In trying to replace a few older fly lines, I have discovered that many of the major brands of fly lines now have eliminated the double taper fly line from their high end floating lines. For example, Scientific Anglers does not make a GPX double taper, and RIO does not make a Gold or Grand double taper. I wonder if this is for marketing reasons (i.e., can’t reverse a WF line so you have to replace the line twice as often) or for some other reason. I personally prefer a DT for several reasons:
Permits longer roll casts than a WF with its shorter belly
In making longer casts (longer than the WF belly) I don’t have lighter running line trying to turn over the heavier belly
The aforementioned economy of reversing a DT when the tip wears out.
Do others share my regret about the diminishing availability of the DT?
After spending a considerable amount of time online, I located a few older GPX DT lines to purchase, but I fear that next time I need to replace lines, there will be none to be found.
I agree 100%. I think it’s strictly to encourage more frequent purchases. There are still DT lines available in lower priced brands (eg, Hook & Hackle brand fly lines).
Yes, completely agree. If I were looking to buy a DT line I’d look at Cortland in either the 444 or 333(which at one time was ‘THE’ top of the line in the fly fishing world). I’d also email the companies that no longer make a DT and let their customer service department know my displeasure and that, although I prefer their brand, because they no longer made a DT they forced me to buy another manufacturers product.
I help operate a fly shop. No surprise to us that DT lines seem to becoming more scarce. We sell 20+ WF lines for every DT. Very few customers ask for a DT line and most that do are in their mid 50’s or older. I’m in the shop one day a week, Saturday. I think I have only spooled 2 DT lines for customers in the last 6 months. A few customers have picked them up to spool themselves.
I am fairly new to this sport, and I purchased WF line because it was all there was reference to. Very, Very few references on this and other boards about DT line. OBTW, I am one of those older than mid 50’s. Now that I have read some about DT lines, I’m think I should make the investment and switch.
I like DT lines too, and I rarely using WF floating lines. In addition to the Cortland 444 mentioned earlier, the SA Supra DT lines are great. I also have a couple of older Rio Classic DT lines that I really like, but am not sure what Rio has in DT these days.
Rio has the Mainstream in a DT I believe, ebay is a good place to start.
I spent the last couple of weeks looking in every tackle shop close to me for a DT line for my new fiberglass rod and could not find one.
All the best.
Mike
I also work in a fly shop. The DT lines sit on the wall right next to the WFs. Of the hundreds of lines I’ve sold and spooled on reels this year, I only recall two or three being DT lines.
+1 for SA Supra DT flylines. Not the “half-line weight” heavier as in GPX or Rio Grand, but excellent in all other qualities you’d ask for in a premium flyline
DT lines offer the same basic taper they did 40 years ago, while the WF lines have evolved to optimize casting distance, presentation, fly weight and bulk, wind conditions, etc, etc.
So is it any wonder they outsell the DT lines by such a large margin, and is it a surprise the line makers have concentrated on producing what’s selling, and that fly shops stock the more popular lines? I realize that doesn’t solve your problem, but it’s a fact of life. If roll casting (and long-imbedded preferences) is the only thing keeping DT lines around, I wouldn’t hold out much hope for a revival. Maybe one of the newer WF head designs would roll cast well?