new line ?

[madkeen]

I was out on the tummel today (bloody freezing) and its my third trip out with 16ft b+w and starting to think i could do with a longer belly fly line (currently using cortland multi-tip)and was wondering if anybody has any ideas on head lengths fly line types.I am mostly fishing Tay and Tummel most casts tend to be 30 yds+.

[woburn]

Why were you feeling you needed a longer belly line? Was it a problem with casting or with stripping in and then management of the running line?

[madkeen]

The stripping line in is a pain also with the head just outside the the rod I feel that i could handle a bigger D loop than the line i am using now gives me.

[woburn]

I guess its all about what you prefer. I started with windcutters and after trying longer bellies and not really liking them, still use them on my 15ft rod. For my shorter rods i use shooting heads. My favourite setup at the moment is a 14ft Loop Blue with the Loop shooting heads. I like the shorter heads for a number of reasons.

1. You can fish short or long casts. Some of the longer head lines dont work well at close range.
2. It doesnt matter if you do need to throw it 35yds +, you can still do it by shooting line.
3. It doesnt matter how little room you have behind you, you can still make a small loop and get the line out.
4. I actually like retrieving (stripping?) the line in as it works round. I feel like I'm more in touch with the fly and can control the speed better.
5. If you do get a pull as the fly comes round to the end of the swing you have a much better chance of hooking it if you are retrieving the fly, than if it is on the dangle. I have caught a few fish like this.
6. Shorter heads are much more forgiving on the casting front. If you are on the river every day and your timing is spot on then no problem with a long belly. I tend to have a few weeks between trips and although I practice a bit, my timing goes to pot and I was spending the first day or so of my trip getting my casting back. With the heads it's so much easier to get a line out and get fishing.
7. Underhand casting with shooting heads and a 13 or 14ft rod is so much less effort than a long belly and a 15 or 16 footer. Im much less tired at the end of a full day and I dont get aches in the wrists and forearms like I used to.

Managing the running line can be a pain, but I bought a thing called a Flexi Stripper (google it, but dont go past the first page or so ) earlier this year and this has completely solved the problem. Its so light I forget Im wearing it and it does a great job looking after the running line.

Like I said, it's very much personal preference. WG will have a totally different opinion, as will Graham and others. I just prefer this way of fishing.

Try a longer belly and see how you get on, but also try a shooting head set up and a more underhand style of cast. You may like it!!

[salmonfly]

Woburn I have to whole heartedly agree with you, I underhand cast also and it is just like you have stated above, it make my fishing day a lot less tiring.