What's your favorite intermediate line?

ifsteve

ifsteve

Steelhead
So was out fishing Henry's Lake yesterday and the intermediate (full line not tip) was the best approach. But the line I have is a clear intermediate which I really like as far as stealth but the thing has a butt load of memory and doesn't cast well on my saltwater 6wt at all. The line would probably handle better on my rod if it was a 7wt.

So what full intermediates are you guys using these days? This is an older line so about time for a replacement anyway. Oh and please don't recommend a clear camp intermediate tip. I have one of those two. And I use it a lot. But sometimes the full intermediate is the way to go.

TIA!
 
Personally, I like the Cortland stuff. For my musky stuff, it's the Cortland Compact. That would probably be a bit too aggressive of a taper for trout fishing, but it has a completely clear head, which I like. It does have some memory that after a handful of casts straightens out, or you can stretch it right before fishing. Thy still have a full clear intermediate in their more standard taper as well.

That's one downside of the clear intermediate lines, they have that mono core which will always have more memory than a braided core (regardless of coating).
 
I use a Cortland 444 Clear Camo for salmon. It is sold as full intermediate line in 4-12 wts. I bought heavy and cut to a shooting head (on purpose), but would happily use as a full line for lake fishing.

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Cortland Competition. Very low memory even in cold conditions, and casts well. Two markers, one at 14' and the other at 24'. A bit pricey, but well worth it.
 
Cortland Clear Camo all the way. Been fishing them, well forever?, 20+ years?, anyway a long time. Extremely durable, no memory issues (with the lines that is, me? uhh?) 4, 5, and 6 weights, fresh water.
 
I used my recently purchased, rarely used Rio CQS on a lake last week as I thought its slower sink rate was a good match for the lake’s depth. It produced some absolutely unfathomable tangles when set on my lap (as opposed to in a stripping basket, where it does a little bit better). Really killed my buzz. Furthermore, I noticed that it’s already cracking and coming apart after frankly very light use - just like the outbound short I unfortunately used to buy would always do.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that friends don’t let friends buy Rio lines.
 
My Cortland Clear Camo got pretty cracked last year, so I bought a new one. The new one is different from the old version - not translucent clear, and does not sink at the same rate. Not sure what the deal is, but I don't like the new line. Wonder if I some how messed up and got the wrong line. I shouldn't have tossed out the box.
 
dbaken said:
My Cortland Clear Camo got pretty cracked last year, so I bought a new one. The new one is different from the old version - not translucent clear, and does not sink at the same rate. Not sure what the deal is, but I don't like the new line. Wonder if I some how messed up and got the wrong line. I shouldn't have tossed out the box.
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This is how businesses operate these days. Doesn't matter if something works great or not. They somehow think if they don't change it people will stop buying it. BS. Stop fixing what ain't broke.
 
ifsteve said:
This is how businesses operate these days. Doesn't matter if something works great or not. They somehow think if they don't change it people will stop buying it. BS. Stop fixing what ain't broke.
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My Cortland Camo is probably 20 years old and works well. It ain't broke so I don't need to buy another one. Contradictory, aren't I? ;-) But back to your point, isn't it really all about marketing? Sage has the R8, sales were slumping on their last rod. Lamson's original Guru worked flawlessly (still does) but sales were slumping so their second gen came out with spools that wouldn't fit the original. I've lost track of what generation the Guru is now but I don't like orange drag knobs. But back to the OP - Cortland Camo! ;-)
 
One fellow reviewed the ArcticSilver MD Compact on the other site. Looked good enough to try so I bought one, and like it a lot. It’s sky blue and casts like a rocket.

www.arcticsilvershop.com

ArcticSilver Line review

Micro-Diameter Line test // best of the best
www.arcticsilvershop.com www.arcticsilvershop.com

In the past I used Cortland Clear Camo on lakes and liked it fine, but it does have some memory. Another line I like is Rio’s Camolux. Has a nice taper and while not clear, is pretty stealthy.
 
Dloy said:
One fellow reviewed the ArcticSilver MD Compact on the other site. Looked good enough to try so I bought one, and like it a lot. It’s sky blue and casts like a rocket.

www.arcticsilvershop.com

ArcticSilver Line review

Micro-Diameter Line test // best of the best
www.arcticsilvershop.com www.arcticsilvershop.com

In the past I used Cortland Clear Camo on lakes and liked it fine, but it does have some memory. Another line I like is Rio’s Camolux. Has a nice taper and while not clear, is pretty stealthy.
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The ArcticSilver line will throw a long way. I experienced some poor turnover on long casts in the salt on what may be the previous version. I ended up cutting 2' off the thin tip and welded a new loop. It's much better to cast, for me anyway. It looks like the current MD 2.0 may have a better front taper than my sky blue original. I think the original line had a floating running line and not a preferred full intermediate.
The new lines have dark blue heads and color coded to line weight running lines. If yours is the 6 weight it's the original.
 
Looks like the OP chose Rio. The Aqualux and Camolux have been good to me (but not the InTouch) version. I’m currently fishing SA’s current generation clear camo with good results. Sinks a little slower than a Rio Aqualux.
 
Cortland or SA. I ditched my RIO “tangles all the time “ lines. Still fishing a Cortland type 2 now for over 30 years and works just fine.
 
I've had good luck with the RIO Aqualux II clear intermediate line and have gone through several of those lines over the years. However, I see that RIO is discontinuing that line, so it is on sale from various vendors. I just picked up two on eBay.
 
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