Am I a 'Marketeers' dream?

[JJ]

After reading that article in Trout & Salmon on Spey lines, I am now wondering if the line I've matched to my rod really suits it.

I have a B&W Powerlite 14ft and I matched it to a Rio Windcutter 9/10 (on advice). I had noticed that it is a bit of a chore to keep stripping in line to shoot each cast and now Trout & Salmon tell me the short heavy head is a bit rubbish compared to lines like the Orvis line, Ian Gordons line etc etc.

So given i've only had a year at it (2 casting tuition days), should I go for a longer head line?

The Rio has a 62 foot head so would I cast better with a longer head line? Have I matched the right line to this rod?

Any advice much appreciated! - JJ

[wilbert]

I have a Powerlite 15ft and Norway 15' and have both a windcutter multi tip# 9/10/11 and 2 #10/11 IG lines (65' head floater and fast sink) both the WC and the IG work well but its horses for courses. I find that the IG line is no good for close range work, it needs to have the full head out to get the best from it and the floater does not like to turn heavy flies or poly leaders over. The WC is better suited to my local river as it is quite narrow but I prefer to use the IG lines when fishing away from home on bigger rivers such as the Dee. So because you say that you are fed up with having to strip the running line of the WC I can assume that you are putting out a longish line. I would say get an IG line but its upto you to decide whether to go for the 65 or 75ft head. Most places are selling them for £40 and if you don't like it you will get £30 for it on ebay.

[Tyne Angler]

JJ

I thought the head on the Windcutter was around the 55ft mark with the Midspey coming in around 65ft ?

The 65ft head Ian Gordon line should be a good match for the 14ft'r. As an alternative i'm sure Carron do a 65ft 9/10 version of the Jetstream which is a superb line. I'm sure speyvalley or malcolm will be able to advise you better as to how this line will match the 14ft Powerlite.

[woburn]

Hi JJ,

Ive just posted on the New Line thread below, some of which may be of interest. I think all of the testers in Trout and Salmon are ghillies on the big scottish rivers. What suits them may not suit the rest of us. Ghillies are on the water all the time and get loads of practice. They tend to like long bellies and big rods and big loops. Therefore they tend to like lines which suits 'ghillie style' casting or what some people call 'traditional, casting, all of which is absolutely fine.

However, if you had given the same bunch of lines to Per Stadigh or Leif Stavmo or Henrick Mortensen you might have got a completely different set of recommendations.

You have tried a Windcutter, now try an IG or other long belly, then try a shooting head setup. This game is very much about what YOU like, not what someone else thinks you should like. Different styles go better in different circumstances, and there is nothing to say you cant change depending on your mood for the day.

I went through a period of chopping and changing till i found what I like. Its good fun and keeps you busy over the winter. Buy a few different lines and give them a go. You'll get most of your money back if you decide to ebay them. Or keep them and try them again when you need a different challenge. Your rod will suit a variety of lines and a variety of styles of casting. Have a go with a few to see which you like best.

Sam

[ceilidh]

JJ,
I agree with both Wilbert & Tyneangler. The WC head is about 55', however there are times when this line can be very useful e.g. when fishing small to medium rivers or in slow pools where you need to recover line in order to work the fly properly. With the WC you can keep the fly fishing longer and then shoot all of the running line straight into the next cast. It is also useful to be able to vary the depth of the fly as you move through a pool. For pure floating line work I would carry a spare spool loaded with either an IG, a Carron, or a Michael Evans Spey line. The 65' head would probably suit your rod best, particularly if you are a comparitive newcomer to speycasting.

[JJ]

Great advice - i think I'll stick with the Windcutter for the Welsh Dee (ie a relatively small river) and get an Ian Gordon for the Spey.

I find the water so quick on the Spey that stripping & shooting every 20 seconds a bit of a chore and the water is so turbulent that it works the fly without an awful lot of retrieving needed.

Mind you what do I know?!

You are right though - why not experiment, its part of the game isnt it?

Great advice thanks - JJ