Fly Fishing

Boz · Location: Portland

Had the chance to cast the new Sharkskin flyline by Scientific Anglers yesterday, and was pleasantly surprised... First of all I'll admit I'm generally sceptical of the "buzz products" in the flyfishing industry as these "innovations" generally do little to improve my flyfishing game, yet cost alot more...

This was NOT the case with the new sharkskin line.
My first impression was Wow!
Even though the five weight rod I got to cast the Sharkskin on was not my prefered action/taper I was immediately impressed by the ease of pickup on this line. Then I began double hauling with it...zfffftttt.....ziiinng there went and effortless 70 ft of line...

The new process Scientific Anglers/3M developed is a basically an embossed "pattern" that is built into the line which gives it this unique "sharkskin" texture. This reduces the amount of contact from fly line to rod guides, resulting in less drag and a increased shootability.
The line does make a zip-zinging sound as this textured line slides through the guides, which I easily tuned out while watching my line sail across the room with ease.

I only got to experience the advantages of how this line casts (as I was not casting it on water), and according to Sci Anglers the other advantages are...

These lines are 2-3 times more durable than "standard" lines.

Because of the texture these lines dont break the surface tention of the water, this makes them float higher, and easier to pickup your cast/mend/roll cast you name it...

Sounds good right?
For most folks the downside is the price, retailing for $99 dollars alot of folks will likely not drop the coin on principle. However if the claims of durability stand true there is increased value in that as well...

If you get the opportunity to give this new line a test drive, I'd highly recommend it. As usual it's not going to be for everyone, but to many anglers I know it could be a great tool in the box. Especially when the saltwater lines are released.

Currently I think Sci Anglers makes it in a 5-7wt, but there are more to come including sinking lines...

Stay tuned

ChrisR · Location: Southeast Massachusetts

Sounds awesome. Do they have any special cleaning recommendations? I would think a textured line would hold dirt particles easier than a smooth surface line. And would a standard abrasive pad for cleaning damage the sharkskin texture? Think they'll have it at the show on the 19th and 20th? If it last longer I'd definitely pay the green for a better casting line. I've been pretty disappointed with a lot of what is out there now.

Austin · Posted: Thu 01/10/08 10:13 am Post subject:

Nice boz! i really want to try out this new fly line. how did this line perform for you at close ranges? i would easily drop the cash on this one if it was a good line for everything like distance, shooting, nymphing, roll casting, mending, etc....i am very interested in this line for saltwater sinking line needs.....

ChrisR · Location: Southeast Massachusetts

I checked their site. They say it holds less dirt and cleans with your typical fly line cleaning kits. Looked like they plan on having the trout taper in wf3f to wf8f.

Boz · Location: Portland

Chris-

As for cleaning they recommend good old soap and water...and of course the Sci anglers cleaning pad (which are handy for all flylines)which will not damage the texture of the line.
Important note...You don't want to use flyline dressing on these as it will gum up the nooks and crannies that make this line unique...
I'm sure this line will be at all of the FF show this winter, and folks will be lining up to check it out.

Austin,
The line performed VERY well at close range, but seemed to really shine when let fly on the forward cast. Likely this will become top choice line for those situations where getting it done in one (cast) is the name of the game... Tuna come to mind... Very Happy

I'll get it out on the water soon...

joey · Location: Colorado

I wonder if this line would help with "icing on the guides" in the winter. If there is less friction on the guides this might help? Would be interersted to see if anyone has used it in the cold temps. We had a chance to cast it this past september, and it does make some noise.....pretty cool.

waterwhippa · Location: Upstate, NY

Always been a big fan of SA lines. I have admit i'm a bit skeptical about this one. Glad to hear it fired like a cannon for you. Have to check it out.

Boz · Location: Portland

Joey-
Good question on the ice up factor, if it helped it could be very valuable for the steelhead/winter fisherman.

I'm a big skeptic on this gear too as I said earlier. The line did perform well, and only time will tell on SA's durablility claims...

rhodyflyguy · Posted: Fri 01/11/08 5:16 pm Post subject:

I can't wait for the sinking versions to come out. My favorite line for albies and bonito is a TypeIII sci-anglers, but the coating comes off after 2 months or so. if this line's as durable is people say it is i can't wait.

joey · Location: Colorado

Was chating with the owner of our shop today and he has been fishing a demo for the past few weeks and told me that the line sinks. not just a few feet of it, around 15 feet sinks. I can see this as a problem. Other guide who have used this demo for a while said the same thing. " you can shoot a bunch of line but it sinks." let us know what you find on the water.

Capt.Ahab · Location: Lincoln Maine

Interesting topic here. A friend and I have been talking about this new line for a few weeks, and I think he is on the verge of purchasing one. I have fished the Ridgeline series from Airflo for a few years now, and I've been very impressed with the shoot-ability of the line, so I really have no need for another line that "feels good" to cast. I'll fish Ridgeline as long as they are produced. He, on the other hand, is looking into buying a new rod and looking to pair it with a sharkskin line. One concern arose about the possible additional wear to the guides that could come from a rougher, or more abrasive surface coating passing through them. I would be horrified at the sight of the guides on my biiX disappearing at a rapid rate. BTW, does the sharkskin line hold a "welded loop"? Don't get me wrong, I am interested to see how this line does in the future, but I think I'll avoid trying it myself for a while. Power to the guinea pigs though. How else would we hear any new product news at all? Thanks for the info Boz.

