Multi tip or dedicated lines?

[salmondan]

When I started salmon fishing last year I bought a kit from GAC comprising Greys GRXi 15" #10/11, Greys GRX reel, and scientific anglers DT11F line. This I found to be ok to learn the basics with.
This year I'm fishing the spey at the end of April and I think I might need some more tackle! (probably the understatement of the year)
My question is should I go for a multi tip setup like a rio windcutter or should I use the two spare spools I got with the reel for an intermediate and a sinker? Which lines should I get that would suit my novice spey casting ability? I've tried to get the advice through previous posts and reviews on other sites but it just seems like a minefield, perhaps I should have done a poll instead.
Cheers, Dan

[williegunn]

It depends, I prefer a floater an intermediate and a sinker, Graham Ritchie, who I regularly fish with, usually fishes an interchangable tip line, both have there merits.
I would not buy the windcutter for the Spey it is too short in the head and an awful line to cast.

[betanut]

I like the tips lines for small to medium sized rivers but have yet to use them in anger on a bigger river, so if I were you I'd buy an intermediate and a moderately quick sinker for the 2 spare spools. You can always get a tips line to replace the floater another time.

[petersc]

betanut said:

I like the tips lines for small to medium sized rivers but have yet to use them in anger on a bigger river, so if I were you I'd buy an intermediate and a moderately quick sinker for the 2 spare spools. You can always get a tips line to replace the floater another time.

Excellent advice. In fact it mirrors what I've been doing of late, having intermediates and ordering the Type 2, or the S1/2 in the case of the Impact line, to match up with a multi-tip.

When the time comes for a multi-tip, go with the Airflo Delta Long as it's amuch more "fishable" line than the Windcutter. I've owned a bunch of multi-tips (too embarrased to say how many), and the Delta Longs have always been the best of the bunch.

I'm a late arrival to full sinking long lines, being brought up in the sinktip mania of the steelhead world, but on bigger rivers with more even flows, I'm finding the intermediate to be a wonderful fishing line.

[munrokiller]

SalmonDan,

I began fishing with the old Kingfisher lines which you had to grease to float. There were great at the time, epscially for just sub-surface ( intermediate ) fishing. I eventually moved on of course to the 'plastic floaters' and WetCell 1,2 & 4.

I'm now totally converted to the Multi-Tip Lines and feel that they give far more flexibility whilst fishing - changing tips is so easy. Whats more they enable you to mend the line, something that you just can't do with full sinkers. I would however suggest that for the Tay & Tweed especially a full sinker is a must.

I've tried most of the lines on the market and for a number of years, the Rio Multi-Tips were unbeatable. Now fortunately a few companies have caught up and indeed overtaken Rio.
I used the Airflo Delta Long, last Spring - a great line at a modest price. This year however, I'm trying out the Airflo Monteith System which I know Springer has just added to his line pool.

You'll notice that everyone has their favourites for a multitude of reasons, therefore I suggest you visit Springers LinePool where you are bound to find one that fits!

If you fancy a Wetcell 2, I have one relatively unused that you're welcome to ( no cost of course ), and probably a Wetcell 1 also. You can either pick them up when you visit the Spey or I can send them on to you.

Tight Lines, which ever they may be !

[storlaks]

If you are relatively new to the world of Spetcasting I would recomend a shorter headed sunk speyline i.e. Bill Drury Impact Spey sink1/2 or the hardy Mach II wet 2...or even the IG sink2 (green one) With any of those matched with brass, aluminium, plastic tubes or standard doubles you should be OK on the Spey in April......in addition to your floater.

[Sloggi]

For the last few years I fished a tips system either Rio or Loop. I used the intermediate tip from April on to the end of the season. This year I will use a full intermediate, full floater, and full sinker.

Someone mentioned the Rio Windcutter was a poor caster and I agree. The Loop Quattro is pretty good and casts well enough. However, I've just purchased a Carron sinker which is terrific. I borrowed a Carron intermediate from the line pool which was completely storming

Only advice I'd give is try the Line Pool - your situation is why it's there

[ceilidh]

SalmonDan,

I agree with everything which Munrokiller says, however, there is one other consideration which is, how often will you be likely to use these lines and on how many different rivers?
If you are going to fish a variety of rivers from small to large, or if your fishing will be limited to a couple of weeks per year, then the multi tips will give you greater versatility to cope with different situations and will probably be a more economical choice.

