Fishing The Fly Scotland
Index => Tackle Talk => Topic started by: Mike Barrio on 05/03/2013 at 15:27
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Sandy and I were playing with SLX lines on his Bamboo rods yesterday, great fun! :cool:
The rods certainly cast well with this line profile.
Here is Sandy at the loch yesterday.
(http://fishingthefly.co.uk/sandy-040313.jpg)
(http://fishingthefly.co.uk/sandy-040313b.jpg)
(http://fishingthefly.co.uk/sandy-040313c.jpg)
Of course I had to have a play too :z3
(http://fishingthefly.co.uk/mike-040313a.jpg)
and experiment with line carry :cool: when I was supposed to be clearing up and baling out boats :z4
(http://fishingthefly.co.uk/mike-040313.jpg)
Cheers
Mike
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Was it a 4wt Mike?
I've tried it with a 4 and it is nice - haven't tried a 3 yet.
Iain
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Yes Iain, SLX WF4F on a #5 rod :wink
I think Sandy has worked out that his rods like the lower weight in an SLX, so if the rod likes a normal WF5F and DT4F ...... then it likes the SLX WF4F.
Cheers
Mike
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I'd try the 3wt on your rod Iain :z16,
The taper you have is a 4wt with a lighter dry fly tip, i have a fancy it will love the 3wt SLX. Worth trying both though to see. Each rod is slightly different but that light dryfly tip really does load up very quickly :z16.
Sandy
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Yeah, I was going to use the 'boo when I was out on Sunday so will give it a try sometime over the weekend :z16
It does like a 4 wt though.
Iain
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It was designed for a 4 :z16 So that is no surprise :z7
It was just my new one is designed for a 5 and when i was messing about i tried it with the 4wt SLX and it was a revelation.
The rod still likes the 5wt and the Mallard 5 but it really feels awesome with the 4wt SLX. So something i think you should give a try :z16
Sandy
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Cool
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Good report chaps. :z16
Turns out that my Greys bamboo #3/4 actually likes a #4.5. The SLX #4 was just a bit light but the Orvis Power taper was just right.
I'll bring it along to the Orvis day to try some other lines.
(Might be after a new Battenkill 2 Ben :wink)
:z1
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That actually makes a lot of sense.
I've just gone through my notes and found the graphs for your rod and I have it as 4/5wt
And a taper somewhere between a classic Payne 100 and Paul Young perfectionist, both designed for a DT 4.
FYI it is like the top half of the Young with the butt section off the Payne, although it is very similar to both rods and a touch faster than my recent Garrison based rods. So I can see exactly where you are coming from, it might well be looking for a little bit more weight to load at fishing distances, but I would reckon on the 4wt SLX being rather nice on it, especially when you find it's sweet spot :wink
:z18
Sandy
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Oh Sandy, you probably just cost me money... :z4 :z4 :z4 :z4
I'll take it with me so we can conduct tests. Looking forward to this :z16
:z1
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I'd try the 3wt on your rod Iain :z16,
The taper you have is a 4wt with a lighter dry fly tip, i have a fancy it will love the 3wt SLX. Worth trying both though to see. Each rod is slightly different but that light dryfly tip really does load up very quickly :z16.
Have thought about 'underlining' a SLX or GT90 particularly on the Streamflex XF2's, but then I watched Ben and Kev toss great loops and distances with a Rio LT DT #4 and a 9' #4 XF2 and re-evaluated ! I mainly use (for dries) a Helios 10' #4 and a Access 9' #4, both Tip Flex. Is it worth trying a #3 SLX on these do you think (have just bought an Olive #4 SLX too) ?
Cheers,
Lindsay
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...sorry just realised you are all talking about Bamboo rods here and I am off topic. Question still stands though, esp. as SLX is slightly higher than standard AFTM ? Anyone tried 'underlining' the SLX on 'normal' rods :z4
Lindsay
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hi Lindsay,
yes, unless there's a need of throwing heavier/bulkier flies or fishing very close i vastly prefer underlining the rod's rating by one class with the SLX on just about all rods. it's personal of course but that's where the 'sweet-spot' happens for me :)
cheers,
marc
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Cool, cheers Marc. Will have to try it ! :z16 Looks like I need yet another Barrio line then :z4 Out of interest, do you do the same (underline) with a GT90 or do you match ratings ?
