I’ve been trying to find some type of info on this, but haven’t found anything that really helps … but I’m sure it’s here somewhere, just can’t find it.
When working with WFxF and WFxF/S lines, in the 5-8 weight range, how much of the fly line can be trimmed, on the tip end, of the fly line before it should be replaced? Is there a “rule of thumb” or standard on this?
Thx’s
Mike
Why are you trimming it???
I haven’t really needed to … yet. This was more of a “good to know” question, incase at some point I need to trim off some of tip for changing a leader or some other problem arising with the fly line tip.
Mike
Most manufactures claim 1 foot of “tip”. I once read an Al Campbell article about certain Wulff triangle lines (older) casting better with several feet cut off the front taper. Search his articles.
id say on a weight forward fly line that when you get to the big thick end of the taper youve gone just a little too far.
to eliminate the cutting of the fly line tie on a 12-18 inch long butt section and tie on your leader to that. should last you many many years.
or add a loop to loop connection.
thanks Normand, like the idea of the adding the butt section.
Mike
None!!!
When I first started fishing the Deschutes…basically the Salmonfly hatch …the guide recommended a WF line and cutting off…if I remember correctly …about 5 feet of the tip…so we could flip the flies right up to the the bank under the overhanging branches.
I couldn’t bare to cut any off of my “precious”:rolleyes: line so I never did…don’t know if it was a good idea or not???
Many people trim fly lines. A lot of Spey guys customize their lines to suit their casting styles and fishing tactics. Some will take sections of many different brands of lines and splice them together to suit their needs. Trimming line is not blasphemous. But you should have any understanding on what you are doing.
You can contact you line maker to find out the taper lengths of your lines. The level potion at the front taper is the “sacrificial tip.” The portion can generaly be removed without any perceived change in the lines flow. This removal can be from changing leaders, breaking leaders or your own personal reasons. If you cant remember or can’t find your lines taper measurments, you can usually see the taper change with careful inspection. After this point, energy transfer will generally be affected.
Some people like to over line a fast rod to load it quicker and slow its action. I prefer to use moderate to slow action rods. If I am fishing a situation where I need to load the rod fully for a quick powerful cast overlining does not suit my rods well, and buying lines new for this reason is expensive. I have found that cutting the front taper of an old WF line off I get a quick load with a short line that I can power heavy nymphs and streamers with. This is a specialized situation where casts are usually at the 20-30 ft mark and I will make less than 5 casts over 40 ft in a day. Again this is a specialized situation that I have customized my equipment to work for me in and not a rule of thumb.
Most line companies have spent top dollars to develope tapers that work in a broad range of situations. The rule of thumb would be to not mess with them. Use up your sacrificial tip and then buy a new line. But keep that old line greased and labeled for the day when you want to start playing with your own custon lines.
“When working with WFxF and WFxF/S lines, in the 5-8 weight range, how much of the fly line can be trimmed, on the tip end, of the fly line before it should be replaced? Is there a “rule of thumb” or standard on this?”
NONE
if you trim a line (I don’t know why you would want to) trim it from the reel end away from the taper