Interesting silk debate. Being somewhat new to fly fishing, I was not fishing back in the days when silk wat the only (or primary) choice.
I do shoot flintlock longrifles. I see the silk vs. plastic discussion in much the same as I see in hunting with muzzleloaders.
I like the tradition and the feel of the longrifles. I have shot exclusively muzzleloaders for the past 25 years and flintlocks for the last 15 years. Would Daniel Boone have used an AK-47 or an M-16, you bet, espeically if it gave him an advantage. However, today, I have a choice and I choose to shoot the old style rifles and enjoy a slower pace of life. There are some things the flintlock will do better but for most people, a modern rifle is a better choice.
The silk lines seem to be similar. There may be things silk does better and there are things plastic does better. Some will choose the traditional approach and leverage those things silk does better to their maximum benefit. For most of us in the unwashed masses, the modern plastic line is a better choice.
There’s something you miss with plastic lines. The silk lines make a beautiful singing noise going through the guides when you shoot line.
I’d miss that if I never heard it again.
I’d like to touch on the maintenance of silk who might think it’s a big deal. Here’s what I do.
At the end of the day I remove the reel and put it on the line dryer in the posted link. Most will be taking the reel off the rod anyway, so so far we’re even. I wind the line on the dryer running it through a dry cloth as I do it. Takes about 30 seconds. That’s it for that day. I leave it on the dryer overnight to dry. If i’m fishing the next day (usually) I put some Mucilin on my fingers and run the line through the Mucilin back on the reel. That’s it! The line floats all day. At the end of fishing that day repeat. Is that such a big deal? I don’t think so.
There’s something you miss with plastic lines. The silk lines make a beautiful singing noise going through the guides when you shoot line.
I’d miss that if I never heard it again.
I’d like to touch on the maintenance of silk who might think it’s a big deal. Here’s what I do.
At the end of the day I remove the reel and put it on the line dryer in the posted link. Most will be taking the reel off the rod anyway, so so far we’re even. I wind the line on the dryer running it through a dry cloth as I do it. Takes about 30 seconds. That’s it for that day. I leave it on the dryer overnight to dry. If i’m fishing the next day (usually) I put some Mucilin on my fingers and run the line through the Mucilin back on the reel. That’s it! The line floats all day. At the end of fishing that day repeat. Is that such a big deal? I don’t think so.
http://www.herndonrods.com/struble_line … ne_win.htm[/quote]
Gramps, that still does not justify (to me) 250 bones for a fly line. The wind cutting crap is just not that big of an advantage- (look at Rio’s Windcutter lines). Nor is the “singing of the line thru the guides”. I want to catch fish. Not look like I have a bamboo rod and silk line to look like a man of the world, or satisfy my ego. If you fish with just one certain weight rod and nothing else for all waters, great. But if you own a 3w, several 4’s 5’s 6’s are you going to tell me silk is the cats pajamas? Hell, I’d rather save my money (because the pvc lines of today are great and cheaper) and buy another rod or blank to satisfy my ego.
Pete, I don’t care if you own a silk line, or own a Leonard or Hexagraph or a Walmart special. You’re fly fishing and that’s ok by me.
There’s something you miss with plastic lines. The silk lines make a beautiful singing noise going through the guides when you shoot line.
I’d miss that if I never heard it again.
I’d like to touch on the maintenance of silk who might think it’s a big deal. Here’s what I do.
At the end of the day I remove the reel and put it on the line dryer in the posted link. Most will be taking the reel off the rod anyway, so so far we’re even. I wind the line on the dryer running it through a dry cloth as I do it. Takes about 30 seconds. That’s it for that day. I leave it on the dryer overnight to dry. If i’m fishing the next day (usually) I put some Mucilin on my fingers and run the line through the Mucilin back on the reel. That’s it! The line floats all day. At the end of fishing that day repeat. Is that such a big deal? I don’t think so.
http://www.herndonrods.com/struble_line … ne_win.htm[/quote]
Gramps, that still does not justify (to me) 250 bones for a fly line. The wind cutting crap is just not that big of an advantage- (look at Rio’s Windcutter lines). Nor is the “singing of the line thru the guides”. I want to catch fish. Not look like I have a bamboo rod and silk line to look like a man of the world, or satisfy my ego. If you fish with just one certain weight rod and nothing else for all waters, great. But if you own a 3w, several 4’s 5’s 6’s are you going to tell me silk is the cats pajamas? Hell, I’d rather save my money (because the pvc lines of today are great and cheaper) and buy another rod or blank to satisfy my ego.
