Are you running those silk lines on a graphite rod also?
If you are, how does it cast/feel?
I’ve always been curious about silk, but never been lucky enough to cast a rod with silk on it.
A silk should work fine on graphite if its at least a med action. I tried one on a Winston WT and it felt pretty good. They really shine on bamboo and glass though. I think the Hexagraph will be great with silk. You have to be prepared for more maintenance with silk, but with a good system it’s no big deal. A line winder makes it easier, but a lot of guys don’t use one. I like them. I’m lazy.
very cool,
i learn new stuff every day!
i think you’d be crazy if you didnt like a line winder :lol:
I’ve heard Cabela’s lines are made by Cortland. Is that accurate?
Jeff
maybe thats why i dont like them much.
I believe that Orvis Wonderline is made by SA, HOWEVER, they are made to Orvis specs…I have heard they (Orvis) are “coated”, not impregnated as the SA brand lines are. To me, it’s a no brainer…I buy SA. Whether or not my previous statement is correct or not, you really can’t go wrong with SA.
Mike
if everyone is going to SA why not just buy from them? 
[quote=“flyandtie”]
if everyone is going to SA why not just buy from them? :D[/quote]
If you want the Wullf TT taper you won’t get it from SA. As an example.
To the best of my knowledge (so take it for what it is worth) SA does make Orvis Line to Orvis Specs whish them have a patten on. I also Know that Rio did make a few lines for Orvis (floating) but not sure if it was just one particular line or more.
I will say, on a rod 4wt and lighter, you really out to check out Orvis SUPERFINE line. A smaller diameter line, slick, and soft. My favorite line next to SYLK. But then I prefer WF 10 to 1 over DT or TT although I do have a couple of rods that Love those tapers.
actually i think it is the superfine that i have for my 3-weight.
i like it alot.
it is a double taper, which i feel casts my 3wt way better.
fly goddess,
how do you like that SYLK line?
ive heard good things.
Pete, I do also fish a couple Wulff TT lines as well as a couple RIOs. I have never had a complaint about my SA, RIO or Wulff lines. I dress all with Zipcast.
Mike
Northern Sport makes a lot of private label fly lines as well as their own series of Aquanova lines
They’re a premium line at a fair price, normally between $15 and $30
I have four or five of them and they work fine for me
Orvis doesn’t make their own fly lines but if Orvis sells them, you can be sure they are top quality and probably top price. 8T
Then it is not the superfine. Superfine is WF only.
ok, i checked it is the wonderline not the superfine.
It wasn’t long ago Orvis spent a ton of money on equipment so they could put their own finish on their lines at their shop up east.
The core of modern fly lines is so specialized most manufacturers leave that aspect of manufacturing to a couple of companies that have the means to do that.
Orvis once spoke a lot about how they do there line coating in-house. I’ve been told by a couple people deep in the industry that Cortland makes a bulk of the cores for their competitors.
As for fly lines breaking down, I’ve not has a line crack in probably 15 years. I don’t use detergent on them and REFUSE to use stuff to treat them not specifically made for line dressing.
All of my Rio and SA lines seem as slick as the day I bought them. I’ll grant you, some are stained from the farm ponds I fish at times and from lawn casting but for functionality they all still work well.
To answer your question, the only manufacturers I know for sure make their own lines from core to coating in the U.S.A. are Rio, Scientific Anglers and Cortland.
Global Dorber is a sponser here at FAOL. THey sell the AquaNova lines.
When I asked Orivs this question a few years back I was told SA makes their line although Orvis puts their own coating on it. And as for Cabelas when I was there Saturdaya to replace the reel and line taken froom my checked airline baggage I was told SA makes all thier line although he admitted it was not of the quality of the SA lines.
Orvis does not make their own lines they are made by SA to Orvis specs. But Orvis does add an extra coating to the lines when they recieve them from SA. In some opinions this added slick coating does take away from the line durability. SA contracts out there older lines,(air cel supreme etc…), to overseas and only makes the newer types in the USA.
All the line companies get their cores from Cortland.
I was told this by a line rep who was at the BASS Pro in Alburn NY when I was there last month.
Someone commented on their line cracking after only 6 uses. My opinion on this is using the wrong “dressing”. He stated he dressed his line. You have to check with the manufacturer of your line on how to care for it. Some lines are only to be washed with MILD dishwashing soap not detergent and no dressing. the slickness is already in the line.
Using the wrong line cleaner or one of the slickening coatings may actually be damaging your lines. Some use automotive products to dress their lines a definit mistake. It may make your line feel slick but it may in the long run dry out the elastizers in the line ruining it. It’s like storing your plastic worms in the wrong type of container.
Tom