Fly line types - is the DT still in demand?

[betanut]

Kind of on the back of a few other topics of late I'd be interested to see what the general concensus is on fly lines...... although I do have Snowbee 3D lines I generally prefer a 40 yard DT - but then I don't need to chuck out much more than 30yards that often
Anyhow, what's your preference? Is there still a market for DT lines?

[acw]

Still using them ,but all the different ones have their uses

[macd]

I still use DT lines a lot. I have a couple of spey lines too. Like graham the DT is my first choice on spate rivers where speycasting is too splashy and generally inappropriate. DT lines are better for presentation.

I learned to speycast with a DT and think it has served me well.

[macd]

;D No probs springer, would be a poorer forum if we all agreed.

I havent seen the speylines you mention so perhaps it was unfair to generalise.


I have a Loop speyline with a short head 50 something feet. Brilliant line and I will use it with tips on a spate river in the the spring. On the whole I tend to use a 10DT int. It cuts throught the wind as it has a smaller diameter and requires less effort- at least the way I do it.

I generally use a speyline for speycasting and probably wouldnt revert to a DT. For summer I have a 8/9 with a 65ft head which is a joy to fish with.

I maintain that the DT is better for presentation, but as with all things in relation to salmon, it is subjective. I also think the use of the DT is part of a mindset when fishing for spate river salmon. When the water drops it can be like fishing for big trout. I use a 13ft rod with a DT9 and I swear by it as I have done well with it over the years.

Ross

[jimthefish]

Springer,

Have to agree with Graham & Ross. I own and fish Lee Wulff TT's,
Carron Jetstreams , Rio Accelerator & IG Medium Sinker. All of them brilliant in their own ways on the bigger rivers.
When I fish the Helmsdale in August however my first choice is a Hardy DT9. The ghillie on Borrobol Estate, Johnny Hardy (one of the greatest ghillies ever) wants you to place your fly within an inch of the far bank and to aim for particular marks on the far bank. You cant beat the light DT in these circumstances for excellent presentation with a lot of the casts overhead for pinpoint accuracy.
If you are on the lower beats I sometimes use my 75' Carron which also gives a nice presentation. Last year I tried a shorter belly line (Hardy Mach 1 floater in8/9 size) on smaller rivers. It was nice to use but for all round accuracy and presentation, the DT9 has it.

[fishingpip]

Hi springer, sorry for straying from orignal thread, regards the diawa wisker, looking for a small river spate rod, D/hand. How would define the action of the rod, is it a nice rod to use, what line suits it best, any other comments would be most welcome.

Thanks in advance for any info.
fishingpip.

[elwyman]

I occasionally use a DT10 with my 13' Greyflex on the Conwy in lowish water conditions, gives a nice presentation for 15-20 yard casts, particularly if I am overhead casting to minimise disturbance. I actually caught my biggest Conwy salmon using a DT10, so I quite like them!

Let's face it, controlled landings with some spey lines aren't that easy!

[betanut]

Good stuff folks, it's good to know that I'm not entirely alone in loving a nice old fashioned DT ;D Indeed for most of my trout fishing I'm switching back to DT lines or (wait for it) WF fly lines that have been designed with presentation in mind and 'borrow' elements of the DT line in a weight forward- lines like the Partridge Dry and Delicate and the Barrio Mallard for example.
After a few years as an occasional Salmon fisher I'm getting back into regular salmon fishing and what the posts so far suggest to me is that a DT line remains as the ideal low water and shorter casts (say to 30 ish yards) fly line - perhaps the best all rounder for the occasional outing. Spey-types taking the mantle for distance from there. Not all that surprising I suppose
But what gives me the creeps is the price of some fly lines today - I mean can anyone justify over a £100 for a fly line - let alone £50?