WF or DT?....

[Steve H.]

I've generally held the belief that at least for most New England trout fishing, a DT (double taper) line is better for rivers and streams while a WF (weight forward) line is better for stillwater applications. Of course this is based on the rule that DT lines are better for short casts, especially roll casts, while WF is better for longer casts across a pond or lake.

Does everyone else select their lines based on these simple principles, or is there more to it that I'm not aware of?

[petegas]

some manufacturers recommend certain line types for their rods unless you are fishing in some sort of extreme on way or anohter.

for example, when i visited the winston factory to cast some of their rods, they had DTs for all their WT models, and WFs for all their BIIX's. the folks their said that the action of each of these models lends themselves to the line type.

all things being equal, i'll take DT, please.

[StrBender]

I use both, and like you said I find I use the DT when fishing the rivers & streams. I tend to use the WF when fishing ponds for tout, bass & anything else that I can get to take my fly. If I need to get the WF down deep I use the Rio sinking leaders in all 3 sink rates.

[mer]

This is one of the age old questions that cane rod users struggle with constently. At 30 feet of line in the air, there should be little different between a WF and a DT, assuming both lines are made to the same AFTMA spec and within tolerance. Less than 30 feet, the shape of the front taper comes into play (which is why people size up by one for short casts). More than 30 feet, you run into the back taper on a WF, but stay constant on a DT (which is why people will down size by one if they consistently fish greater than 30 feet). Long Belly WF give you a bit of DT "feel". A way of looking at it is WF is made for shooting, DT is made for casting, which may be why most "caneiacs" use a DT (the best description I heard of the difference between cane and graphite was "cane is made for casting line, graphite made for shooting line"). This leads pretty much into what petegas heard at the Winston factory, a Winston WT is very close to a "typical" cane rod feel, while the BIIX's are pretty much the opposite. Fast or tip action rod, WF, medium/full flexing action, DT.

I pretty much use DT, except for one rod that really prefers a WF. RIO really does some good stuff with the tapers on their lines.

Oh, the above is my opinion only, take it for what it cost ya.

:)

[Steamtrain]

4wt and lighter use DT
7 wt and heavier use WF

5,6 use what would be best for the rod and situation
short distance DT, long distance WF

i like DT because you get 2 lines for the price of one

just an opinion

[Casey A. Wood]

I underweighed a stream rod with 4 wt DT. and love it when it comes to small streams. Good choice decision on my part.

[wet_fly_action]

I think a WF should roll cast just as well as long as you're casting just the head of the line. (My roll casts peter out at around 40') If you can roll cast further than this- 1. tell me how and 2. you will prefer a DT.
WF lines take up a LOT less room on your reel so if you like a lot of backing this is something to consider.

[overmywaders]

I find that each rod and each casting style has a particular line that brings out the best in it. I had a 9' 3wt cane that loved an Orvis Longbelly -- it was quite passionate about it -- disgusting really.