Boz · Location: Portland

Ahab-

According to the rep for SA it will not wear out your guides...but then again what else would he say?
I'd have to think is true...after all its not sandpaper, its a form of PVC. I doubt the embossed PVC on steel would wear on the guides much, unless you're fishing hundreds of days a year, maybe not even then. After all... dirt and grit/sand on flyline probably do way more damage on a day to day basis.

It does come with a welded loop...if you're into 'em.

If I were purchasing this line I'd be more concerned with the Joey's friends problem of the line sinking... Way bigger issue.

If your friend has the money to burn...why not?

Capt.Ahab · Location: Lincoln Maine

I ended up mentioning this thread to him last night to see if he wanted to read some prod. review info. Turns out that he already has read up on this product from a bunch of other test runs, and this was the first news he had heard about the line performing in any way less than stellar. He has seen no other reports of the line sinking, and with a welded loop it makes it all the less likely to be a wicking problem, so I really don't know what to make of the sinking issue. In fact, most of the reviews he has read confirm reports that the line floats very high and easily picks up off the water. I guess he will find out.

I thought that the grooves in the Ridgeline would hold more grit and wear out the guides quicker as well, but that doesn't seem to be the case. I would think the Sharkskin will fare the same.

KodiakCommando · Location: Kodiak, Alaska

Just tested out the line the other day and was not that impressed to be honest.

It did sink around the first 10 feet of line which i didn't like.

Did it shoot line real well, Sure. was the difference in how it shot line for me compared to SA mastery series line or Rio the clauser justify spending 99 bucks, No. If I can get a line for 50 bucks or a line for 100 and the line for 100 only does a little better than i'll choose to save money. If i am concerned about distance i'll work on my casting.

As for the durability claims, as much as i fish and where i'd give it a couple years tops since I hav never had a line up here last more than 2 years and most last a season.

wfosborn · Posted: Fri 02/22/08 2:01 am Post subject:

Wanted to throw in my experiences using the line in the winter up here in Alaska.

It does not help with icing, might even make it worse. My buddy with me using a Cortland line got no icing on his guides while mine froze solid and I had to quit fishing.

On the sinking issue, I've seen it happen in a fast current. On slow waters floats great, but for some reason fast currents seem to grab it and drag it under. I actually find this useful for a lot of the water around here where I need to get deep.

--W

Capt.Ahab · Location: Lincoln Maine

I hate to copy/paste from another site, but this conversation between a few posters on Winston's site was very definitive for my outlook on the sharkskin line:

Indian Rock:
"I just talked to a guide buddy on the left coast that works in a circle of pretty heavy hitter, well known, some well published guides... they have all fished the sharkskin lines now for 70-80+ days and have come to similar conclusions (primarily 8-10 weight steelie and salmon fishing):
1. it initially shoots and floats very well
2. it doesn't hold up... under magnification they see what was described to me as the nubbins starting to be pulled back to create little flaps = lots of friction
3. it does groove the guides, one of their rods (a relatively new rod) has been sent back to Sage for a re-wrap for new guides...
4. the word they got from SA is that it didn't go through their standard product testing prior to market release (for $100 they can afford to replace a few until they get it right?)
5. they have all abandoned the product

I can snag it at wholesale and still doubt I will bother to try it - yet anyway."

RoyC:
"The one thing I always think about when I hear a guide's recommendation is whether or not he is giving you HIS opinion or the opinion of the company he gets his guide discount through."

Indian Rock:
"Every full time guide I know has the opportunity to get guide pricing from all/multiple major manufacturers consecutively, so I don't believe that's an issue."

For what it is worth, I have lost interest in the line due to an awful lot of mixed problems being reported.

tgacga · Posted: Sun 08/31/08 11:00 am Post subject:

I just received one of these lines and have a had a couple chances to use it...I did not have to pay for it which made it a much better line...It shoots well, roll casts great, the first couple feet do break the surface but they do not sink any further than that. The biggest downside to the product is that it wears a groove in your line hand finger that cuts to the point of drawing blood. Will have to tape up next time...the noise is easily tuned out after a couple of trips and I don;t even notice it any more...I will have to, over time, look closely at the ridges to see if they flap over as mentioned above...for free its an awesome line...for 99bucks, I wouldn't own it.

nicko · Posted: Thu 10/30/08 7:32 am Post subject:

Unfortunatly I cannot be as happy about Scientific anglers new lines. I have had them on a rod for most of the summer in south america and I used it with clients quite a bit. The result was good casting, but that was about the only good thing. If you use it for stripping you have to ware protectin becouse it will cut your finger. This problem is easy to solve unlikely the biggest problem. That noise you hear while casting it, actually intacks the guides of the rod. I had to change the first and last guide of the rod in order not to ruin other lines. The shark skin line might be good for the fisherman that don't make it on the river much, because it does help cast and distance, but check your guides at the end of the season.

spector82 · Location: Biddeford ME

Great line for dead drifting dries/nymphs/wets,... but god help your fingers(and rod guides I am sure) if you strip streamers all day, the stuff wears bloody grooves into them,... I used it all fall and was very happy with the way it casts, the noise is annoying as it goes through the guides...so get ready for that.

