Fly Line

[ChromerRoamer]

Hi all,
I recieved a new Fly-Rod and Reel combo for X-mas and seeing as previous to this, I was a spin-rod fisherman, I was wondering what you guys recommend for line on it. The combo is a 9' 8 weight St. Croix with an Okuma large arbor reel. Ideally I would like to be able to fish both indicator and chuck and duck off of the same rig, but it that's not doable, I'll go for indy. How should I rig it up? Are the "Salmon/Steelhead" taper fly lines really that much better than something a little more affordable? Thanks for the advice!

[BeanOFish]

You can chuck and duck with the floating line, I've done it. By no means does it work that well, but it will get the job done. As for indi fishing, I have two floating lines that I use for my steelhead rods Scientific Anglers GPX on my 7, and SA's Steelhead taper for my 8. Both work really well for me. The steelhead taper seems a little stiffer than the GPX, and both roll cast well. I like the GPX a little bit more than the steelhead taper, but that is primarily that I have only used the later for less than a year. I have heard good things about Rio's nymph taper for indi fishing. Fly lines are all personal preference, and each will provide something a little different than the other. Your best bet would be to go to a shop, tell them what you are looking for out of the line and have them set you up.

[juwannafish]

If you want to do both chuck and duck and indi fishing use amnesia.

[Brown trout]

I too have heard good things about SA lines, need to purchase one myself! I also have heard that the Wulff Triangle Tapers are good lines. Don't be afraid to "overline" your rod, that is put a 9wt line on an 8wt rod - lots of guys claim they help turn over indicators and weighted flies. Something to consider.

If you really do want to chuck-n-duck and fish indi rigs, check into a spare spool for your reel - you can probably pick one up fairly inexpensively, or you can at least keep your eyes open for one.

[Gunnar]

I would recommend the Rio nymph line for your Indi rig/high stick bottom bouncing set up. Then if you want to chuck and duck, I'd pick up an extra spool, and put the Rio shooting line on it. Oh yeah, I'm kinda partial to the Rio stuff:D Good luck, and tight lines.

[ChromerRoamer]

Gunnar (or anyone else who knows)
I'm familar with Indy and Chuck and Duck but what's the "High Stick Bottom Bouncing" you refer to? Thanks! The input so far has been great!

[Gunnar]

As I have known, is bottom bouncing (as similar to chuck and duck) but at very short distances ( 1 to 2 rod lengths ) from your target area using a standard fly line without an indicator. Leaders are usually in the 9 to 12 ft range. When fishing you hold the rod high trying to keep all, or most of your fly line off the water, so there is a more direct contact with the bottom (that's why it's fished at short distances). Also called high stick nymphing. The advantage is using the same line and reel for both Indi and high sticking, just remove the indicator. That's why I recommended the Rio nymph line. It has a very high floating tip that is brightly colored so hypothetically you could use it as an indicator. I'm certainly not an expert on the subject, but I hope this helps. Below are a couple links that should help ya out.
Good luck bro! Gunnar



http://www.steelheadbasics.com/flytechniques.html

http://www.rioproducts.com/product.php?recKey=8