Using an old line

[melk]

Okay, my question is this - I have a new, in box Presidential Fly Line, by Shakespeare. I came across this the other day in a pile of equipment. The line has not seen sun, not unraveled with original stickers on it. This is a # 4330 sinking 6MH WF10S 30 yards. I figure it is equivalent to 6 weight now. Do I dare use this? I think if I uncoil it and then spool it I should be okay. Or will I?
Thanks for any input.
Mike

[Bugsy]

"WF10S" = weight forward, #10, sinking. Not sure how you arrive at this being a 6wt now.

If it's "new" enough to use this modern line designation (as opposed to "G2AF"), and it's not visibly deteriorated, then it should fish. I wouldn't expect it to perform like the top shelf lines you can get today, but it won't explode. Or if you think it is old enough to have vintage appeal on a resale, then that's another option.

[melk]

Thanks Bugsy. I got the 6 weight from the "6MH" designation. Hmmm, heavy line, but I'll give it a try. Vintage wise, is old enough to not have a zip code on the info!.
Mike

[Gandolf]

Hi Mike,

The coating may be a little dried out. I would go over it with fly line dressing before using it.

Regards,

Gandolf

[Uncle Jesse]

I still have the first line I bought a 7 wt. level Cortland, I was very good to clean and treat it after each use, it is still very useable, I think I bought it in 1968 or 69.