Stillwater indicator line

[Guy Gregory]

Tossing an indicator with a chironomid or balanced leech on a reasonable length leader , say 12 feet, with my 4 weight is a PITA.

Have any of you recommendations for a non-RIO stillwater indicator line? I've read Phil's stuff (and others), but I've had poor luck with RIO lines on several fronts, and would prefer a different brand choice. I, like all of us, would like distance, accuracy, and longevity. Thanks.

 

[Sam Roffe]

I really don't remember what I use,... probably RIO, but, I have it paired up with a 10' 5wt line. I almost feel like 4wt and below will not give a person the faster action needed to get the distance.

I would give Cortland or Scientific Angler a try. If you 4wt is fast enough, maybe over line it with a 5wt line.

That's my 2 cents worth, and I know that's all it's worth.

 

[Porter2]

In past three years I have bought two Cortland lines and have been impressed.
The last one was the trout finesse ii which has been a do all everything type line. They have an indicator line but I have no knowledge of its performance.

And of course the real peach is the 444.

 

[SurfnFish]

I have a 5 wt SA MPX I don't use, if you want to give it a try message me your mailing address and it's yours.

 

[Long_Rod_Silvers]

Do that !

 

[troutpocket]

SA GPX and similar lines have been my favorites for lake bobbercatin’. They run a little heavy, which helps.

 

[Matt B]

SA GPX and similar lines have been my favorites for lake bobbercatin’. They run a little heavy, which helps.

I had the same thought, but they’re long discontinued and it seems sierra has finally run out of them. MPX is the new version.

 

[troutpocket]

Yeah, I still have a collection of GPX lines. The “and similar” qualifier was intended to cover whatever lines fill that niche currently.

 

[FishyJere]

I have gone to SA indicator with good results. They straighten out, unlike Rio, and turn over the assembly on the line at the end. No need for long casts, get the smooth line.

 

[Ronbow]

A second on the SA Amplitude. With a 10' rod, extra length brings roll cast into play. Go with smooth; am told the textured casts further but it is annoyingly noisy.
I have Rio on Dually 3# and it is great for turning over long leaders, but overkill on any fish under 16" and less than 15' of leader.

 

[Bambooflyguy]

I swear by Cortland Sylk lines….especially for bamboo!

 

[SurfnFish]

sent the line to Guy...just an FYI, have had good experience cutting back budget STP overweight lines to match a rod, for a fave 10' 5 wt trimmed a 6wt WF back a few feet and it worked really well for indy.

 

[Guy Gregory]

Thanks, sir!

 

[chrome/22]

I'm not much help. I'm using Phil's indicator line on a fast action 9.5' six weight, it's been working fine for me. I run a lot of Rio lines

 

[Para_Adams]

Last week I was casting, or rather, trying to cast, an 18' leader with bobber 2' from my fly line and a weighted bugger at the end. Probably looked like a drunk baby stork trying to get that weighted bugger airborne and heading out at least 30'. There may be some folks who have the knack for doing that, not me. So I've given up all hopes of looking classy and now overline my 9' 5 weight with a 6 wt and next time will get even more aggressive with a 6wt Rio Grand.

 

[Salmo_g]

sent the line to Guy...just an FYI, have had good experience cutting back budget STP overweight lines to match a rod, for a fave 10' 5 wt trimmed a 6wt WF back a few feet and it worked really well for indy.

This makes sense to me. A traditionally tapered fly line is designed for casting nearly smallish flies with next to no weight nor bulk. Attaching an Ira-sized bobbercator immediately transforms and messes up the line design equation. I did a similar thing in my experiment with dirty azzed nymphing for steelhead. I bought a cheap STP overweight fly line and trimmed it back to accommodate an indicator, a couple split shot, and a bead or two. Now, why haven't I done that for trout gear where I do commonly bobbercate chironomids and balanced leeches?

 

[Bambooflyguy]

Last week I was casting, or rather, trying to cast, an 18' leader with bobber 2' from my fly line and a weighted bugger at the end. Probably looked like a drunk baby stork trying to get that weighted bugger airborne and heading out at least 30'. There may be some folks who have the knack for doing that, not me. So I've given up all hopes of looking classy and now overline my 9' 5 weight with a 6 wt and next time will get even more aggressive with a 6wt Rio Grand.

I’d move in closer to shallower water…..I agree not fun trying to cast that much! Ain’t happening with my sub 7’ Hotrodz…..