6wt Line

[MTWFF]

Trouble deciding between Rio Grand and Gold WF 6wt. Any users or opinions?

Wayne

[steck]

The Grand is really a 7WF so your choice would depend upon the rod that you intend to use it on. I have fished both lines and really didn't care for either one of them, I am more of a GPX fan.

[whatfly]

For throwing large indicators rigs, I prefer the Grand. For dries and general stuff, the Gold (or the SA GPX) would be fine.

[Mike Thomas]

The Grand is realy a 6 and a half, not a seven. I love the Rio Grand on my fastish rod. In the wind, and with big flies it is outstanding. My grand is now nearly 3 seasons old and still floats high and handsome with no cracking or any obvious signs of wear. Have to say it is hard to find a lne that floats consistently, some floaters should realy be called hover or slow intermediates.
All the best.
Mike

[MTWFF]

May go with the Grand in a 5wt given the 1/2 wt heavy properties found with it. Just filling the new Nautilus FWX, will be riding a LOOP Evotec 6wt.

Wayne

[John_N]

Don't be scared off by the half weight heavier issue. Like Mike said, and with all due respect to Steck, it's not a 7, but a 6 1/2 technically. Ironically, the GPX is also a 6 1/2 and another of a handful of lines that have been made slightly heavier to load "modern" rods. I am a very big fan of the Grand and have that line in a number of weights, including on both of my 6 weight outfits. I have tried the GPX in a couple of weights over the years, and have always wound up going back to the Grand. As I understand it, they both have the same grain weight in the first 30 feet, but whether due to the taper or some other issue, I personally prefer the way the Grand loads the rod and casts, and I also find it to float better at the tip. In my opinion, for all but the very slowest of rods, you'd be disappointed dropping down to the Grand in the 5 weight, as you'd be underlining your rod, even with the extra "half" weight. Lines and rod actions are all a matter of personal preference of course, but I like the Grand on more than just "fast" rods. I like how they feel on my supposedly "medium fast" rods as well.

FWIW, I have not tried the Gold, so can't give any first hand commentary, though I have read a variety of issues with that particular line and problems with either tips sinking or the line wearing prematurely. In most cases that I remember, Rio was gracious about replacing them and there was some suggestion that it might have been an issue that has since been corrected by Rio.

[sagefisher]

Wayne,

I have been using the Rio Gold at the suggestion of Sage for my medium action ZXL. I also have used it on my medium fast actions where I will be mostly fishing dries or smaller nymphs.

Larry ---sagefisher---

[JohnScott]

Trouble deciding between Rio Grand and Gold WF 6wt. Any users or opinions?

Wayne

Several years ago when I got my Sage FLI 9' for 7 wt, which is a pretty fast rod, the shop recommended a Rio Grand. It was fine close in, but as soon as I got much line out it really bogged down the rod. Went to a standard weight line, a Rio Selective Trout, and the rod is a bit stiff in close but really works at 30-40' plus with big nymph rigs, which is what I got it for.

Like Steck said, it depends on the rod. If that LOOP Evotec isn't a kind of slow rod, a 5 wt Grand may well not be enough line - taking into account your casting style and what you are going to use the rod for, of course.

John

[MTWFF]

Am going with the Grand 6wt & the LOOP is a fast rod. Given that I fish big waters and droppers a lot, and shoot into the wind a fair amount the extra 1/2wt may help a bit in those areas. And in the smaller waters it will work quick loading.

Wayne