J. Castwell & All: I heard a rumor that companies are going to phase out double taper lines. Anyone heard anything on the subject?
Why?
A lot of companies seem to be slimming down their DT selection, but I can’t imagine anyone getting rid of them completely. Flyshops definitely aren’t carrying as many.
Would you be willing to state just ‘who’ it was that told you this? He must have been sure of his facts and willing to back them up. Who said it? Or was he just spreading bs to make himself look big?
I certainly hope the DTs remain. I fish them almost exclusively, and I love the finesse and handling characteristics.
I suppose the WF lines are a better match to the fast action rods being mass-produced today, but for those of us who prefer a softer, smoother approach and presentation, the choices seem to be increasingly limited.
In a sense that is true. I don’t think you’ll see an announcement coming from a manufacturer that they will no longer be producing them…but the pressure at the retail level is driving the market towards the single taper lines. Why?
OK this is my own personal opinion gained from working in the angling retail business for a while… so I won’t have a pile of data I can produce, but think about it… First off, it’s way more profitable to sell WF lines. To keep up with the time I can get out of a DT line, I would have to buy two WF lines. Thats double the profit. It’s not hard to convince a retailer to push the WF lines and convince the public to accept that they are the better choice…when in fact they probably are not. For the beginner caster who wants the most distance with the least amount of casting skill…the WF is the way to go.
I fish rivers 80% of the time. I don’t need to worry about champion distance casts. Most of the fish caught are right there in front of me.
I fish DT lines exclusively, though I do have a WF line that I HAD to buy because it was an emergency purchase and the shop didn’t carry DT lines…and I am seeing that situation more and more. I should have walked out but I needed it at the time. Now I just walk away if they don’t have them or I ask them to order them in for me. I get a lot more milage from the DT and I can handle the line a lot easier for roll casting, mending, nymphing…what ever. You won’t get me to give them up.
Lastly… It’s way more profitable to sell WF lines!!!
what year was the article published???
I have no clue, sorry. Bad research on my part.
Joseph
While I can’t comment with any knowledge on the subject I could believe it. Down-locking reel seats went the way of the dinosaurs.
BUT…
I have a hard time believing that DT’s; of which there is typically is only one or two variants within a maker; are selling less than some of the super specialty tapers out there. It seems Rio & Sci Anglers have a taper for every possible situation in various colors. Do some of these super special lines sell better than say a Sci Anglers Trout DT or a Rio Classic DT?
I for one prefer down locking reel seats on fiberglass or bamboo rods with click & pawl Hardy reels and double taper lines.
Call me: “almost out of choices”.
Call me whatever, but I think they will make what the market wants. Most new guys like a WF because they can cast it better. More experienced anglers may prefer the DT for various conditions. If there is a market for the DT’s, I find it hard to think they will ‘phase out’ them.
Struble still has the down locking Ring & Cap seats. I love 'em. 
Re: "Lastly… It’s way more profitable to sell WF lines!!! "
Ayup. So it’s obvious why both the fly manufacturers and the fly shops would prefer to sell WF lines rather than DT lines. But if one or two of the manufacturers quit making DT lines, that would mean an opportunity for other manufacturers who continue making DT lines to grab some market share. Because I think there are still plenty of people (like me) who want DT lines.
So I doubt that manufacturers will quit making DT lines. They might like to, but I think they are sort of stuck making that economical option. Because if they don’t, their competitors will, and will take away some of their customers.
I’d like to see MORE DT choices from SA…I’d also very much like to see an AST SA LEVEL Line…But I fear the DT’s are going the same route as the almost impossible to find Level line…Pure BS in my book to give up the ghost on either of these great line types…But…I’m just a joe shmo…so my opinions, matter not. While we’re wishing in this hand…How bout a 7’6" 7wt. Med. Action Rod, For in the other!!! :? 
It strikes me that so many folks …at least on this website…say that their fishing is done at 30-35’…why would any of them[you] want to fish anything but a DT?..
For the times when they might need to make a really long cast? I was on the shore of Yellowstone Lake, the fish were rising out at about 85 feet from shore. I was using a three weight rod. Happened to have a WF3F line on it. I caught several cutts on a dry fly. I don’t think I could have reached them with a DT. And, you can get more backing on a reel when you use a WF line too.
My gut says not a chance, if for nothing other than the basic business reasoning already stated by troutbert, and…
…the world would seem funny without a 444 “peach” DT, and…
…even silk lines continue to be made for what must be an extremely small market, and…
…SA, RIO, and Cortland currently offer the DT in multiple series.
Not to belittle their usefulness in some situations, I think the demise of the level line was predictable. Just like their tapered siblings, level lines still required a core and coating as well as packaging and markup for dealer…and they sold for what?..about 1/2 the price of tapered lines??
Moments like that make me want some lessons.
JJ - a bum sometimes limited by casting :shock:
Good point for those that may find themselves on bigger water. I also think we could consider that some WFs have front tapers that are unique and not found in DTs. In such case, even “close combat” anglers might go for the WF for its presentation value alone.
But for the guys/gals that exclusively fish smaller waters, I think ducksterman says it good.
Not if you cut the DT in half :lol:
In regards to the “manufacturers make more money on WF lines” theory; I got a question for the experienced DT users out there. I exclude myself because I am fairly new to DT’s and haven’t yet got to the reversing point since I’m easy on my fly lines.
A guru from Sci Anglers once explained the reasoning for the lack of a welded loop on the Sci Angler DT lines that offer the “Streamlined Loop”. He said that Sci Anglers DIDN’T put them on both ends because "most fly fisherman DON’T reverse their DT’s.
While I guess it could be true I was surprised at the comment.
So, DO you experienced DT users flip 'em or just buy a new line.