Fly Fishing

jeremy · Location: Portland, Maine

My friend Dave somehow ran across Airflo fly lines. He gave me one floating saltwater fly line for my reel when I was down in the keys fly fishing with him. He also gave me a floating trout fly line that I recently had put on my trout reel. I was curious if anyone else uses or has used Airflo fly lines and what they think. The saltwater line casts great and was perfect for warm water - however, when using it in colder water (spring striper fishing) it got kind of stiff. For all I know, it was a warm water fly line specifically designed for warm temperatures -- and as our water temps warm up here in the Northeast I am sure that line stiffness won't be such a problem. And, perhaps Airflo makes a Saltwater fly line that is good for both warmer and colder water saltwater applications? But, outside of water temperature issues - the fly line really performs nicely. The freshwater floating fly line was also nice casts dry flies nicely and good for nymphing too (I have a 5wt. line on a 5 wt. rod) .. I also, like the natural color tones on both the fresh and saltwater fly lines .. The saltwater is a natural brown'ish color and the trout line is a natural green/olive'ish color. Has anyone used any of the other models of lines for saltwater, freshwater, spey, sinking etc.. ? If so, curious to hear your thoughts .. Thanks.

ChrisR · Location: Southeast Massachusetts

Jeremy. I've been using the Airflo lines for salt this past season. Great line IMO. I'm considering getting some trout lines as well. The lines I got are specifically for cold water. One is the cold water intermediate ridged line. It is similar to the sharkskin concept in that it limits the resistance that the line has with the guides. The other that I have is a sinking. I know you are a big fan of the depth charge lines. You'd love how this line sinks quickly. I think it has a rate of 7 inches per second or something like that. The only drawback I found to the sinking line is that it is very thin and wants to tangle up more than other lines. The plus side is that I can throw it a mile. It casts further than any other line I have ever used. Both those lines stayed very soft in the colder water for me. I know that Saltwater Edge sells the cold water series. I actually picked the sinking one up from Beans in Freeport. Grab a cold water one and let me know what you think.

eastendfly · Location: East Hampton, NY

I have had a ton of experience with Airflo. I used to use anything I could get a hold of , SA, orvis, rio. but nothing lasted. Especially in the salt. In fact I have had a cold water striper intermediate blue line that is on its forth season and still casts like its out of the box. I think that the cold intermediate striper line is the best intermediate line I've thrown. As for the sinking lines I have had them tangle but not half as much as some other lines on the market. Airflo has a tip on their website that mentions line tangles and getting them out. As the last poster said the sinking lines cast a mile and they have a ton of sinking rates up to 700 grain, which I believe are even faster than 7 inches per second. They also now have a big game depth finder with a 50 lb core and is 150 feet long. This gets way down!!! Only used it a few days in Costa Rica for tarpon but it worked great.
Another great line in the 40 plus intermediate. This is a great casting shooting head line. Its also works well for beginner casters as it adds distance, because once the head gets out the tip the line shoots forever.
The floating lines are also nice but as Jeremy mentioned the cold salt line doesn't do well in the warm tropical water. I love the bonefish and tarpon lines which work up here in the northeast after a little stretching. And finally the trout lines.
I've only used the ridge trout lines, which are a neutral color but I have to say they are smooth and I have used them for nymphing and fishing dries. I haven't really fished them a ton but I've had no problems.

amanda · Location: East Hampton, NY

I am not a line connoisseur, but I do ONLY use airflo lines, as they hold up all season, and make almost anyone a decent caster. All of my clients have asked me what lines I use. Not many people carry them here, I have NO idea why.....the Cortalnd and Rio are lousy, do not hold up after continuous use.
Not knowing the science behind the design, I cannot tell you why they work so well, they just do ,and for me that is enough.
I wish someone would carry them around here ( new york).

Amanda

cfly · Location: Maine-Cape Cod-Fl Keys

I'm with Amanda on this one, Air flow line's rock!!!!!! I only use the tropical ridge down south for Tarpon -Permit and the Cold water striper lines are great!!!! I really like the ridge Cold water float for the skinny, cast just like my permit lines but handels the cool water well.

Capt.Ahab · Location: Lincoln Maine

Airflo makes the best lines out there hands down IMO. I have fished nothing but Airflo lines for three seasons now, and have been incredibly impressed with their performance, castability, durability, everything about them is great. I would not hesitate to buy another line from them for a second. In fact, I would go as far as saying I would not buy any other line at his point. I fish a 5 wt 'tactical trout', and a 6 wt 'distance taper' both in the fresh. The tactical trout has seen many more days on the water than the distance taper though, and is paired with a Winston BIIX, which is a dreamy combination. A good friend of mine fishes the salt a bit more than I do, and he has a few Airflo lines for the salt. I have cast them as well and they tell the same story...just brilliant casting. I'd recommend them to anyone.

captmike · Posted: Thu 09/10/09 10:17 am Post subject:

I just got the airflo cold water sinking. It's like the Depth charge with 30 foot of full sink and 90foot of intermediate running. So far I really like it. I had a rio full sink before this and the airflo is much better so far.

c-hip · Location: San Diego, California

I put an Airflo line on my 10 wt. before taking a trip to Florida. When I got home, I put it on my 6 weight and my 8 weight. It is the only line I have had where the performance was considerably noticeable. I have used Rio and SA lines previously.

norm289 · Location: SW PA

I have several Airflo lines and love every single one of them. Here is what Airflo lines I have and what I think. Sadly, no salt stuff but hoping that changes soon lol!

Supple Ridge Delta Taper 3wt, used on a 10' 3wt. This line is a great floater, mends easily, mainly use this setup for nymphing with or without indicators. I do throw dries and streamers when needed. I really like this line for general trout fishing. Shoots nice when I need a little extra distance.

The new Bass/Musky line 9wt, fished on a TFO Mini Mag. This line is mean! Does all the big, nasty stuff with ease. Practically turn over half a chicken with this thing Laughing

The line uses the Ridge technology so it does shoot and float well. Even after getting sloppy with my casting at the end of a long day, it still turns the big stuff over. If I'm gonna throw anything from deer hair bass bugs to foot long musky flies, this is my line of choice!

The 40+ 8wt. This line is very versatile. Can do a lot of things! I use this on the TFO Mini Mag and on a 11' 7wt switch as a single hand/overhead line. It seems like you can cast a mile with this thing. What I like the most about it is, the integrated running line. No loops to get caught in the guides. I use this line mainly as a line when I need maximum distance with little backcast room. Also doubles as a decent switch rod line when wanting to do some spey casting.

Skagit Compact 450grn. This is on my 7wt switch. Love these heads! These lines load in close, have tight loops, and are perfect for swinging flies in the region of the Great Lakes that I fish. Short, easy casting heads. Not sure what kinds of sink tips they can handle. The biggest/densest I have fished/casted is 10' of T-11

Scandi Compact 450grn. Use this on a 13' spey rod. Great line when I do not need to dredge big flies with heavy sink tips. Again, a nice, short head that casts easily. I prefer to use poly leaders with this line. Helps anchor the cast better.

Ridge Running line. So far the best running line I have ever tried. I prefer a floating running line and this line floats well thanks to the Ridge technology. Mends and shoots well. Any two hander guys need a line? Give this one a try!

These are the only Airflo lines that I currently have. My local flyshop carries them and I have casted several other single and spey lines and like them all. Have several on the wishlist Laughing