The looks on other anglers faces as they listen to it can be comical.

It doesn't seem to be as prone to twisting as other Sci Anglers lines, I have had some that just formed one birds nest after another.

bonefishwhisperer · Location: Florida-miami

I have had a couple people using it fishing with me...personally I liked it a lot when I cast their rods to try it out...I like the zing sound myself as I am a shootcaster and rarely false cast...I havent had enough experience using it to know of it breaking down the guides but it sounds plausible...I have enough problems with guides rusting under the epoxy as is Laughing

...as far a cutting the skin I have indeed seen some cuts but again I dont strip line very much at all so no problem for me...it took me forever to find a line that I am comfortable with so change comes very slow for me...this is a great thread and thanks for the new insight...

sim82 · Posted: Fri 06/05/09 8:37 am Post subject: SA sharkskin

Thanks for the information on the SA Sharkskin lines. I have have been thinking about a 9 wt SharkSkin Steelhead for Atlantic salmon. I have not decided yet, I don´t like the fact that the lines sink and wear out your guides quicker than other lines. I have not had this problem on a 3wt set up that I am using Sharkskin on, the line has been fantastic... casting only a few meters less than a 6wt and floating superbly.
If you get any more information on the Steelhead lines in larger weights please post them (good and bad reveiws), as I have still not decided which line to go with...

Thanks

goin2themountains · Posted: Sun 03/07/10 12:03 am Post subject:

I've been fishing the sharkskin wf5f on a Sage flight rod for about a year. Yes, I find the front 10 feet or so breaks the surface, but no more sink than that. I can't find any guide wear, and have never cut a finger with it. Dang sure expensive, but does shoot very nicely. What I really like is the ease of pickup from the water surface as I fish high country lakes alot, and this line strips up very easily from the water with a minimum of disturbance.

kory_k · Location: New York, NY

I have one on my 7 weight and fished it during an epic evening of sand eel striper fishing last summer. It was nonstop action for 4 hours or more until ultimately at 1 in the morning we were worn out and quit with the fish still on the bite. This definitely put a serious test to the line. It definitely shot extremely well but I did extensively cut my fingers. I cut them when I hooked fish and was stripping line to stay tight. After a while I couldn't strip the line through my fingers because of the pain from the cuts so ever since I have made sure to either have stripping gloves or stripping tape to prevent that from happening again. ouch!

rustayy · Location: Islamorada,FL

I have 2 SA Sharkskins, one for a 5 wt TCR and one for a 4 wt SLT. I love both of the lines. They shoot incredibly well, and perform great for just about all situations. I mainly use them for dry fly fishing, and streamer fishing. But, I do not particularly prefer them for nymph fishing. I find other SA lines and Rio lines are better suited for mending especially the Rio Atlantic Salmon line. As far as the Sharkskin helping with iced guides, from my experience fishing in the Sierras, doesn't help really at all......but it is nothing a little bit of Ice Off Paste won't tak ecare of. And, like Joey said, these lines can and will cut your fingers while stripping, so a stripping glove is highly suggested. On the down side, we have had numerous Sharkskins' welded loops fail. Not a huge issue and is easily fixed by adding a butt section to the line, but this may be why your lines are sinking. Check your welded loops, if there is a crack or imperfection in the loop than I suggest fixing it with UV knot sense. If any piece of the line core is exposed, this could be why your lines sink. Simply add some Knot Sense over the exposed core and place in the sun for a quick fix[/quote]

MidwestChrome · Posted: Tue 11/16/10 2:39 pm Post subject:

Sharkskin lines are amazing. I fished the sharkskin line all summer in some very rocky conditions and the line held together better than the rio gold line I was fishing before. As for cutting your finger, it might be uncomfortable for the first week of use but after that you will get calluses on your stripping finger and it wont be uncomfortable. I highly recommend the sharkskin line to anyone in need for a new line.

Patrick
http://flybible.blogspot.com/

c-hip · Location: San Diego, California

From experience...I have used this line for about a month now on my 6 weight that I fish the surf in Southern California. I fish on average 2-3 times per week, and the everyday last week! I purchased the line because of reviews I read and qite honestly, got caught up in getting the new hot, item. After a month here is what I have learned:

1. Get some freaking protection for your fingers!! The line WILL cut you.
2. My casting can improve, but 80 foot cast is do-able for me. This line doesn't offer any more distance than my other 6 weight line.
3. It does not perform significantly better than my other line, but it cost significantly more than my other line.
4. The noise can be annoying.
5. The textured line has left mark on my rod guides after a month.
6. It's not the line for me.