Zen Outfitters Silk Fly Lines

Cliff

Cliff

Steelhead
Good morning,
'
Does anyone here have first hand experience with silk fly lines from Zen Outfitters, of Idaho? How do they compare with Terenzio, Phoenix, and similar lines? I think they're beautiful lines, but I don't know anyone who owns one. I've been fishing Cadno, Thebault and lesser quality lines for many years and I would like to look at buying a new line. A big plus would be spending the money locally.

Thanks,
Cliff

Zen Outfitters: https://zenoutfitters.com/silk-fly-lines
 
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Cliff said:
Good morning,
'
Does anyone here have first hand experience with silk fly lines from Zen Outfitters, of Idaho? How do they compare with Terenzio, Phoenix, and similar lines? I think they're beautiful lines, but I don't know anyone who owns one. I've been fishing Cadno, Thebault and lesser quality lines for many years and I would like to look at buying a new line. A big plus would be spending the money locally.

Thanks,
Cliff

Zen Outfitters: https://zenoutfitters.com/silk-fly-lines
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Looks interesting Cliff.

What's been your experience fishing a silk line or bamboo versus fishing a made for bamboo line like a 406 or Wulff Bamboo or Cortland Sylk?
 
Dave, I've never fished any newer synthetic lines like the 406, Wulff or Sylk, so I wouldn't be able to offer an opinion. The one and only modern line I've used with bamboo is the old Cortland "peach" lines. I always thought it was a good casting line for bamboo, but since I started fishing silk lines I only use synthetic lines when I'm trolling from my tube with graphite rods.
 
I had no idea they made silk lines... I was thinking I was going to have to make one myself to go with my gut leaders. I'll have to check out their website.
 
No experience with the Zen silk fly line, but I did try one of his furled leaders. I tried their "Nymph/Wet Fly" version and although it seemed to be well made and it cast and laid out nicely, I found it was extremely visible in clear water. I don't know if that ever cost me any fish, but I quit using it.

I do use a Terenzio artificial silk fly line and really like it. Less maintenance than a real silk line (guess I'm lazy), but after it's broken in it casts beautifully.

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Just my experience, but I use Cortland Sylk DT on my 5wt cane rod. Casts really well and the cost was in line with other "synthetic" lines. They don't make a 7wt DT in Sylk so I use Cortland 444 for my 7wt cane. It casts well too. I suspect that blaming the line for a poor cast is like a golfer yelling at his club face for a hook, or a slice.
 
Cliff, there is a Silk Line Forum on Facebook where Jaime Chriswisser "Zen" has been posting updates on his lines and others have been reviewing them since they have been available.

I sure like the idea of being able to specify a custom taper instead of generic DT, WF or Level. Although Terenzio does offer a greater variety of tapers than most other makers.
 
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Tim Cottage said:
Cliff, there is a Silk Line Forum on Facebook where Jaime Chriswisser "Zen" has been posting updates on his lines and others have been reviewing them since they have been available.

I sure like the idea of being able to specify a custom taper instead of generic DT, WF or Level. Although Terenzio does offer a greater variety of tapers than most other makers.
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Hi Tim, nice to hear from you. I'm on that FB page but I didn't want to ask for opinions on this line there because Jaime has such a strong presence on that page. I felt that might skew responses. Maybe I should. I use his furled leaders regularly and I've interacted with him before, a real nice guy. I seem to recall that you had been using a Terenzio line before. I like that versatility, also. My go-to is an older Cadno 5DT made by Stuart Todd years ago. At one time Stuart would do a line for you that was WF on one end and DT on the other. Take care.
Cliff
 
Greg Armstrong said:
No experience with the Zen silk fly line, but I did try one of his furled leaders. I tried their "Nymph/Wet Fly" version and although it seemed to be well made and it cast and laid out nicely, I found it was extremely visible in clear water. I don't know if that ever cost me any fish, but I quit using it.

I do use a Terenzio artificial silk fly line and really like it. Less maintenance than a real silk line (guess I'm lazy), but after it's broken in it casts beautifully.

View attachment 13391
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Beautiful rig, thanks.
 
Cliff said:
Hi Tim, nice to hear from you. I'm on that FB page but I didn't want to ask for opinions on this line there because Jaime has such a strong presence on that page. I felt that might skew responses. Maybe I should. I use his furled leaders regularly and I've interacted with him before, a real nice guy. I seem to recall that you had been using a Terenzio line before. I like that versatility, also. My go-to is an older Cadno 5DT made by Stuart Todd years ago. At one time Stuart would do a line for you that was WF on one end and DT on the other. Take care.
Cliff
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Hi Cliff, probably a good idea not to ask for opinions on that forum for the reasons you mentioned. Maybe you could contact people off the forum somehow.

I use a Terenzio DT, 5 wt. It weighs out at about 5 1/4 and a Cadno DT 4wt that turns one of my rods into a magic wand. I really don't need another one but Terenzio has a long belly WF that I'm lusting after.
 
Tim Cottage said:
Hi Cliff, probably a good idea not to ask for opinions on that forum for the reasons you mentioned. Maybe you could contact people off the forum somehow.

I use a Terenzio DT, 5 wt. It weighs out at about 5 1/4 and a Cadno DT 4wt that turns one of my rods into a magic wand. I really don't need another one but Terenzio has a long belly WF that I'm lusting after.
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I'll have to look at Terenzio lines again. Regarding the silk line page, I'll find someone who has left a post about Zen lines and then contact them by messenger. Appreciate it!
 
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