Shooting Head Running Line

[splash]

For my current shooting head set up in the 10/11 size (Loop Adapted and Guidleine Power Taper), I'm currently using the orange loop running line or airflo orange running line which seems identical to the Loop stuff (no surprises there then).

For the lighter 8/9 heads I've been using the airflo yellow polyshoot running line supplied with the 40+ trout lines which is surprisingly hard and robust, unlike the lines themselves which tend to break with a good stretch IMHO

Speaking to other fishers, I'm sure there are better running lines for heads out there. I'm looking for a harder coating than the loop line for the heavier heads. I believe guideline do such a beast with a non-stretch kevalr core but I don't like their GL shooter line as I find it tangles to easily. I have not tried the LRL+ , DC Direct or Compline Ranges. Does anyone have a go to shooting line of choice that has a hard , smooth finish but yet remains tangle free and supple? I'd be interested in your feedback and thoughts

Cheers

Splash

[petersc]

LRL with the ridges -- shoots very, very well and resists tangles better than most. I went four full days of fishing and I think I might have had one brief tangle that sorted itself out.

Having said that, I don't have many tangle problems with the GL mono either.

[turrifftackle]

Perhaps some of our Scandinavian friends can help out here- but I am reliably informed that you need to match the running line to the size of the fly that you chuck- hence the different thickness of running line (shown as a breaking strain) and that you cut shooting heads according to your height- which was never mentioned in the recent T&S article of which a Scandinavian chum chuckled at.

We seem to be buying into all these products but not getting the right information on how to get the best out of it.
Can anyone enlighten us and show us the errors of our ways?

Frank

[castlikeaghille]

turrifftackle said:

Perhaps some of our Scandinavian friends can help out here- but I am reliably informed that you need to match the running line to the size of the fly that you chuck- hence the different thickness of running line (shown as a breaking strain) and that you cut shooting heads according to your height- which was never mentioned in the recent T&S article of which a Scandinavian chum chuckled at.

We seem to be buying into all these products but not getting the right information on how to get the best out of it.
Can anyone enlighten us and show us the errors of our ways?

Frank

TT

Cutting the head according to your height all sounds a bit like something out of an episode of Noggin the Nog - these Vikings have a very dry sense of humour - at least the ones we drink with on Deeside are not shy of pulling your leg. The simple truth with any shooting head is that you have to tune it in according to the rod you are using and whether you are going to spey cast it or overhead cast it under hand

Tuning in a shooting head means you start with one that you know will be too long and gradually cut it down in size a foot at a time until its right - sorry no short cut to this (no pun intended).

Personally, I now follow the Collie Wuff strategy of cutting the line to the right size to make a modest spey cast. The head will be perfect for overhead casting but too light for spey. Solution, when you want to spey cast add one of the 15' tips from a multi-tip (No difference between Rio and Jocky M here). This gives the line the extra weight you need to spey as well as any full line.

In the spirit of Viz here is a top tip. Create the front loop on the shooting head with the actual fly line. Stripping the coating by an inch (nail varnish remover will do this). Then create a small loop with the actual fly line and whip down from the line over the stripped core and aquasure the job. The purpose is to give you a small stiff loop that won't hinge if you loop to loop with a multi-tip tip who sell sea shells by the sea shore

On running lines, I've been using the loop orange stuff for a couple of years now and find it excellent. I've not tried the guide line stuff so will take GR at his word that it is an improvement. As for different weights of running line, yes it will make a marginal improvement - but I would be hard pressed to believe it makes a material difference between heads of the same weight even with a slightly different aero dynamic profile on each ie #12 Floating, Inty, Sinking etc. Stick to one running line which you get used to handling and not tangling - that will be of more practical benefit to you than being able to cast an extra 4 yards

On not tangling, one Viking tale which is not Noggin is how to loop running line when wading, which I don't think was covered in T&S. Hold the butt handle between first finger and thumb. NB This is why many modern rods now have a ridge/lip in the middle of the butt in order to obtain a securer grip with this hold. Strip in six pulls of line and loop over your little finger. Strip in five pulls and loop over your index finger. Finally, strip in 4 pulls and loop over your middle finger. If there is still more running line strip it and let it fall in the river. With practice, you will be pleasantly surprised at how few tangels you get and how far you can cast (if needs be) as there is very little water drag on the running line. This technique is shown on the Gawesworth/Vincent Rio Sey Casting Video.

Regardez

CLaG

[petersc]

Scierra's online PWF tuning tool asks for the caster's height, so somebody takes it seriously.

I've always selected my running lines based on two factors: water temperature and weight of head. As conditions get colder, I move away from mono and use the fly line type. Since the weight of the head has some relationship to the size of fly being chucked, I suppose by extension, this means that there is a relationship between fly size and running line.

[woburn]

I have been using the Loop running line for the past 2 seasons with few problems. Best way of handling running line is with a Flexi Stripper. Ill leave it open for discussion as to whether line trays are liable to lead to excommunication in the hallowed huts of the DAV or MWC. It's worth it just to see the look on the ghillie's face when you strap on and head for the river (sorry Archie)

They were selling Loop running line for peanuts on tacklebargains.co.uk a few weeks ago.

Sam