Intermediate Lines

[mrazz]

If anyone attended the seminar on Stillwater fishing on Sat., we got a great presentation on Intermediate Lines (I thought anyway). I am now in seach of a clear Intermediate Line. He mentioned either the Cortland "Clear Camo" or one produced by Scentific Anglers, which I beleive is the "Stillwater Line". Does anyone have any advice at all befor I purchase one? I'm very curious about fishing this type of line from a float tube. Any info will help. Thanks

[Solid]

Really? I missed the seminar, and don't really know what I am talking about when it comes to stillwater fishing (I was actually planing on attending that seminar) but I would think that you would want a sink tip, or a faster sinking line. Can you sum up the seminar for those of us that missed it? I went to the FF show, but could not stay for that long.

[Steamtrain]

was that harrym's seminar?

i'm also interested in hearing more about stillwater fishing.

[Hegel]

I'll second solid on that request. I wasn't able to make it up to New Hampshire this weekend for the show. What was the claim about intermediate line?

-Hegel-

[HarryM]

mrazz,

Thanks for the compliment on the seminar - although I was a little nervous on Saturday (it being my first seminar) and I thought my words did not flow as well as I had hoped. After I had done one, I thought Sunday's went a little smoother.

Anyway - there are three lines to consider. Sci. Anglers makes it's Mastery Series Stillwater line, which is a WF, Intermediate sink line available in all the line weights you could need, and it is clear in color. Cortland makes it's "clear camo" line in it's 555 Series Little Tunny line in WF7 thru WF12. On the smaller end, they have their Stillwater Trout line in WF4 thru WF8. For cost they are all in the same ball park and should price out within around 5 bucks of one another. Just remember to upload your rod one line weight up.

I find the the Sci Anglers line is a little softer with less line memory than the Cortland. But I like the Cortland clear camo color, so I tend to use that more often. I'll just give the line a stretch before I start to cast and that usually takes care of the memory.

I'm sure that other companies like Rio and the rest have something good as well, but since all fly line is made (OEM) by either Sci Ang or Cortland and just subbed out to other companies, might as well go for the direct source.

[lowwall]

My Still water experience has envolved, Chucking metal and forked sticks.

I Missed it, To much Yaping with the folks there.

I really would have like to have heard it. I am composing a List of still water questions that I am hoping can get answered by our experts.

Mike

[dcs2]

Thanks for an excellent presentation, Harry. For those who weren't there, Harry talked about still fishing in shallow water for big fish on the big lakes. He talked about the drawbacks of floating lines and sinking tips for this type of fishing and why the clear intermediate line with a long leader is best for the long casts and medium speed retrieves that seem to typify this fishing. He said that he uses the intermediate line even when after fish in one foot of water.

[sbeausol]

On harry's recommendation last year i went out and bough the SA stillwater line. I found that most local shops couldn't get it or there was a long wait, so i bought it on ebay:

http://stores.ebay.com/Fishwest-Online-Fly-Shop_Fly-Lines_SA-Fly-Lines_SA-Full-Sink_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ6749126QQftidZ2QQtZkm

Haven't fished it yet, but it seems like a good line

[Solid]

What species are we talking about targeting here? Bass? Pickerel? Pike? I can see that....

[Kype+]

In addition to the other fine lines mentioned perhaps the 444Sl Ghost tip line could be useful to you. I was introduced to it by some avid striped bass fly roders and it has been a joy to fish. It casts well and I have improved my catch with it.

Cortland 444 SL Ghost Tip. Floating rocket taper with 15' slow sinking intermediate tip, 35 yard length, mint green color with clear tip. The ultimate in stealthy presentation—your days of spooking fish by “lining” them are over! These lines are truly crystal clear, not opaque. The 15’ GhostTip section gives the angler 24’ (with a 9’ leader) between the green SL fly line body and his fly. Ideal for use with nymphs, streamers and in still water. The GhostTip could be the most perfect fly line ever developed for the line-shy trout, steelhead and salmon.

[HarryM]

I found that most local shops couldn't get it or there was a long wait

You are right on that one. Even if you go to LLBean or KTP, who have hundreds of lines hanging on their wall - you would be lucky to find an intermediate sinking line for fresh water. They are just not used that often so the shops don't usually stock them

What species are we talking about targeting here? Bass? Pickerel? Pike? I can see that....

Actually we were talking about targeting trout in shallow lake water, but this applies to the warm water fish as well - especially during the heat of the summer.

Cortland 444 SL Ghost Tip

I am a big fan of this line and use it a lot in rivers. It has a little memory to it, but a good stretch before you begin casting will take care of that. I don't use it on stillwater though because when you are in very shallow water (under 5 feet) any floating line will cause disturbances on the surface and can spook fish. It's better than a full floater, but the intermediate is the way to go. If you are fishing in deeper shallow water (like 15-20 feet) the line will have too much slack in it, and you can miss sublte strikes.

[Hegel]

Kype,

I use the Ghost Tip line. I think it's great stuff. I agree, it seems like it might be good for smallies in still water. I'm going to try it!

-Hegel-

[Kype+]

Hagel

It is difficult to test all the various lines out there and no one line does it all but I agree with you on this line it has been very good to me for striped bass and i can't wait to use it for Atlantic salmon and lake run landlocks. I find it pleasant to cast. How about you?

Bobby

[mrazz]

Thanks to everyone's insight on this topic. Harry, you did a great job explaining Stillwater concepts at the show last Saturday. But more importantly, thank you very much for your replys posted here. Can't waite to try some new things this year. Tight Lines to everyone!!
Thanks