I will be picking up my first bamboo rod shorty. It is a 5/6 wt and I will be fishing mostly dries. I have a Cortland 444 classic line I can use with it but I thought I would ask those of you with more experience with bamboo what you would recommend.
Rocky
Sylk works great for me.
Jim
I have a 7 ft Battenkill 4wt. and I agree with Sylk. I also like the way Orvis Superfine loads up on it, but the Sylk is a little less money and works fantastic. Personally I prefer WF over DT or TT on my boo. Tried both but, the WF loads up much nicer.
What kind of Boo did you get?
I’ve heard wonderful things about the Sylk lines (as well as the SILK lines), but have yet to try them. The Cortland 444 seems to work well for me. I use a DT 6wt on my 9’ Monty, and it casts real nice. Course, now I’m gonna have whole bunch of rods to try out lines on, so I may be changing my opinion here shortly 
Regards,
Joe Martin
Salem, OR
Fly Goddess I am buying a Horrock’s Ibbotson “Beaverkill” from akalooker. It was just too hard to resist. This will be my first bamboo rod and I can’t wait to try it out. My next purchase ( I hope ) is going to be one of Chris McDowell’s Blitzen River Rod Company bamboo rods. With any luck I will have the money saved up and have the rod before next spring rolls around.
Rocky
I am not familiar with Chris McDowell’s Blitzen River Rod Company bamboo rods.
I have however heard of “H. I”. A little heavier bamboo, but from what I have read, put a heavier reel to balance it out and you will probably like it.
PhotoJoe - When you get your lot, I would be interested in purchasing one of your surplus rods. I sold and old Monty years ago and wish I still had it. I am looking for somthing that will throw a 7 or 8 wt line and be suited for larger flies.
I use Cortland 444 peach WF on an 8 ft Irish bamboo rod and am very happy with it. I have some vintage level silk lines that I experiment with and of course they do no perform like the new lines IMO. And then again, it all depends on the circumstance. Good luck, Jonezee
Dear Elkhunter,
You can do alot worse than Cortland 444 “Classic” on your bamboo rods.
It’s all I have ever used on mine and I have been happy with it. I have tried the Cortland Sylk and liked it as well, but I haven’t replaced a good old peach colored line with it yet.
Best Wishes,
Avalon 
I have never fished the Cortland 444 classic with bamboo yet but intend to make it my next fly line. I’ve heard good things about it and for what it’s worth, it’s John Gierach’s favorite line with boo, so you’ll be with some pretty good company.
As for the Cortland sylk lines, most people seem very pleased with their sylk lines but some people report having bad experiences. It seems that they do very well with cool conditions but not so well when the temps heat up a bit. I would still consider one if I planed to fish in a cool climate and and cold water.
My $.02 worth
FWIW, I’ve used the Sylk on my 3wt Montaque and was suprised how well it did even in a little wind. My local shop owner suggested it as a favorite of the guys in our area using Bamboo.
Dave
I have read the reports of Sylk getting a bit sticky when warm, but I use mine at work all the time and it is rock, sagebrush desert type heat and I have yet to notice this. In fact I don’t notice anything I Don’t like in the heat. Cold weather however, it comes off nice and straight with no memory and that is the biggest selling pont.
Thank you all for your replies. I just may give the sylk a try. But I will keep the cortland in reserve. I will actually try them both with the rod and see how each works.
Flygoddess I had heard about the problems in the heat. It sounds like we fish the same type of country. Rock, sagebrush, and desert heat. I do most of my fishing in Central and Eastern Oregon. Maybe the sticky problem is due to high humidity in some areas.
Rocky
FLYGODDESS,
I had considered the sylk when I went to buy a new line for my 4 wt boo this spring but knowing that I would also be using it for warm weather species when the trout fishing came to a halt in PA, I decided against it because of the problems some people were reporting of the line sticking to the guides. If Cortland ever gets the problem solved, or untill I can dedicate a line to trout only, I’ll be the first one in line to buy one. Until then, I’ll choose something else.
Hey, you gotta do what YOU feel is right. Sounds like you got it dialed in. Like I said, I switch between SYLK and Wonderline, but not cause of Sylk sticking. Besides I dress my line once a week. Find what works for you and stick with it.
TIGHT LINES.
Dear tea stick,
Fly lines are made of plastic. People get gummy in 95 degree heat and humidity. :lol:
I really don’t think you need to be scared of using Cortland Sylk during the lazy, hazy, crazy days of Summer. My buddy who lives here in PA uses it year round and hasn’t uttered a single complaint about it.
Best Wishes,
Avalon