Short Belly lines with changeable tips

[JS]

I wish I had more disposable income, bc I’d like to have that Zone in more configurations. I have the F1 right now in 500gr., and a coastal in similar (I think 475) that’s the intermediate/sink 3 and it sinks like a rock for those tight short runs. I need the zone in that configuration too.

 

[Creatch’r]

I wish I had more disposable income, bc I’d like to have that Zone in more configurations. I have the F1 right now in 500gr., and a coastal in similar (I think 475) that’s the intermediate/sink 3 and it sinks like a rock for those tight short runs. I need the zone in that configuration too.

I have the H1 zone 575 and I love it. Absolutely rips. Usually fish 15’ rio tips in 9wt but was recently using 12’ t11 and it was firing too. Killer line for winter steel.

 

[the_grube]

You will be fine.
And will have it soon, Poppy must have connections.

So they shipped me just the head -- apparently they do have the connections, then they shipped me the whole kit with a free label to ship back the head to them. A++ so far for customer service. Hope to feel good enough to fish it this weekend; will report back after I get it wet.

 

[Yard Sale]

So they shipped me just the head -- apparently they do have the connections, then they shipped me the whole kit with a free label to ship back the head to them. A++ so far for customer service. Hope to feel good enough to fish it this weekend; will report back after I get it wet.

Just good people. And the fly tying section...

 

[the_grube]

Got the EMT out and fished it today. Really happy with the purchase, just what I was looking for; something I can easily cast tips and largish flies with splash and go casts.

 

[skyrise]

So let me ask this, are the Nextcast and Bridge the best two brands of lines we can buy ? And Airflo , SA, Rio etc just second class brands ? In other words should I always look at Nextcast and Bridge first before even thinking of buying those other brands ?
Also do I really need a FIST type line (float, intermediate, sink) ?
I have a much older Airflo one but in doesn’t cast very well for me.

 

[the_grube]

So let me ask this, are the Nextcast and Bridge the best two brands of lines we can buy ? And Airflo , SA, Rio etc just second class brands ? In other words should I always look at Nextcast and Bridge first before even thinking of buying those other brands ?
Also do I really need a FIST type line (float, intermediate, sink) ?
I have a much older Airflo one but in doesn’t cast very well for me.

3 questions in there

1. In a word I'd say "no"... longer explanation would be that the best line is the one that works best for you and what you're trying to do.
2. FIST lines solve problems, but aren't ideal for every situation. It really depends what you're trying to do.
3. WRT the casting problem with your rod and line you'll need to be more specific, what rods, what line, what is the problem?

Erich

 

[Salmo_g]

Also do I really need a FIST type line (float, intermediate, sink) ?

I don't know if you need one, but I have been getting along without such a line forever. And I don't feel the least bit handicapped for lack of one. When I'm not using a traditional floating Spey line, I use older style Rio "beer can" taper Skagit lines with sink tips. They seem very effective for sunk fly fishing. I have a couple shorter Skagit Max heads, but because they are shorter, I have to make an extra two strips of shooting line every cast to fish the same length that I do with the older, longer Skagit heads.

 

[Pink Nighty]

I don't know if you need one, but I have been getting along without such a line forever. And I don't feel the least bit handicapped for lack of one. When I'm not using a traditional floating Spey line, I use older style Rio "beer can" taper Skagit lines with sink tips. They seem very effective for sunk fly fishing. I have a couple shorter Skagit Max heads, but because they are shorter, I have to make an extra two strips of shooting line every cast to fish the same length that I do with the older, longer Skagit heads.

I've been short Skagit only, even on long rods. Your last sentence is something I've been finding myself considering recently, and realizing the situations where <25 ft lines are a real hindrance to fishing efficiently.

 

[DerekWhipple]

I've been short Skagit only, even on long rods. Your last sentence is something I've been finding myself considering recently, and realizing the situations where <25 ft lines are a real hindrance to fishing efficiently.

How long rod are you using and how short line? I just got a longer rod (14'4") and I have started experimenting with it. Do you use lots of overhang? 12'+ sink tips?

