What floating line does the folks on here prefer for indicator fishing

S

steelheardr99

Steelhead
After my last time out i think i need a new floating line for my indicator fishing, my floating lines are old and yes i cleaned them but i need new ones. The rods i use are a 10' Loomis NRX+ 6wt and a 9'6" Loomis GLX high line speed 6wt, So what are you all using and what do you like, Thanks in advance.
 
My floating lines are at least 5 years old and I’m starting to research options for replacement. I think the two I use a lot are both Scientific Anglers Wavelength series and I don’t have any complaints. I’ll probably stick with SA.
 
The folks at the Gorge shop recommended a SA amplitude infinity for my 10' Stillwater 6wt. Casts well, highly tangle resistant. I have been pleased. Floats well, and I've thrown an indicator 80' or so, much farther than is realistic to set the hook. Casts 10' fine to. 10# UG will cut into the loop.
On my 5wt I use a plain Clearwater floater, and is fine for out to 50'. I like this line so much on my new clearwater rod that I bought another to put back on the Hardy to fish on my Steffan 5/6.
Rods, lines, reels, I think there is a lot of good stuff out there these days.
 
I've started just using my Airflo Streamer Float. It works amazingly well. The head is just short enough where it's easy to shoot line on a roll-cast or spey-style cast yet also just long enough to mend at distance. Not only that, but it's perfect for fishing weighted streamers. Not only that, but during the handful of times I had to throw on a dry, it actually worked perfectly for that too.

I'm primarily fishing rivers, but I'll use it for lake work as well.
 
I'll have a 6wt, SA Infinity Smooth for sale next week that was just spooled and lawn cast for sale next week ;)
 
I've gone to SA because the RIO lines can't be stretched and coil badly.
 
Indicator fishing isn't very demanding in terms of the gear needed to be successful. Great casting skill isn't required nor a mega buck rod and a line that floats is about the only requirement. Laying out multiple flies with a strike indicator attached to a long tippet isn't pretty to begin with, just getting the indicator on the water and waiting for it to disappear is about all that is necessary.

Years ago the GPX lines were the latest buzz and became very popular. But like every other successful fly fishing product they had to be replaced with something more expensive.Once they were no longer the darling of the gotta-have-the-latest set they lost favor as more glamorous lines took over. That was my big chance, the GPX was a better line than I am a fly caster and when they went on sale for less than 1/2 price I bought 4 of them. They have held up well and are still in use-especially the 5wt which really gets a lot of use.

It's hard to buy a bad line nowadays Although Rio has managed to produce a few clunkers.
 
iveofione said:
Indicator fishing isn't very demanding in terms of the gear needed to be successful. Great casting skill isn't required nor a mega buck rod and a line that floats is about the only requirement. Laying out multiple flies with a strike indicator attached to a long tippet isn't pretty to begin with, just getting the indicator on the water and waiting for it to disappear is about all that is necessary.

Years ago the GPX lines were the latest buzz and became very popular. But like every other successful fly fishing product they had to be replaced with something more expensive.Once they were no longer the darling of the gotta-have-the-latest set they lost favor as more glamorous lines took over. That was my big chance, the GPX was a better line than I am a fly caster and when they went on sale for less than 1/2 price I bought 4 of them. They have held up well and are still in use-especially the 5wt which really gets a lot of use.

It's hard to buy a bad line nowadays Although Rio has managed to produce a few clunkers.
Click to expand...

still can..

 
Rio Grande in touch line - the head is one rod weight larger than the stated line size, which really helps turn over the indicator and fly/flies. I have caught hundreds of fish on my current Rio Grande line and it casts beautifully and is holding up well.
 
clarkman said:
I've started just using my Airflo Streamer Float. It works amazingly well. The head is just short enough where it's easy to shoot line on a roll-cast or spey-style cast yet also just long enough to mend at distance. Not only that, but it's perfect for fishing weighted streamers. Not only that, but during the handful of times I had to throw on a dry, it actually worked perfectly for that too.

I'm primarily fishing rivers, but I'll use it for lake work as well.
Click to expand...
The streamer float and the nymph/indicator Airflo lines are essentially the same line.

My indicator lines are of the SA variety now.
 
Sierra Trading Post has been a go to for decades... Lamson reels at half price, endless deals on lines, leaders, tippet, waders, tools, etc...one of my fave King rods, an 11' Mystic 9 wt switch, was 60% off...and Swimmy can score all the shorts he wants there, have some with 4" inseams for that cooling breeze..lol
 
I use any floating line I have to fish an indicator. I do like a my Rio indicator line, it turns the junk over better than a standard floating line, but, hey,... any floating line will do with the right finesse. I'll use 9-10 foot rods.
 
im older and cheaper. I get the $15 (maxcatch) lines off Amazon, clean and treat them w mucelin during ice-over.
I primarily fish my 10' 4wt, with a 5wt line on it.
My current line is on season 5....
 
Evan B said:
The streamer float and the nymph/indicator Airflo lines are essentially the same line.

My indicator lines are of the SA variety now.
Click to expand...

That's funny....I never really noticed....even though I use the 8wt indi for some winter steelhead work if I'm not swinging/stripping.
 
That Sierra deal on the SA GPX made my choice pretty easy. Three lines for the price of one. I picked up a 4, 5, and 6 weight. Should be good for another 5 years.

I bought a 5 weight GPX floater from Avid Angler when they were located on 15th near Northgate in Seattle around 1997. Cost me $50 back then :ROFLMAO: The most I’d paid for a line at the time.
 
troutpocket said:
That Sierra deal on the SA GPX made my choice pretty easy. Three lines for the price of one. I picked up a 4, 5, and 6 weight. Should be good for another 5 years.

I bought a 5 weight GPX floater from Avid Angler when they were located on 15th near Northgate in Seattle around 1997. Cost me $50 back then :ROFLMAO: The most I’d paid for a line at the time.
Click to expand...
I bought a 4 weight GPX over a year ago based on @iveofione ’s recommendation and heads up. That deal has been going for a long time. Do they just have a huge stockpile of them at STP? I don’t know how it works. Great line though at a very reasonable price.
 
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