Cadno Silk and Custom Fly Lines

(Note: Please excuse all the links to the images. But with a five image limit per post, I didn't think there was a better solution for including them for your viewing.)

As much as I like my Phoenix silk line, they are pretty pricey, and getting a few line weights can add up in a hurry. So in December of 2011, I began exploring potential sources for less expensive quality silk lines. This exploration uncovered a "start-up" company in England that began producing silk lines only a few months prior. Being curious if anyone had any experience actually using these lines, last February I posted an inquiry requesting information. (http://classicflyrodforum.com/forum/...p?f=65&t=52749) Shortly after posting I received a private message from a gentleman by the name of Stuart Tod. Stuart is actually the gentleman that started the company, and he is making these lines under the name of Cadno Silk Lines.


In this message, Stuart kindly (and very generously) offered to send me a line for my use and trial. No strings attached. He also said to take my time and really get to know the line, instructing me to keep it for as long as it took for me to feel like I'd given the line a fair trial. All he wanted from me was the weight / taper I wanted him to send.


I hesitated at first, knowing "the test drive" sales tactic was being employed, and because I wasn't really sure of whether I should get a 3 weight to compare directly with my Phoenix line, or a different line weight to compliment what I already had. I eventually recognized that I had a couple 4 weight bamboo rods coming. So I contacted Stuart and told him I'd like a 4 weight DT line. He then offered to custom dye it (at no additional charge) so that the taper of the line would be one color and the belly of the line another color. I took him up on the offer and elected to use "straw" for the tapers (ends) and a dark green for the belly. (Currently there are three colors offered: straw, emerald green, and coffee.) The line arrived a short time later.


I have used the line a lot since receiving it, and ultimately I decided to keep it. I also wrote a brief review of the line (http://classicflyrodforum.com/forum/...p?f=65&t=54970) where-in I identified a few things of "concern", but in particular a coiling/stiffness issue. Shortly after posting that review, Stuart contacted me, and thanked me for my honest / candid feedback. This led to further discussions, and I expressed a few "ideas" that I had regarding silk lines, and in particular for silk lines in the ultralight line weights. (3 weight and under) Stuart's response was, "Tell me what you want, and I'll make it."


We exchanged a few emails discussing my ideas, and eventually Stuart began work on a custom 2 weight DT line, and a custom 3 weight DT line with an integrated leader. In other words, I'll only need to add tippet to the line (via a loop-loop), as the line actually tapers all the way down to where it basically replicates a furled thread leader. (Which is what I use on a silk line.)


The lines I had discussed with Stuart soon arrived, as well as a couple of "surprises". Here's an excerpt from the email that preceded their arrival.

"I have changed the silk I use, too, so you'll notice a very marked difference in suppleness to the line you already have. ..."

"I'm also building another line to your original specs to send over to you to compare side by side with the 'stiff' one. No charge - it's your comments that finally tipped me over the edge and made me address the stiff issue before it got too out of hand! It was hard to abandon nearly ?1000 worth of silk stock, (and replace it!) but the lines are much much better now...all part of the learning curve - all this knowledge that got lost in the 50's and 60's and I'm having to rediscover!"

In addition to the line mentioned, Stuart also sent an experimental 2 weight, that actually came out as a 1 weight. He was having difficulty getting the finish to adhere to such a thin tightly woven line (even with his vacuum impregnation process) so it didn't swell and get heavier as it should have.


The lines as packaged. (Left to Right) Two 3 weights, a 2 weight, and a 1 weight.
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/...r/DSS_2598.jpg

Close-up of tip diameters. (Left to Right) 3 weight, 2 weight, 3 weight with integrated leader, 1 weight. Tip section of a 2 weight PVC line across them for reference purposes.
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/...r/DSS_2599.jpg


So now, when all has been said and done, I have a total of five Cadno silk lines ranging from a 1 weight to a 4 weight. Speaking of which...


Stuart actually works to the NAACC designations, so they are designated by line diameter and not actual line weight. But they can be roughly "translated" to AFTMA standard line weights. (Here is a link to a chart for your reference: http://www.rodbuildingforum.com/inde...showtopic=6278) I've since weighed all the lines I have (the first 30 feet) to see where they actually fall according to the ASTMA weight standards. The four weight at 124 grains, and one of the three weights at 104 grains are well within their standard. The other 3 weight at 92 grains is just a little light to meet the lower limit of 94 grains for a 3 weight, but substantially above the 2 weight standard's upper limit of 86 grains. The two weight line (at 86 grains) is within its' standard. While the one weight line, at only 42 grains is well below the lower limit of its' standard. But the one weight really isn't a "finished line" so that probably isn't a fair statement, and it certainly isn't representative of the other lines I have in weight or finish. (For comparison, my Phoenix 3 weight line weighs in at 96 grains.)


As a matter of interest, the 3 weight with the integrated leader was weighed using two different methods to verify for accuracy. Since the "leader" section of the line is 6 feet in length, I first weighed the first six feet (10 grains) and then weighed the first thirty-six feet. (114 grains) Subtracting the weight of the leader portion of the line (10 grains) yields the 30 foot length weight to compare to the ASTMA standard. Which as you can see equated to 104 grains. I then weighed just the 30 foot section with the leader portion off the scale to one side, and the excess line off the scale to the other side. This also resulted in a weight of 104 grains.


Showing the weight of the integrated leader of the 3 weight.
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/...r/DSS_2605.jpg


Weight of Thirty-six feet of the 3 weight integrated leader line (6' integrated leader and 30' of line).
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/...r/DSS_2604.jpg


Same line as above with the leader off the scale to the left.
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/...r/DSS_2603.jpg


The other 3 weight on the scale.
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/...r/DSS_2602.jpg


The 2 weight on the scale.
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/...r/DSS_2608.jpg


As another point of curiosity/interest, I weighed my 6 foot furled thread leader to compare what it weighed with the integrated leader weight of the line. To my surprise, they are identical in weight, as they both register 10 grains on my scale.


The weight of the furled thread leader.
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/...r/DSS_2606.jpg


Having fished all these lines (except the 1 weight) now, I can enthusiastically recommend them to anyone interested in silk. I believe they are exceptional in their fishability, finish, and suppleness. The difference in how these new lines feel compared to the original line I initially received from Stuart is simply unbelievable. (See the photos below.) I still fully believe that the original line I received will "get there" with use. But the new Cadno lines are ready to go right out of the box. Just apply a quick dressing of Mucilin if you want the line to float.


The original 4 weight before being dressed.
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/...r/DSS_2412.jpg


The new and improved 3 weights before being dressed.
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/...r/DSS_2600.jpg


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/...r/DSS_2601.jpg


At this point in time, I am convinced that durability is the only "unknown" for the Cadno lines, and that will simply take the test of time to prove. Being that they've only been in production for less than a year, obviously the jury is still out on this aspect. But I see no reason why they won't last just as long as any other quality silk line. They also happen to have great loops woven into the ends, and are (at least for the moment) customizable in color, length, and taper.


I have nothing to gain by promoting Cadno silk lines. And the only reason I'm "promoting" them here is to provide some firsthand information that might be useful to the members of this forum seeking information on silk lines.


I'd be remiss if I didn't recognize (and applaud) the exceptional customer service and quality products that have been provided to me by a gentleman that is trying to make a name for himself. My hat is off to Stuart, and I wish him the very best of success in his venture. I will continue to look to him for future silk line needs/desires, and I encourage all of you that are considering a silk line to explore what he has to offer. Especially if you want some control over what you get, since (to my knowledge) he happens to be the only game in town if you'd like to do something custom. (http://www.cadnosilklines.com)


---David