WF8F recommendations.........

Buzzy · Oct 17, 2022

Last month while fishing in Alaska, my Rio Grande WF8F looked like this one evening:

Fortunately I had a brand new unused Rio Single Handed Spey (slick cast) WF8F - it worked really well for casting big, heavy rabbit strip flies. But (always a but?) I want to replace the more typical WF8F for casual use (carp) where I'm typically not casting great distances or big, heavy flies. Thoughts? Recommendations appreciated.

clarkman · Oct 17, 2022

Buzzy, my all around 8wt line is still a little over only because I like it to be useful for all sorts of stuff, but it handles everything. Airflo Nymph line. If I need a more delicate presentation, I just extend my leader. But it also rocks in every situation I've put it through. I also really like the Airflo Streamer float line too but it only goes up to 7wt but it's also overweighted and I'll use that with my 8wt and it works there very well as well.

gpt · Oct 17, 2022

i don't use WF lines in fresh water. try a DT of any brand you choose and be a happy easy casting camper.

Long_Rod_Silvers · Oct 17, 2022

The SA Amplitude Anadro is solid. Mends awesome. Shoots good. Good all around line. It's a half size heavy I believe.
I really like it for moving water for how well it mends.

Dr. Magill · Oct 17, 2022

Long_Rod_Silvers said:
The SA Amplitude Anadro is solid. Mends awesome. Shoots good. Good all around line. It's a half size heavy I believe.
I really like it for moving water for how well it mends.

Agree
I fish their 6wt
Very happy with it

Buzzy · Oct 17, 2022

gpt said:
i don't use WF lines in fresh water. try a DT of any brand you choose and be a happy easy casting camper.

You're a far better caster than I am to get a DT 80+ feet out with a size 2 tungsten barbell eye rabbit strip leech.

Stonedfish · Oct 17, 2022

Maybe the SA Sonar Titan floater?
Not delicate, but will turn over stuff and good in the wind.
SF

rattlesnake · Oct 17, 2022

Big fan of SA - the infinity is nice and probably close ish to a grande. I haven’t used the mpx in an 8, but like it a lot in smaller sizes.

Also not sure the temps you’re fishing in but the bass bug or an infinity salt could be nice. I have been fishing both for bass and realy
Like them. I have some slower and older 8s (st croix clouser, b2x) and they actually fish nicer with an undersized bass bug, a 6wt on an 8wt. So not to overly complicate it but a 7wt bass bug could be good for ya too.

Wetswinger · Oct 18, 2022

Triangle Taper Short - Bass

Designed to load quickly and punch out big, wind-resistant flies and poppers, these floating Triangle Tapers are built for high-speed deliveries to lily pads or old stumps, wherever big bass are found. And they can be fished right back to the boat, then redelivered with a minimum of false casts...

royalwulff.com

I'm a big fan of the easy casting Wulff TT lines...

Matt B · Oct 18, 2022

I cheaped out and bought a $30 SA Air Cel WF line in 9 weight for "casual" 8 weight use (bass and salmon). I like it just fine for an all-purpose line.

I'm not sure who, if anyone, even makes an 8 weight double taper any more.

Long_Rod_Silvers · Oct 18, 2022

Matt B said:
I cheaped out and bought a $30 SA Air Cel WF line in 9 weight for "casual" 8 weight use (bass and salmon). I like it just fine for an all-purpose line.

I'm not sure who, if anyone, even makes an 8 weight double taper any more.

Cortland still makes the 444 peach in a DT8.

Mike Ediger · Oct 18, 2022

Long_Rod_Silvers said:
The SA Amplitude Anadro is solid. Mends awesome. Shoots good. Good all around line. It's a half size heavy I believe.
I really like it for moving water for how well it mends.

I think it is actually like 1.5 sizes heavy, which doesn't matter if you like how it casts, and I do especially for indicators and bigger stuff. I don't have an 8wt, but you (Buzzy) said you aren't casting big stuff. In my 5wt and 6wt, I don't love the Amp-Andadro for dries and smaller nymphs. It just isn't going to be subtle if you are trying to quietly drop stuff over spooky carp, at least not with my experience in the lighter weights. Again, 8wt may be different.

Buzzy · Oct 18, 2022

Mike Ediger said:
I think it is actually like 1.5 sizes heavy, which doesn't matter if you like how it casts, and I do especially for indicators and bigger stuff. I don't have an 8wt, but you (Buzzy) said you aren't casting big stuff. In my 5wt

For carp, I usually am not casting big, heavy flies and certianly not looking for distance as (at least for me) I'm sight casting short distances......... but my Alaska trip was eye opening for hucking big, heavty flies and at times needing to cast further than my skills allowed. So it seems I need multiple lines, that nice line for short casts (the DT maybe) and that heavy WF for big, heavy soaking wet rabbit strip leeches that need to be cast DISTANCE.

Thanks all for the suggestions. I suppose 8 weight fly lines are like boats? One boat is never enough.

SurfnFish · Oct 18, 2022

first place I look when needing a new flyline..the better lines tend to go quick

Fishing & Fly Lines: Average savings of 50% at Sierra

24 styles of Fishing & Fly Lines from Rio Products, Airflo, Scientific Anglers, and more at Sierra. Celebrating 30 Years Of Exploring.

www.sierra.com

mcswny · Oct 18, 2022

SurfnFish said:
first place I look when needing a new flyline..the better lines tend to go quick

Fishing & Fly Lines: Average savings of 50% at Sierra

24 styles of Fishing & Fly Lines from Rio Products, Airflo, Scientific Anglers, and more at Sierra. Celebrating 30 Years Of Exploring.

www.sierra.com

Second this!
Speaking of which, I just picked up an Airflo Streamer Max Short 8wt for $50, killer deal.

gpt · Oct 18, 2022

Buzzy said:
You're a far better caster than I am to get a DT 80+ feet out with a size 2 tungsten barbell eye rabbit strip leech.

not a problem.

gpt · Oct 18, 2022

Long_Rod_Silvers said:
Cortland still makes the 444 peach in a DT8.

still going strong for me.

gpt · Oct 18, 2022

Buzzy said:
For carp, I usually am not casting big, heavy flies and certianly not looking for distance as (at least for me) I'm sight casting short distances......... but my Alaska trip was eye opening for hucking big, heavty flies and at times needing to cast further than my skills allowed. So it seems I need multiple lines, that nice line for short casts (the DT maybe) and that heavy WF for big, heavy soaking wet rabbit strip leeches that need to be cast DISTANCE.

Thanks all for the suggestions. I suppose 8 weight fly lines are like boats? One boat is never enough.

my all time favorite summer steelhead run required at least 80' casts with my DT-F-8. this never presented a problem for me, flies on #4 hooks. now moving into salt and really big fish, the saltwater WF comes into play, all 105' of it.

Buzzy · Oct 18, 2022

gpt said:
my all time favorite summer steelhead run required at least 80' casts with my DT-F-8. this never presented a problem for me, flies on #4 hooks. now moving into salt and really big fish, the saltwater WF comes into play, all 105' of it.

Like I said, you're a better caster than me. Thanks for the input.

clarkman · Oct 18, 2022

Buzzy said:
Last month while fishing in Alaska, my Rio Grande WF8F looked like this one evening:
View attachment 37081
Fortunately I had a brand new unused Rio Single Handed Spey (slick cast) WF8F - it worked really well for casting big, heavy rabbit strip flies. But (always a but?) I want to replace the more typical WF8F for casual use (carp) where I'm typically not casting great distances or big, heavy flies. Thoughts? Recommendations appreciated.

You're in luck....if you want to try it out