Ian Gordon Sinker

[munro]

Just bought an Ian Godon Spey Line 11/12 today to use for spring /autumn with tubes and large flies.
Looking at the literature it seems the proper line would be the wetcell 2.
I therefore assumed that seeing that there was a medium sinker and a fast sinker in the Ian Gordon range that these would equate with the wetcell 1 and 2 respectively.
I find now that the "fast" sink (as advertised) is marked "extra fast" on the tin and the website gives a sink rate of 4" per second. I have learned from previous postings on the "other" site that the wetcell 2 appears to have a sink rate of 2"- 3.25"(?) - I have no idea what a wetcell 1 was.
Have I bought a wetcell 2 equivalent (as stated by the salesman) or should I be taking the line back and exchanging it for a medium sink.

[charlieh]

It seems that there is no direct equivalent to a Wet 2 in the IG range. A salmon sized Wet 2 would typically sink at about 3"/sec (the lower rated lines sink slower). In the IG range, the line you have sinks at 4"/sec, and the medium sink at 2"/sec. Incidentally a Wetcel 1 has a given sink rate of 1.25-1.75"/sec - it'd probably be considered a fast intermediate nowadays. The IG intermediate sinks at 1"/sec.

The Tweed, for example, has some deep pools, and I think your line wouldn't be out of place on some of them, particularly in high water. But there will be times & places when it'll drag along the bottom. And I certainly think it'd be too much if you're fishing shallower rivers.

Of course, ideally you'd have lines in all densities, but if restricted to one I'd go for the medium sink. You can always stick on a polyleader and heavy fly to gain extra depth when needed (although the presentation and casting won't be as nice), and I think you'll find it works in a wider range of situations than a fast sinker. I'm someone who generally tends to favour a faster sinking line and a light fly, but I think you may find this line too much for all-round use.

[munro]

Thanks Charlie H - I have a Loop Quattro so that I could use for the medium sinker tip of that for less deep pools. I really wanted something to fish tubes Feb/March and Oct/Nov on a middle tweed beat - it sounds from what you say that the line is more suited for the deep pools of the Tay or the bottom beats of the Tweed. I feel the categorisation of this line as "fast" as opposed to "extra fast" in advertisements in S&T and dealers catalogues (presumably following the lead of Partridge) is misleading.

[williegunn]

Munro, remember the advice I gave you a year ago.............a salmon angler has 100 of lines guess what I'm right again.

The Med sink at 2" /sec is fine for most occasions for high fast water the 4"/sec is excellent.

Think like a salmon, if the water is high and coloured where will you lie? midstream fighting the current? so you med sinker will work well.
I have never fished the Tweed but I understand it can sometimes be quite sluggish when the fast sinker will work well.Do not take the line back....just an oppertunity to buy another rod and reel.

[munro]

Thank you both . I will keep the sinker .

You were so right Malcolm . As I type I have now collected 7 different Salmon lines (to go with my 4 rods ).Great fun buying them tho'

Graham - I take it by sink tip you mean the Quattro with one of the tips attached?(I see there is/was a straight Hardy Sink tip on e bay - many people don't seem to like sink tips (or are they talking about something else?) but I can't understand why this is)

[munro]

Graham- Have now spooled the line and started making loop on the end. I have removed the covering to expose about an inch of the core, doubled it back and added a touch of super glue to hold it togther. I don't have any kevlar thread but was going to nail knot on some 8lb line instead then whip with tying silk. Is that OK
After I whip I was going to apply some super glue and varnish. If I am going to add aquasure should I miss out either of the last two steps.

[williegunn]

I have just used the silk in the past a varnished and aquasealed is fine.

[munro]

Thanks Malcolm. I'll do that.

[munro]

Thanks Graham. You seem to have doubled over a fair amount. I only doubled back about 1/2 inch . Is that enough?