Regarding fly lines...

[Prairieschooner]

On my rods I have fly lines by Rio, SA, Wulff, even one Orvis line. Even though I bought most of them either on sale or at close-out prices, they are all expensive lines. Recently I went looking for a bargain line for my new (to me) 2wt. I would have bought one from David at River Traditions but he doesn't offer a 2. I missed out on a close-out Orvis line (out of stock in 2wt). I checked ebay and found a FWF2 line from a Canadian seller in for $11 + $3 shipping. I figured, what's the worst that could happen? If it's junk I haven't wasted much more than the price of a nice lunch.

I have to say, the line casts great, floats well, and seems to perform as well as my expensive lines. Now, I realize I'm not casting very far with this line, so maybe a cheap line wouldn't perform as well on a bigger rod, but I gotta ask: what's the difference, and how do line companies get away with charging $80 to $100 for a fly line?

[Kaboom1]

Now, I realize I'm not casting very far with this line, so maybe a cheap line wouldn't perform as well on a bigger rod, but I gotta ask: what's the difference, and how do line companies get away with charging $80 to $100 for a fly line?

Because we are all dumb enough to buy into the hype.

Brad

[jszymczyk]

how do line companies get away with charging $80 to $100 for a fly line?

Because Fly Fishermen (as a whole) have willingly let themselves become great big suckers, and they will pay it!

[tailingloop]

I help operate a fly shop and have access to fly lines from the $12 Cortland Silverstream to the SA Sharkskin.

For the most part, the more you pay for a line the better it will perform. More expensive lines usually float better, shoot better, and are more durable. Many of the high end floating lines now have tip sections which float much better than less expensive lines.

For many anglers the performance benefits of an expensive line may never come into play. For someone who mostly fishes at close range and rarely shoots much line those slick coatings or bumpy surfaces on an expensive line may not be of much benefit.

The higher cost lines and specialty lines like SA Streamer Express or Rio Outbound often cost more to manufacture hence the increased cost.

It's up to each angler to decide what suits their need best. For many a low to mid price line is just fine.

I have access to just about any line I want. For a lot of may bass and panfish angling I use SA Air Cel floating and Cortland 333 sink tips. However after a couple of seasons those Air Cel lines are now behave like intermediate lines I typically use mid price lines like the Cortland 444 Classic in moving water because they float better than the less expensive lines. And I use expensive specialty lines when most appropriate for some types of angling scenarios like casting giant topwater flies to stripers or for saltwater fishing.


Most of the floating lines we sell in the shop range from about $35 to $50 with some lower and some higher priced lines.


Cheap lines in ultra light weights are pretty rare. Sales volume is small compared to 4 through 8 wt lines and manufacturers don't make them in their budget line ups. So yo need to find discounted discontinued lines.

Manufacturers charge $80-$100 for lines because people pay for them. If people stopped buying the demand would be gone and they will stop making them.


I also fish spinning, baitcasting, and conventional saltwater gear and I have found that even $80 flylines are less costly over time than changing out the mono that I spool those reels with. Good fly lines last years but I need to change out mOno several times a year and on some saltwater gear after each trip and sometimes during a trip on tuna outings.

[Royce]

I have some relatively expensive lines and some less expensive lines. With FLOATING lines, I've noticed the more expensive lines DO float better.

[bobbyg]

I'll fish any good line, if the price is right.
I prefer Cortland 444 Peach for the majority of the fishing locales I habituate.
Haven't bought a new line from a dealer in years. I see a good line for sale on Forums such as this, I buy it!
Normally at 50% of original cost or less. Have enough to last me for many, many years but if I see an Airflo Ridgeline Persimmon colored
line (made for the Japanese market) for sale I'll buy in a heartbeat......if the price is right!


Cheap lines are ok for a few outings or maybe a season but they won't hold up for the long run. (Original Aircel Supreme being an exception)


If you feel you have to pay $80 for a line go for it. I'll wait for a deal.
Others are correct, if you buy it they will sell it, at whatever the market will bear!!

[Fly Goddess]

Never understood the infatuation with Peach or maybe the three I had were a bad batch I have Rio, Air Flow, Orvis, SA. All are good lines but I use Sharkskin on all rods now. Last longer, shoots better, floats like a cork. Everything it claims it produces. I worked for Orvis for several years and just in the two grades they offered, Silver Label at $39. and the top of the line @ $59. (back then, $79 now) there was a major difference. Smoother coating, more supple and no memory.
I am a "you get what you pay for" girl.

[bobbyg]

Never understood the infatuation with Peach or maybe the three I had were a bad batch I have Rio, Air Flow, Orvis, SA. All are good lines but I use Sharkskin on all rods now. Last longer, shoots better, floats like a cork. Everything it claims it produces. I worked for Orvis for several years and just in the two grades they offered, Silver Label at $39. and the top of the line @ $59. (back then, $79 now) there was a major difference. Smoother coating, more supple and no memory.
I am a "you get what you pay for" girl.

Well, I'm thinking the Peach is probably not a good choice for medium-fast to fast graphite rods?
I think you'll find them excellent for bamboo and glass.

[Fly Goddess]

That is what I use. Glass is my main choice followed by Bamboo and I always fish a Medium action to full flex rod. Hate fast action other than tossing in to big winds with big flies.
As far as lines costing so much....5 years ago I was top sales associate and made top pay at $9. an hour. Now I am just an associate and started at $11. Wages go up, cost of merchandise goes up. Specialist to design these materials and tapers wages go up...on and on. I remember when gas was $0.59!!!!

[bobbyg]

Heck, you must be younger than me. I remember when it was .35 cents a gallon!!

I hate fast action also. Guess we can agree to disagree?

As stated, I just will not pay top dollar for a top of the line line. Line line, that somehow reads weird!


I'm not a cheapskate and will pay market value for a good bamboo or glass rod. Just don't pay it for a line when

I don't have to.