Pete, I don’t care if you own a silk line, or own a Leonard or Hexagraph or a Walmart special. You’re fly fishing and that’s ok by me.[/quote]
Stop skirting around the issue Gramps. You’ve not been fly fishing that long and we all know it. You say at the first of your posts last November 2006, less than a year ago, you’re a newbee. You asked some pretty good questions and got some pretty good answers.
Now all of a sudden your an expert on silk line, bamboo rods (which you admited you’ve never owned one) You had a couple Scotts, wanted to get an Orvis Superfine, said you had a Winston or two, ordered a bamboo rod, didn’t like it, now it’s a Hexagraph and silk line. You seem to be a jack of all trades, and master of none. Sorry for being blunt, but it’s the truth.
Go back to being the old Gramps. Please. I enjoyed your earlier posting’s
Stop skirting around the issue Gramps. You’ve not been fly fishing that long and we all know it. You say at the first of your posts last November 2006, less than a year ago, you’re a newbee. You asked some pretty good questions and got some pretty good answers.
Now all of a sudden your an expert on silk line, bamboo rods (which you admited you’ve never owned one) You had a couple Scotts, wanted to get an Orvis Superfine, said you had a Winston or two, ordered a bamboo rod, didn’t like it, now it’s a Hexagraph and silk line. You seem to be a jack of all trades, and master of none. Sorry for being blunt, but it’s the truth.
Go back to being the old Gramps. Please. I enjoyed your earlier posting’s[/quote]
I was only repeating what’s written about silk, and what I experienced about it. I didn’t claim to be an expert. Never have, but some people think I am. It’s pretty well known that silk cast better in the wind and float higher than plastic. It doesn’t make it false because I say it. Do I need to fly fish for another 5 years before I can say it? It won’t change the facts.
For the record. I fish in a traditional style to do it like my gramps did it. No ego involved. I really don’t care what other people do. I only care if i’m making myself happy.
You didn’t like my snide answer to you. Even though you gave the same answer to another member? Funny. I was just showing you how it feels.
btw…I’ve had 3 bamboos and i’m close to buying another one.
This thread has really gone wrong for some of you. You should see the PM I got from FlyGoddess. All I did was mention the few advantages that silk line has, and you couldn’t accept it, so you get personal with me. I thought this forum was better than that?
Stop skirting around the issue Gramps. You’ve not been fly fishing that long and we all know it. You say at the first of your posts last November 2006, less than a year ago, you’re a newbee. You asked some pretty good questions and got some pretty good answers.
Now all of a sudden your an expert on silk line, bamboo rods (which you admited you’ve never owned one) You had a couple Scotts, wanted to get an Orvis Superfine, said you had a Winston or two, ordered a bamboo rod, didn’t like it, now it’s a Hexagraph and silk line. You seem to be a jack of all trades, and master of none. Sorry for being blunt, but it’s the truth.
Go back to being the old Gramps. Please. I enjoyed your earlier posting’s[/quote]
I was only repeating what’s written about silk, and what I experienced about it. I didn’t claim to be an expert. Never have, but some people think I am. It’s pretty well known that silk cast better in the wind and float higher than plastic. It doesn’t make it false because I say it. Do I need to fly fish for another 5 years before I can say it? It won’t change the facts.
For the record. I fish in a traditional style to do it like my gramps did it. No ego involved. I really don’t care what other people do. I only care if i’m making myself happy.
You didn’t like my snide answer to you. Even though you gave the same answer to another member? Funny. I was just showing you how it feels.
btw…I’ve had 3 bamboos and i’m close to buying another one.
This thread has really gone wrong for some of you. You should see the PM I got from FlyGoddess. All I did was mention the few advantages that silk line has, and you couldn’t accept it, so you get personal with me. I thought this forum was better than that?[/quote]
Good for you on another bamboo. Hope your fixed income can handle it.
That is beautiful! Tell ya what, I will send you some of those 30’s and 32’s and to heck with the peanut butter, go catch you dinner :lol: [/quote]
Be sure and put on your Tri-Focals first!
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