On the other hand, if you will regularly be fishing the larger rivers, then it would certainly be worth investing in a dedicated floater and full sinker. A selection of intermediate and slow sink polyleaders, used in conjunction with the floater will be adequate to cope with most other situations but will not be so convenient as a multi tip if you will also be fishing smaller rivers.

[salmondan]

Thanks for the help gents. It's still a minefield but now a minefield of opinions as opposed to sales pitches. From the replies so far Rio's windcutter is definitely out in favour of the Airflo Delta Long or the Monteith. Thanks for the offer of the wetcels munrokiller, I'd like to take you up on that, I'll pm you the details of when I'm up there and where I'm staying.
99% of my fishing is on the Annan and the Nith but I think I need to be properly prepared for my Spey trip, first time on a proper "big" river, so I've had the idea that perhaps I don't need to decide between multis and specialist purpose line after all. I'll just buy another spool and get the best of both worlds. ;D If I can use the line pool to try a couple I'll be well sorted by the time April comes.
Once again, thanks.

PS Does anyone make a line that guarantees fish? I'd like to try one of those!

[sagecaster]

Is the Monteith really that good?

I've fished and harped on about replacing my Rio Accellerator Tips which is 80ft for a while but not found anything that really measures up. The Accellerator was a pretty good line and suited my casting style, would the Monteith but an equal or better replacement?

[sagecaster]

Cool!

Thanks, will look into it a bit further and give it a try.

[kercock]

I tried out the Montieth line earlier this week and I have to say I was very impressed with it.Certainly not cheap,but. you would be buying a lot of different lines in a single box. Of the non Multi-tip newer lines,the Guideline Bill Drury Impact lines take a lot of beating,whichever one you buy.

[salmondan]

springer said:

Myself and other guys have been impressed with the Monteith,

That's good enough for me. I'd best try one then.

[elwyman]

I had a cast of the monteith tips line this weekend and was very impressed - far superior to the Rio lines in terms of castability.

The 10' tips cast like polyleaders - you don't feel like you're pulling up a hawser, like you do with some of the windcutter tips!

Has anybody tried the line with the 15' tips on?

Having said that, I'm moving towards fishing polytips with floaters and intermediates - they do the same job as the tip lines!

[kercock]

I tried the Montieth with the14ft 8 Guideline Le Cie which was designed by Bill Drurie I'm told. the result was very encouraging ,I tried the Le Cie with a Drurie and that was awesome I started off casting as if I was using the LTX? but soon found that the Le Cie needed the cast slowing down a fraction,then it went like the proverbial sh#t off a shovel.
I will give the Montieth line more of a test with the 15ft head, first chance I get.

[elwyman]

A very impressive line then - anybody want to buy some windcutters! ;D

[easky]

I tried the Monteith a couple of weeks ago and was very impressed. I used the 15 tips on the main body and had no probs even on my 14ft LPEx which is a 9-10# (I just brought in some line). It really shot out, was very supple and slick running. I think the key as well as the performance is the versatility of the line.

thanks to Springer for organising the line pool, it is a great plus to be able to test out the lines before you buy . Saves on making expensive mistakes ;D

E

[Fruin]

Back to Kercock's comments. Dennis allowed me the use of the LPXe 15ft 10/11 rod with the new Guideline reel and the Bill Drurie floating line. I used it with an 8ft fast sink poly and a one and a half inch copper tube and managed to cast a straight, if not very long line into a troublesome headwind. I liked this set up a lot and found the Drurie line a pleasure to use. It was a very comfortable balanced set up and I am sure i would have managed a very long line in better conditions.

Now, how much do I really need thiose savings anyway...

[albyn73]

To all you guys using the monteith line which has ony a 53' head plus tips on it,ON ebay john's wife was selling the uncut version for £25. plus p/p of £5, this version had a head of 63' on it and no heads. But all you needed was the poly tips , or i think you could buy the tips seperate for£15 each-making a grand total of £90 for line &tips instead of paying £125-£130, for the shop version. IT also goes great the LE CIE 15' 9" 10/11. ticht lines.

[elwyman]

I think the £25 was a special offer - I pm'd Jock and full floating lines are now £40.

The tips line has head lengths of 63', 68' or 78', depending on which configuration of main line head and tips you use. I know this because my line has just been delivered to work today. ;D