Lindsay
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well, generally speaking i'm a chronic 'under-liner' :z4
but if we want to get into specifics, comparing the SLX to the GT90 is a little like comparing apples to oranges. the SLX is purposely built to be a heavier line. it's one of the reasons that makes it such a fantastic line for rolls and speys.
the GT90 can of course do r&s but really shines for aerial casting. in aerial casts we don't necessarily need the majority of the line's mass near the rod tip as with r&s.
my set-up for general trout is one spool with a GT90, basically for upstream and another with an SLX for across or down.
once again, personal preference but the simple rig above lets me fish any which way and cover all possibilities on the stream and change them in a matter of a few minutes :cool:
cheers,
marc
ps- regardless of what the rod is made of.... :z4 :z4 :z4
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...sorry just realised you are all talking about Bamboo rods here and I am off topic. Question still stands though, esp. as SLX is slightly higher than standard AFTM ? Anyone tried 'underlining' the SLX on 'normal' rods :z4
Lindsay
I have a #4 and a #5 SLX, bought for the same numbered rods, both Orvis ZG tip flex 9 footers.
The #5 feels heavy on the #5 rod, so I tried the #4, and it works beautifully.
I used the #5 line on a Diamondback Flawless 9' 6" #6 and again, it felt much better for normal fishing.
I go back to the #5 rod and line combination if fishing large bushy/foam dries as it "punches" the fly forward with a short line.
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Cool its all interesting stuff.
I've been using the 4wt SLX on my 9ft S4 4wt Must go and try the 3wt on it now, just to see.
Must confess i do use a DT3 on it too :z8 so just perhaps :roll .
I guess its more good reasons to try before you buy, or perhaps why we end up with loads of gear and only use certain bits, i think i can see a theme here :X1
Sandy
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Thanks for all the comments guys, lots to think about there ! Looks like a #3 SLX might be worth a shout, but then the #4 SLX seemed fine on both the 4wt Helios and Access, the 4wt Mallard fantastic with Access :z16 Also, you guys that are under-lining can actually cast ! :oops
Lindsay
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Also, you guys that are under-lining can actually cast ! :oops
Not me!!!
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Not me!!!
I bet you cast better than me :wink
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OOI is anyone 'underlining' with the Mallard DT's ? I really like DT lines, esp. Rio LT Trout which the Mallard almost matches in tapers. Although I bought a #3 GT90 for my new Streamflex Plus #3, I am considering a Mallard DT #2 as 'the line' for this rod to give an 'ultralight feel' but with good control with more line out ? Haven't tried the new SF with the GT90 #3 yet though so may hold off pulling the trigger till I do so. However, a #4 GT90 on 9' 4wt SF does start to work the rod (much) more as you aerialize more line eg. tip doesn't recover as well, which is no real surprise ! Strangely a DT Mastery didn't feel oot of control ??? The new SF's are not as whippy a the old model, more a progressive mid to tip action, but with a big troot (yes I catch them from time to time :wink) you can feel the rod bend right down to the butt.
At £22 it's hardly going to have a bad outcome is it ? :wink
Folly ? Stick to proper AFTM ratings ? Put on a Mallard WF #3 ? If I can get to the Orvis open day I will bring this stuff along for the experts.
Lindsay
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Lindz
If a rod suits a WF4 then i would be trying it with a DT3, i have always underlined by 1 when it comes to DT's
I also reckons the SLX should be used in the same size as the DT.
I have a history of underlining rods, but then i also have a history of preferring DT's
So i'd say get a DT2 and give it a go :z16
:z18
Sandy
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Hi Sandy,
If a rod suits a WF4 then i would be trying it with a DT3, i have always underlined by 1 when it comes to DT's
When fishing at what range?
Cheers
Ben
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Fishing range, 10-60ft i suppose :z16
But then i also tend to cast off the tip (unless i'm on a nice soft rod, which is why i like them :z7), so it is largely a personal quirk, Still worth trying though :z16
Sandy
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Cheers Sandy, I would consider that a more than workable range, but I can see where Ben is coming from !
Lindsay
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Fishing range, 10-60ft i suppose :z16
Interesting perspective Sandy, what benefit do you get from doing this?
50' ish cast with no shoot using a #5 GT90 or GT125 or Orvis Trout, Snowbee XS.....
