Skaggit Lines

[moonshadow]

Hi Folks

Had the opportunity to use the new Rio Skaggit fly lines yesterday on a double hander.
Thats all I can say is WOW do these lines cast.

They have a very short head of 27 feet to which you can attach a 15 feet tip of your choice ie. floating sink tip etc.

They are superb for putting out big flies and are ideal on all types of river.

I will definately be ordering one for the Towy.

If you get a chance have a go you will be amazed how easy they put a line out.

There is a full write up on Rios' website

Moonshadow

[steelheadnut]

Moonshadow
This is the line I was trying out yesterday on the Teify, coupled to my Meiser switch rod in preparation for my B.C. trip next week.
I fish this line (floater) with the multi tips. but primarily will be using tips of T14 rising in increments of 2ft from 6 to 20 ft.
This line has been designed with the pacific northwest Steelheaders in mind, to throw heavier tips coupled to some hefty flies/lures, and in a good blow, but to be honest it.s not a line I would use on my big double handers, i.e.14ft+.
On the other hand when tried on the 9ft 9wt Sage TCR and the slightly longer Switch rod it was a great tool, especially in very restricted places.
Personally I don't think there is one river anywhere in this locality that warrants such a line, but over there, well, it's a different ball game ;D ;D.
Cap

[moonshadow]

Hi Cap

Some interesting comments you make. As a newcomer to speycasting and still learning having only been doing it for a month I was amazed how easy it was to cast compared to a full line.
I was using a 12'.6" 8 to 9 rod. I enjoyed fishing with it on the Towy.

I would like your thoughts why it is not warranted on any river in this area especially before I part with any money.

Moonshadow

[steelheadnut]

Moonshadow,
If I were to go for a spey line, and just getting into it , then it would be the Rio WindCutter interchangeable tip Spey. My view, others will have their own ideas.
I fish this line on my 14 footer, although I have chopped it about a bit.
As for the Skagit line, it was designed to turn over heavy heads, like the T14 for example, with hefty lumps on the end of the cast.
Although I mainly fish with Spey flies, there are occasions that I use tubes or things called intruders that weigh as much as 20-25 grams when fishing for Steelhead over the pond.
There is one section of the Kalum river that I fish, which is a deep wade, nearly up to my armpits and the Skagit will be the perfect tool for it. Here I will use my switch rods with this line, short head to load the rod and turn over the T14 (up to 12ft here), Can't handle any more than that when wading that deep, and my arms so high, this is where I've had my best fish of 22lb. That was with my Wulff TT floating line, and it was murder turning a heavy tip over. The windcutter was better but the Skagit will be that much easier in this situation.
As for fishing the rivers over here, I don't think there is a need because you're not turning over anything really substantial in weight compared to what I've just talked about. All, or most spey lines on the market will do the job. Technique and matching line to rod would be my priority.
But if your happy with it get in there.
Hope I managed to say what I hoped to there, ;D
So much guff ;D ;D ;D
Cap

[rio]

Moonshadow, I agree with SHN. Did you notice how thick the line was compared to a standard spey line in the same wt? Very heavy delivery, which is what you need if your trying to turn over T14 and big waterlogged flies. I think you can fish a lot lighter with the techiques used for sewin and the size of the flies.

Yes they are easy to cast, but this proberly isnt the best set-up to learn on, especially if you want to use european set-ups later on, although having said that, you do get the benifit of instant rod loading with little line out of the tip

[moonshadow]

Thanks Lads

It was initially going to be the windcutter, that I was going to get to cover my salmon fishing but the skaggit just seemed to make spey casting on the Towy so much easier.

Will try out the windcutter on my rod and see how that goes.

Once again thanks for your input at least now I will not rush into any rash purchases.

Moonshadow

[steelheadnut]

Moonshadow, You shouldn't have any trouble with the Windcutter interchangeable spey, just make sure when casting you have the yellow section inside the tip ring. Any of the green running line outside the tip ring when forming you're cast will not load the rod properly.
Happy fishing
Cap