thing. There are many ways to fish lakes with nymphs, which is one reason it's so fun. But my rules nowadays are (thanks to Rickards, Chan, Rowley, and lots of hours in my boat) are to consider, in order of importance:
Depth
Action
Pattern
Color
DANBOB
Re: Intermediate Fly Lines
I will be using it mainly in lakes, I think i will just stick to 8lb mono of around 6'. The line will only be used for streamers, I just wasnt sure what length to use, i kind of thought too long will be useless as the line is used to get the fly down. Thanks everyone for there responses.
Re: Intermediate Fly Lines
With WF-I in #7 thru #12 weights, most of the leaders are the AirFlo poly leaders; which are clear like the intermediates & have approximately the same sink rate. The tippet & bite tippet are usually fluorocarbon, otherwise full fluorocarbon tapered leaders or handmade fluorocarbonleaders are used, especially for tarpon fishing where the knots really have to be tied perfectly.....or else 8)
Re: Intermediate Fly Lines
I've been using Cortland Clear Camo (intermediate) since it came out a number of years ago. 6' of 6 or 8 lb flourocarbon is all I use. There's no need for a tapered leader in stillwater fishing when you use a sinking line.
I use streamers, buggers, nymphs and do a strip pause type of retrieve. Count down before you retrieve. If you're in shallow water, cast, let it sink for about 60 seconds. If you bring up lettuce or get snagged, count down 5 less seconds. By using this method you can find where the fish are.
Re: Intermediate Fly Lines
I always hear people say that there is no reason for using a tapered leader when fishing sinking lines. Why is that? I thought the reason for using a tapered leader was to turn over the fly. Regardless of what flies you use and how you fish, a good presentation starts with the fly hitting the water. When using clear intermediates the idea is to be somewhat stealthy. I find it hard to believe that a big fly and coils of leader material hitting the surface of 4 ft. of water will not spook the fish. Denny Rickards uses 12ft long leaders with his intermediate lines. I won't assume why he does it, but I can only guess that it isn't because of his sponsors. A straight shot of leader is good when using type II and denser lines, but that is because you should not be using them for shallow water and surface disturbance is not a problem.
Re: Intermediate Fly Lines
Loufly,
They catch fish that way, so they don't mess with success.