 

[Pink Nighty]

How long rod are you using and how short line? I just got a longer rod (14'4") and I have started experimenting with it. Do you use lots of overhang? 12'+ sink tips?

I'm currently at 13'8 and I wanna say 25ft line but I'm not 100%. Lengthening leader and overhang for sure, probably a foot of additional overhang and a couple feet of leader. I also have mostly been using 10ft tips (I had an 11'8 rod stolen that most of my kit was built on) and just picked up a 15ft mow and am excited to see how that performs.

 

[Creatch’r]

I'm currently at 13'8 and I wanna say 25ft line but I'm not 100%. Lengthening leader and overhang for sure, probably a foot of additional overhang and a couple feet of leader. I also have mostly been using 10ft tips (I had an 11'8 rod stolen that most of my kit was built on) and just picked up a 15ft mow and am excited to see how that performs.

What grain skagit head are you fishing? I might have some lines you could try out.

 

[Pink Nighty]

What grain skagit head are you fishing? I might have some lines you could try out.

You're kind, but right now they'd gather dust here. When I'm ready to plunge, I'll turn here first! 550 fwiw

 

[Creatch’r]

Finally was able to order a Bridge Wintertide 550gr and I’m looking forward to casting it soon. Several fly shops recently restocked so if you have been waiting to try a Bridge product now is your chance before they sell out again.

 

[Creatch’r]

You're kind, but right now they'd gather dust here. When I'm ready to plunge, I'll turn here first! 550 fwiw

Same grain window as my 8133 so I have a bunch of lines you could try that might suit the big river better.

 

[_WW_]

Maybe this is relevant. After years of using 540 and 550 grain bellies on my 8wts I have bumped up to 570, 575. I'm loving it! It seems to take less effort to make the same cast. I prefer short bellies around 20' with 15' tips in the 9-10wt size.

I like the short bellies for high banking to keep the D loop out of the brush and rather than change up I just use 'em all the time. I'm one of those long casters wherever I can get away with it. I'm not trying to catch fish out there, I just want the fly to be as far away from me and my noisy feet as possible when it swings in to the bucket. Although, on occasion, I get bit out there, it's nothing to pin your hopes on. More of a happy circumstance.

 

[Creatch’r]

I fished the wintertide yesterday for several runs. The 550gr on my 8133 Burkie with a 15’ 9wt type 3 was a good match. Will it replace my Zone? Not sure about that yet, I need to cast it more and iron out overhang and anchor placement a little better.

 

[the_grube]

I fished the wintertide yesterday for several runs. The 550gr on my 8133 Burkie with a 15’ 9wt type 3 was a good match. Will it replace my Zone? Not sure about that yet, I need to cast it more and iron out overhang and anchor placement a little better.

I've never used anything but T-material behind a skagit head. How is the energy transfer, does the tip roll out nicely? One of the issues I had with my Gaelforce EMT was hinging at the head to tip connection -- I found that backing off the power a git solved it. I was using 90ft of energy for a 70ft cast. I think you can also get hinging when the relative stiffness of the head and the tip are dis-similar (or if the loop to loop is sloppy)

 

[Creatch’r]

I've never used anything but T-material behind a skagit head. How is the energy transfer, does the tip roll out nicely? One of the issues I had with my Gaelforce EMT was hinging at the head to tip connection -- I found that backing off the power a git solved it. I was using 90ft of energy for a 70ft cast. I think you can also get hinging when the relative stiffness of the head and the tip are dis-similar (or if the loop to loop is sloppy)

The tip rolls out really nicely with the wintertide if I’m hitting everything right. That mostly wasn’t a problem except when I got a little lazy. My body mechanics have been on autopilot for the shorter more aggressive Zone this season and I felt myself slipping back into the quicker paced timing when I wasn’t paying attention. Those casts would dump the tip in a pile or not clear all my running line tight to the reel.

What tips are you fishing on the EMT? On the big water I’m fishing I like the 15’ Rio tips or if I need more grains OPST 12’ tips in 132gr. The zone can handle the heavier tip but not the wintertide, at least in my hands.