9' rod, 12' leader, 30' of flyline outside of the tip approx 140 grains of line
Same distance with DT4 approx 120 grains
Same rod for those distances would perform the same with a DT5 or WF5, the only time there would be a difference would be once you started to cast off back tapers of WF lines and the big difference would come with carries that were greater than that fishing range. Going down one for a DT only reduces the mass you have available to cast and carry leader and fly. Does this not make the same cast more difficult particularly when fishing at below 50'?
Cheers
Ben
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Don't know what the benefit is Ben, but I've often found the same as Sandy with some #4 and #5 rods ..... it just feels right sometimes :cool:
Cheers
Mike
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Don't know what the benefit is Ben, but I've often found the same as Sandy with some #4 and #5 rods ..... it just feels right sometimes :cool:
Cheers
Mike
Think I'd have to try it Mike :z4
Struggling to get my head around this one. A certain weight of line works a certain rod nicely within a specified range of distances but because the profile of the line that is still on the reel is different, it feels better to go down a size :z8 Can't see how it would (or should) work really, I'm prepared to give it a go sometime though!
Cheers
Ben
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hi Ben,
this guy will explain why a DT is better. :z4
xxxxxxxxxxxxx
cheers,
marc
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Oh no, not that one again Marc ZX3
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Don't read into it too much Ben, most rods feel fine with a line weight above or below their rating ...... and which one of those three lines feels nice to use on the rod at the time is I guess, a personal thing?
Cheers
Mike
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Cheers Sandy, I would consider that a more than workable range, but I can see where Ben is coming from !
So can I :z16 and i know he is right, But i can't explain why i like it that way, probably for the same reason i like Whangy noodly rods and short Ginger haired girls with medium sized breasts. It just feels right :z7
:z18
Sandy
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probably for the same reason i like Whangy noodly rods and short Ginger haired girls with medium sized breasts. It just feels right
:lol (wipes tea from chin & jumper)
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But i can't explain why i like it that way, probably for the same reason i like Whangy noodly rods and short Ginger haired girls with medium sized breasts. It just feels right :z7
(http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/gallery/3732_22_03_13_12_16_39.jpeg) (http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=407)
The weather always seemed better no matter how bad it was when this lady presented it. Now a successful historical author so a bright girl too...ta for the underlining advice !
L
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Stop it......... :z13
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Steady now, i'll put an end to all this......................i've also got Ginger Hair and medium sized breasts, well ok Strawberry Blonde (my mum told me and she disnae tell lies) and a pair of expanding moobs if truth be told, but nearly fits the description (for what hair i have left). :z4 :z4 :z4 :z4 :z4 :z4 :z4 :z4 :z4 :z4
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Steady now, i'll put an end to all this......................i've also got Ginger Hair and medium sized breasts, well ok Strawberry Blonde (my mum told me and she disnae tell lies) and a pair of expanding moobs if truth be told, but nearly fits the description (for what hair i have left).
Sandy,
Get yer coat you've pulled! :z7
:z1
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As tempting as it sounds, i think he might be over qualified :z7
Besides the other Fiery Freckeled Funbump in my life might get a touch green eyed. :z4 :z4
Sandy
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Okay, I am done with frivolity, it is for my Streamflex XF2 Plus 9'6 #3 so either a Mallard DT#2.....or do I plump for an SLX#3 ? The latter would also allow me to underline on all my other river rods :z18 My instinct is the SLX.
Lindsay
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Your instinct serves you well.......................
H :wink
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I'd go with that too :z16 I find it very hard to see past the SLX these days. and have them fitted to all my river spools, in different colours for different jobs. Worth trying them out in different sizes, but i guess with a 3 wt rod you don't have much option and it certainley won't be a line heavier :z18
I'll have a nice Bamboo for you try with it if we meet down the river sometime. :wink
Sandy
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I'll have a nice Bamboo for you try with it if we meet down the river sometime. :wink
Cool dude ! :z16
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I can Happily report that after this afternoons fishing, My 7ft 6" 4wt Bamboo absolutely adores the 3wt SLX :z16 as suspected.
On the Ythan i could cover all the water with a roll, not bad on a 7ft6" rod and i could bend it into all the bits i wanted to get the fly :z16
When i did need to shoot it, it just went and the presentation was all under control.
very cool way to start the season, new lines, and a good dollop of anticipation :z18
Sandy
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i guess there weren't many fish involved... :X2
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Not for the want of trying :roll
Still waiting to see a trout rise :z8
Sandy
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maybe best to fish with yer eyes closed... (with nymphs) :z4 :z4 :z4